Chapter Text
The Hinterlands and their surrounding border communities were by no means fashionable. They had neither the elegance and social draw of Val Royeaux, nor the bustling industry of Denerim, thus leaving the scant few noble families scattered throughout the region quite to their own devices. This was very agreeable for most, as the quiet of the Hinterlands allowed for a level of peace that the cities did not. Any who had grander ambitions for their sons and daughters that sought suitors above their station quickly left the area to try their hand elsewhere.
This is why it was such a shock to find that the long since empty estate of Tarasyl’an Te’las, known locally as Skyhold for it stood grand above the low country as a beacon against the border mountains sky, had finally found a new owner.
“By all respects it seems the fellow, whoever he is, has spared no expense. Lady Montilyet is absolutely beside herself with glee outfitting the place for him”, Commander Cullen Rutherford stated as he rifled through his cards for a third time, hoping to find something better in his hand.
“Oh yeah I bet Ruffles is having the time of her life, and I'd wager my chest hair that Nightingale is loving having all the details about our new neighbour to hold over our heads”, retorted Viscount Tethras.
Lady Cassandra rolled her eyes at her husband, though their company knew it was with amusement rather than derision.
Society was completely flabbergasted when the expat dwarf made his suit known for Lady Cassandra Pentaghast’s hand. Lady Cassandra was by far one of the highest sitting noble ladies in the region, and while the Viscount was extremely well monied, his title was far below her station and he was also somewhat of a controversial figure. What shocked more was that she said yes to his proposal when it came as it was common belief that she despised the Dwarven lord. However those closest to the couple knew better.
“Liliana and Josephine are professionals and will not fall into your trap of idle speculation Varric.”
“Oh settle down Seeker, admit it, you are just as curious as the rest of us and if I did manage to crack one of them you would be first in line to hear the details.”
Cassandra snorted in annoyance, but also did not refute his words.
“Quite frankly I am happy to wait longer for more information on whoever they are. Surely anyone who wishes to pour all that money into a ruin so far from polite society will be nothing but trouble. Better to not get too invested in such an individual’, said Cassandra, glaring at her husband over her cards.
“Ha! My dear Cassandra, look around. The most troublesome individuals for 100 miles in any direction are all sitting around this table with you. I think you enjoy trouble more than you let on”, Dorian Pavus rebutted, smirking at his unamused guest.
Viscount Tethras was not the only expat to find refuge in the Hinterlands. In fact it was a rather popular destination for those seeking to flee from their tyrannical families, or controversial pasts.
Altus Dorian Pavus was one such man.
His father was a high ranking Magister of the Tevinter Imperium who had lofty ambitions for his son. Dorian, however, was far from pleased with the future that his family laid before him and thus fled to the South.
Next to Dorian was his recently acquired husband Captain Iron Bull. Other than Varric, Bull seemed to be the only other individual at the table who was confident in their hand of cards.
“I don’t know, I’m with Cass on this,” Bull began, “I tried to look into the sale and my contacts came up with nothing, and I have damn good contacts. If they couldn't find anything, then this mysterious buyer is either extremely careful, or extremely powerful. Either way, someone like that looking to hide away in the mountains? My bet is either a high ranking Orlesean who supported the wrong side in the civil war, or someone rich from the northern continents going into hiding.”
“Well if it is the latter, then I am not sure we are able to throw stones, Amatus.”
“Which is why neither of us trusted each other when we first met. And why I won’t trust this newcomer either. Even if just at first.”
Dorian rolled his eyes as he sipped his Antivan red, not concerning himself that the rest of his party opted for only tea this early in the day.
“Well with you three sceptical brutes in our company”, he started levelling Cassandra, Cullen and Bull with an exasperated look, “Varric and I will be able to charm our new acquaintance without fear.”
Lady Cassandra opened her mouth as if to chastise Dorian's blasé attitude, however before she was able a knock was heard at the door.
Bull and Dorian looked at each other questioningly, neither expecting company other than those already at the card table.
