Inhibited, Exhilarated

Chapter 4

"When we're back in Denerim on Monday, I'll ask you to look into the application papers of a number of workers who can't seem to get through the Ministry's people for their training program enrollment."

Ellana looks up from her mobile at Mr. Harel sitting before her. The loud buzz of the jet engines for the past two hours suddenly interrupted by the sound of his voice. He has been quiet during their flight up until that point. When Ellana saw him producing his laptop and begin typing as soon as they took a seat in the private jet, she thought it best to let him work in peace and avoid unnecessary small talk that could distract him. Ellana writes a small reminder of this new task in her mobile calendar and nods at him in acknowledgement.

"Also, I've been ordered to do something, anything, to appease Tevinter. So if we spot representatives of the Imperium, please make a space in my agenda for a meeting or a coffee or something. Alright?"

"Of course," Ellana says and writes a new entry in her calendar.

Mr. Harel looks... there's something in him that Ellana can't quite pinpoint. Next to his usual frown and tense posture, he seems particularly out of sorts. The weekend ahead of them is almost fully booked with presentations, meetings, and attendance to events all in the context of the Trade Fair. She's seen him in similar conferences during the past four years. His usual poise and disposition when representing Wellsprings before the cameras and hundreds of attendees tends to be so impeccable as to be misunderstood with arrogance. The man's focus can be razor sharp when talking about a topic he's proficient at, like lyrium and international commerce. Yet what she's just heard could be the reason for his current mood. Ellana remembers his meeting with the Minister of Energy and Telecommunications the day before. Afterwards, Mr. Harel went directly to the Workers' Union in Amaranthine so she didn't see him until the evening. From the looks of it, the Minister seems to have given him a proper dressing-down. The news from Tevinter the last few days is disquieting, to say the least. Images of makeshift barricades on fire in the streets, crushed abandoned cars, ambulances and fire trucks speeding up through the mess, their sirens cutting the air at full, chilling volume. Hospital nurses and doctors attempting reanimation on patients originally connected to life support... The mighty Imperium of Tevinter reduced to total collapse. Who is really responsible for this? Their government for refusing to fulfill their part of the contract with Wellsprings, thus risking a lyrium shortage? Or Mr. Harel for having ordered the interruption of their supply?

For the rest of the flight Ellana decides not to dwell on the subject, lest the anxious ball at the pit of her stomach worsens, making her fail at her tasks out of sheer stress. Instead she tries to enjoy the breakfast they're served and watches through the window as they fly above cotton clouds. Mr. Harel barely touches the cinnamon roll and cappuccino he's served. If there's a sign he's not being himself this morning, not throwing himself at a sweet pastry like a famished beast should be it.

They land in Val Royeaux some time after midday. The hired chauffeur is awaiting them as scheduled, ready to take them to the hotel. As they exit the airport, Ellana spots a small group of journalists and their cameras pointed at them. When they park at the hotel, the situation is no different. Mr. Harel wears his sunglasses and takes a deep breath before getting out of the car. The hotel's guards posted at the main entrance hurry to their rescue, pushing the journalists backwards and ensuring a narrow path for them to walk in. Ellana manages to hear some of the voices shouting questions and fishing for a statement from Wellsprings' CEO. "Mr. Harel, what does it feel like to bring Tevinter to heel?" "Mr. Harel, what do you have to say to the families of hundreds of patients dying in hospitals throughout the Imperium for lack of lyrium for their devices?" "Mr. Harel, Tevinter representatives attending the Trade Fair have expressed their wish for a private audience with you, will you accept their invitation?"