Dragon Age: Inquisition

Its gates forever shut.

Heaven has been filled with silence,

I knew then, 

And cross'd my heart with shame.

--Andraste 1:11

        Tevinter was truly a marvel to be seen, but its beauty was distributed only with a cold eerie feeling that seemed to loom over its inhabitants relentlessly. It was the kind of beauty that would remind one of a forest fire. The buildings were made of polished dark stone, the streets pure cobblestone, and the decorations similar to gothic victorian. Golden statues of hopeless slaves bowing to their masters littered the streets. The one thing able to pull one away from the scenery was the people.

        Each one, if not a slave or a servant, walked with the pompous attitude only comparable to Orlesian nobles. Their staffs consisted of the finest bark, their clothes of the finest silk. None wore armor or traditional mage robes, but instead victorian dresses that were usually black, accented with gold and silver. Instead of the upbeat, vibrant aura of Orlais, however, the feeling emanating from the city was eerie and dark, as if all of this fancy decoration and clothing was a farce to hide the ugly truth of what the city held.

        It was beyond Kadan's experience. Par Vollen was a rather dull place to an outsider's eyes, mainly consisting of trees and water. Even buildings were scarce. But the first difference Kadan noted between Par Vollen and Tevinter was the diversity of clothing. People of the Qun either dawned heavy armor, plain robes, or nothing but a loincloth, whereas Tevinter seemed to hold all of its pride within its beauty. Kadan was not convinced.

        Beautiful though the country may be, she was well aware that mages controlled it. She was also aware of the fact that Tevinter's people were not fond of the qunari, likely because people of the Qun were known to put their mages on a tight leash. Strip away the mages in Tevinter, and all you've got is a horde of helpless slaves and hopeless civilians. 

        It was pathetic.

        Kadan strode through the city streets, her commando unit in tow, with the usual confident strut she possessed. The Arishok had said he'd arranged a meeting with their leaders, and that she was to be the one to conclude their business. Her people and Tevinter's people had been at each other's throats for centuries, but only now that a new Arishok had been appointed did either attempt peace. Kadan, herself, did not expect the mages to comply, nor did she ever even consider making peace with them, but the Arishok's word was law. She would not forsake her duty.

        "State your business." a guard demanded once they'd approached the castle. 

        Kadan wordlessly handed an officially stamped letter to the guard, who snatched it from her hand and gave her a scathing glare. She remained passive in response and watched as the guard scanned his beady eyes over the parchment, a frown on his lips.

        "You can go, but not in this number." he said after he'd finished.

        The Sten turned to her comrades. "You three. With me." she said, gesturing at the three qunari standing patiently at the front lines.

        Her men followed her obediently into the palace. Kadan was not surprised to see several mages draw their staves at the sight of four armed qunari entering their palace, but after a sharp order from one of the head mages to sheathe their weapons, for the qunari were permitted to enter, they reluctantly obliged. 

        As expected, the palace was even more elaborately exquisite than the streets. Tapestries with gold embroidery and the Tevinter emblem embedded into them hung on the walls, as well as multiple portraits of legendary magisters. The floor was made of stone, but a red carpet lay leading up to the staircase. On the altar was a large podium with chairs around it, likely there to house meetings.