Inhibited, Exhilarated

Chapter 3

"My reasoning behind this measurement is, ser, that if we allow Tevinter to breach contract, then any other Wellsprings' partner will follow suit."

Solas squares his posture, holding both hands behind his back and his head up high. The piercing glare of the Minister of Energy and Telecommunications is pinning him since the moment he walked into his office that morning. Solas swallows hard and focuses his eyes in the direction of the horizon, choosing to focus his attention on the painting hanging from the wall right behind the Minister. Many times he has been told that whenever he holds himself this way, he resembles a military general rather than a CEO. People like to talk, and Solas is one of the favorite topics of Ferelden media, much to his dislike.

"We may not like to admit it, but whatever Tevinter does, the rest of Thedas takes notice. Ferelden cannot tolerate a breach in contract with the country's first lyrium trading company," he adds, his voice level but commanding. "It's not only the billions we stand to lose if this were allowed to pass which, may I remind you, we sorely need. It's also a matter of standing our ground."

"Ferelden cannot afford a diplomatic crisis with the Imperium, Mr. Harel!" the Minister retorts beside himself. "Do you have any idea what your decision has cost our relationship with Tevinter? The whole country is in blackout! Industries on standby, traffic accidents, schools and universities closed, riots in the streets, hospitals' life support devices dead!" The Minister stands up from his desk and paces the length of his office like a caged lion. Or a cornered beast. "PM Antonescu sent us notice they're not renewing our treaties. He was also kind enough to let us know they've in fact decided to move their warships to our coasts. Amaranthine already has them in sight."

Solas breaks a sweat. He clears his throat. "With all due respect, ser. Tevinter has been waiting for an excuse to wage war on us from the moment we brokered our deal of exclusivity with Orzammar from under them."

The Minister removes his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose. As he wears them again, he looks at Solas with what appears to be his last threads of patience.

"I know that. We all do. Believe me, nobody has forgotten what you've done for the country, Mr. Harel. Yet this is a different matter. You're fixing this problem you started by resuming the lyrium supply to Tevinter immediately. That's an order."

Solas can feel the moment a vein snaps in his neck. He clenches his jaw and makes two tight fists of his hands still clasped behind his back.

"That's not the message Ferelden wants to send to the rest of Thedas, ser."

The Minster walks towards him, standing in his personal space. The human has to look up to face him. Solas knows he's considered a rarity for an elf, whose height normally sits on the short side. Some sensationalist papers have gone as far as to speculate he must be a descendant of ancient elves, those who countless eras ago walked Elvhenan like gods on Earth. Even if that were true, right here and now Solas must admit the reality that in his job, he answers to a human. A representative of the Ferelden government. 49% of Wellsprings' actions are privately owned and those interests have a few seats in the company's Directive Board, but the last word about its ultimate decisions and direction is always taken by the Monarch.

The Minister chuckles. "You wouldn't be so arrogant as to presume to know better than the King, would you now, Mr. Harel?" he taunts.

"In this matter, I do, ser."

The Minister lets out a disbelieving chuckle, shaking his head. "Yesterday His Majesty requested the Board to suggest candidates for your replacement." The Minister pauses and studies Solas' reaction to his words. He blinks once, schooling his face, yet deep inside the knot in the pit of his stomach is beginning to ache like a punch of a dwarven golem. "I doubt you knew that and I probably shouldn't have told you, but despite your... attitude, I happen to like you."