[Dragon Age] Letters To Henry

5 - The Storm

Lady Pentaghast feels herself begin to dither when another cold gust of wind swirls around them in the usually protected courtyard of Skyhold. Even their tall walls and the usually sheltering Mountains around them were failing to keep the weather completely at bay. She glances up at the banners that are flapping angrily above them, against the stone front of the Fortress each time they are caught by another gust of wind, the flag polls making a groaning noise as they sway dangerously in the approaching storm. The Seeker feels the Commander move at her side, she looks to see that he too is looking cold but still trying to remain as upright and proud as the Commander of the Inquisitor army should.

Cassandra smiles to herself, everyone had gone to a lot of trouble for the Inquisitor for his brother's imminent arrival. There they all stood, dressed in their finest armour in the yard and the by the front gates of Skyhold. The Seeker lets her eyes rest on Lord Trevelyan who is stood far from where she stands, with the Ambassador Lady Montilyet who has been placed in charge of meet and greet. Cassandra wondered if this was necessary, she knew the Inquisitor was desperate to set his eyes on his brother and didn't think the public display and greeting was needed. Keeping up appearances she muses, they were trying to appear to be official and like a true force.

"I can no longer feel my toes," Cullen whispers to her making her smile again. "I may need to have them removed if he doesn't get here soon." The Commander adds with a quiet chuckle from the Spymaster, Leliana who also stands with the pair.

"He sent word three days ago, he won't be far." Leliana whispers, quickly smoothing out her sleeves before placing her hands clasped behind her back again. The Seeker watches The Commander look behind him to make sure that his men are all still standing to attention and look perfect.

"He'll be here," Cassandra whispers to her friends moving to rest her hand on the grip of the sword that is hung at her waist, she glances again up at the flags that are whipping above their heads and sees that the rest of their friends and supporters have all gathered above them to watch for his arrival.

"Doesn't Lady Montilyet look pretty today?" Leliana whispers, making the Commander chuckle. "Maybe Henry will think she is you," She adds receiving a snort from Cassandra. "Remind me again why you are stood with us and she is standing at the gates, with him?"

"It would be inappropriate for me to be standing with him. I'm an advisor.. I'm one of you.. We aren't married and I'm not the lady of the house." Cassandra replies leaning to knock her shoulder against the Commanders when he laughs quietly. "She is his Ambassador, it's her job to deal with guests." She huffs again when she sees Josephine place her gloved hand on the Inquisitor's arm laughing at something he has said.

"You are not just an advisor," The Commander says giving her shoulder another nudge. "Maybe you should apply for the position of Ambassador." Cullen smiles wiggling his fingers slightly before placing it back onto the grip of his sword.

"I am perfectly fine as I am." Cassandra hisses feeling her teeth start to chatter, her armour was warm but not quite warm enough against the freezing wind. "Lady Montilyet can parade him about and dress him up all she likes." The Seeker adds settling her eyes on her lover again, she watches him stand as proud as he can be, dressed in his finest coat but notices that he holds his hands nervously at his sides. "She can touch him and gaze at him, but he's all mine." Lady Pentaghast smiles when she sees him turn to quickly look for her, looking happier when he sees that she is still not far from his side.

"This feels an awful lot like the Winter Palace." Cullen chuckles receiving a smile from his friend, Cassandra had very fond memories of that night and the time she had spent with Lord Trevelyan.

The Seeker looks over to the Inquisition horses that have been brought out from their stables and are being held onto by the grooms, everything it seemed was being placed on show today. She sees them stamping anxiously, getting spooked by the wind that gusts around them setting them on edge. Cassandra listens to the strange whaling sound that Skyhold seems to make when a storm is about to hit, glad that soon they would be inside the safety of its walls and being able to keep the worst of the weather away from them. The Seeker sighs again thinking how wonderful it will feel to be sat with their special guest, enjoying a feast and the warmth of the Great Hall.