What Secrets Await

Chapter 32: Thief in the House of Lies

Upstairs in the main room, Cassandra was especially happy to remove the velvet uniform in favor of her Seeker-emblazoned breastplate. The counselors-- Cullen, Leliana, and Josephine-- had to keep their uniforms on due to their stations and roles in the main hall, but allowed themselves refreshments while discussing upcoming plans.

Maeva-- face sans vallaslin -- removed the leather coat and velvet shirt, and the leg wrappings. Her assigned outfit for the next mission was folded in a neat stack. The servants of Winter Palace nobles did not wear a specific uniform, but their dress code being of simple cotton and canvas clothes with basic shoes visually separated them from the finery of the Court and its guests.

Ellana came in, short of breath and face flushed as she removed the gold lace mask from her face. A small crowd of giggling helper girls followed and began plucking at the ties that held her dress together. Some ties were already loose, which made Maeva smirk. She almost laughed when she saw Cullen look at Ellana and blush, and then leave the room in a hurry.

Once dressed, Maeva carefully laid the borrowed velvet chemise and beautiful leather tunic near the travel chests. She stored her leg wrappings in her backpack where it was tucked away in a corner of the large room.

All that remained was the ornate dagger Cassandra had lent her. Maeva looked around but Cassandra was already gone. Should she bring the dagger on her next mission? It was far too fancy for a palace servant to carry, as far as she knew. But, better to have a weapon than not. She tucked it inside the band at the back of her pants and covered the hilt with the hem of the shirt.

The rest of the room bustled with ongoing wardrobe changes. She recognized the retinue's latest armor and robe choices, but there was a new element: they each wore a mask of Orlesian style. While most of Orlesian high class wore face masks regularly, it gave the Inquisition a superior advantage. All of Thedas recognized Ellana Lavellan and her bright red full-face vallaslin . When her hand sparked green, everyone was reminded that she was the only person that could close the rifts. Defying those telltale signs, Ellana wore gloves and hid behind a full-face silver mask. She also concealed her long blonde hair beneath one of the larger headwraps of latest noble fashion.

Excitement buzzed through Maeva, fueled by the subterfuge she and the Inquisition practiced. It was also reinforced by her intimate experience not even an hour earlier. Sighing contentedly, she stretched her arms and back, double-checked her lockpicking set where it was tied to her belt, and headed for the door.

Outside the bedroom, Solas had mysteriously changed already and stood speaking to Cole at one of the hall. Closer by, Varric was in deep discussion with Vivienne and Dorian. While only a few members of the Inquisition formed Ellana's retinue, many others had joined them in Orlais for various reasons. That Maeva hadn't seen some of them earlier in the day made her wonder what their missions were.

Downstairs, the Nightingale motioned her to approach.

"Let's go over your next mission," said Leliana as they walked slowly through the halls of the villa, heading toward the back door. "As you are to be a servant local to Orlais you must enter through the Servant's Quarters. Find a place where people are working, and blend in with them.

"You need to find the quarters of this person." Leliana held out a small scrap of paper with a name written on it. Comtesse de Millesaisons.

"Countess de Meelsayzohn. "

"Comtesse de Millesaisons, " Leliana corrected, emphasizing the correct pronunciation. "The Comtesse is a valuable ally and frequenter of the Imperial Court. She is about to be framed for theft and treason. Should that be achieved, we will lose her agency and benefits. However, should the evidence be missing when she is accused..."