Sisters of Tevinter

Court Jester: Part II

  The elfmaid's voice trembled, soft and horror stricken. Jor's throat constricted in a tangle of suspicion and pity. "Who? Who wants you dead?" 

  "I know too much." The woman shook her head frantically. "She doesn't want the Court to know, or the other servants--"

   "Tell me. Please, this is very important." 

    "Briala," the elf choked out. 

    The way this name kept slipping through people's mouths made it sound like the name of a ghost. Jor shook her head. "Why would the servant want you dead?" 

    "I know... she fell into favor with the Empress." 

    "How would that link her to the assassins?" Why would a favored slave want to kill their mistress? 

    "...It did not last long. Something happened. Celene kept her close... in bed." The elf shook his head, disgusted and distraught. "There are others who know, the Empress tried to keep it quiet, treating none of us differently-- we are only servants. Shadows at whim."

    Jor blushed, coughing as she shook her head. That's kind of fucked, isn't it?  "You should leave here, find somewhere safe. The palace has been breached."

   The elfmaid stumbled to her feet, still quivering with fear as she ducked her head and hurried past Jor's companions at the door and disappearing into the darkness of the hall. The Inquisitor rose, brushing off her sleeves-- just as the massive bells of the palace clocktower tolled midnight. 

     "I think it's time we revisit the party," Jor murmured. "I need to speak to Leliana." 

    They made their way through the apartments and down twisting flights of stairs. They only had a few moments before the second bell would chime, announcing them to be truly late. The companions shucked off their armor in the same closet outside the vestibule, setting aside weapons and hastily dabbing at clothes and faces. 

    Varric tossed Jor a rag and Solas set down a small pitcher of water. The Inquistor dipped the cloth in the basin and reached up to smear away the paint on Bull's shoulder as he rubbed the remaining pigment from his nose. Varric handed Solas a towel as the elf handed him the belt of potions in trade. 

    The qunari cast Jor a rueful smirk and tossed her her mask, shrugging into his formal jacket once more. "Back to the golden cage." 

    The Inquisitor gave a wry laugh and shooed them all away. "Go back, tell Leliana, find Kaisen and Josephine if you can. Alert Cullen to the Venatori presence quietly. I don't want to start a panic."

    "What will you do?" Bull asked, lingering in the doorway as Varric tugged Solas away by his arm, muttering. 

     "Look pretty, I guess." Jor smiled bitterly. "I'm here to entertain. When I can, I'll sneak into the servant's quarters, dig up more on Briala." Struck by a sudden thought, she reached for the gilded blade at her belt, bearing the crest of Gaspard de Chalon. She held it out to him. "Here, keep this safe-- hidden if you can. It might come in handy later, in negotiations. If the Venatori don't slit us all open first." 

    Bull took the blade from her, frowning as he tucked it into the folds of his scarlet lapels. "Sure, boss. Just don't get chucked off any more balconies." 

    "Deal. Don't worry, I've got it." Jor took hold of her side's handle on the door. His hand was on the other knob, opposite her. She raised an eyebrow. "Try not to behead any of the nobles."

     Bull grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it." He let her shut the door. 

     She only had a few moments before the tolling of the next bell, three minutes tops. She stripped off her armor and coat, laying her daggers lovingly over the leather and cotton before sighing. She scrubbed her hands in the small basin of water, then tucked herself back into the sheath of seafoam silk and wraps of golden gossamer.