In the time it took for the group to shake off their confusion, Bull’s footman, Cremicius, had answered the door and was at the room's entrance announcing their unexpected addition.
“Lady Ellana Lavellan, M’lords”, Cremicius announced with an unpracticed bow.
Krem was still getting used to his new occupation now that Bull had settled down and his company disbanded. Most of the regiment, known colloquially as “The Bull’s Chargers”, chose to remain in their Captain’s employ, with Krem being the first to insist upon taking a place in the couple's household.
The men all stood to greet their guest, with Cullen standing much faster than the others. A fact not missed by his companions who gave each other amused and knowing looks at his eagerness.
Dorian, not at all concerned with propriety, dashes forward to embrace the newcomer.
“My beloved cousin! To what do we owe the pleasure”, Dorian cried, taking Ellana into his arms and administering a kiss to each cheek. He did not give her a chance to respond before ushering her further into the room to the card table.
Ellana took her seat at the additional chair Krem quickly brought in, with the gentleman remaining standing until she was comfortably at the table.
“Apologies, I see I'm disturbing your game. Don’t stop on my account.”
“No, no!”, Cullen insists a touch too quickly, “We can start again and deal you in, surely nobody would mind.”
Varric laughs, “Curly just doesn’t want to lose more coin, but I suppose I can concede this round in light of our friend's arrival.”
Cullen had already been slightly flustered, but at Varric’s ribbing he began fully blushing.
Cullen was not unique in his reverence of Lady Lavellan. While the Hinterlands were a quiet region with few romantic prospects, Ellana was a rare jewel even when compared to the debutantes of Orlais. As one of the few single ladies in the area, she would already have had her choice of any eligible bachelor, but her beauty and many talents had every man, and a few women, in the area salivating at the chance to court her.
“I’m afraid I don’t have much by way of time as I am expected in Haven this afternoon to discuss some business with Madame de Fer, but I have news and I knew Dorian would kill me if I didn't divulge it right away.”
Dorian grinned maniacally, “Oh? And what titillating gossip is so important to derail you from your vital errands cousin?”
Ellana returned his grin, “Well my dear what if I told you I had some very exclusive information regarding our future proximate acquaintance?”
The entire party leaned in, including Cassandra despite her earlier attempt to feign disinterest.
“Oh Ellana, you spoil us. We were just discussing said curiosity and our desire to find out more about them.”
“I expected nothing less. Well I won’t leave you in suspense. I was at the library and I overheard First Director Fiona and a few of her colleagues from the coalition discussing a missive she received looking for a governess. A governess who would take employment at Skyhold.”
The group at large found this information astonishing. In none of their idle, or less than idle, speculation had they anticipated a child.
“Oh that's no fun!” Dorian exclaimed in mock frustration. “No eligible new prospects to be foisted upon the marriage mart this social season, how dull.”
“I wouldn’t be so certain Dorian, just because the individual has a family doesn’t mean there won’t be other trouble brought about by their presence. And besides, a governess might still be needed for a young person even if they are of marrying age.”
Varric made a melodramatic grasp for his chest in faux astonishment, “Cassandra! And I thought such gossip was beneath you.”
Cassandra glared at her husband, though her cheeks had a slight blush at being caught. She opened her mouth to jab back, however Bull took over the conversation before she could manage a rebuttal.
“Did Fiona mention anything else about the missive Boss?” Bull asked, addressing Ellana.
“Only a little. She seemed annoyed that none of her suggested candidates for the position met this person’s standards. Apparently none of them had enough experience with world history or ancient Elvhen language.”
At that Dorian perked up.
“Ah so not just a child, but a child with Elvhen heritage. I’m back to being interested.”
There were a few Elvhen individuals living in the Hinterlands, but not many, and even fewer who were members of high society. In order to find company among her own race Lady Lavellan found she often needed to step outside the confines of her social class.
“Not necessarily, perhaps they are an Orlesean with a fascination with elves. It seems to be a fashionable subject thanks to Empress Celene.” Cullen interjected, speaking for the first time since Lady Lavellan joined their table.
“My thoughts exactly, Commander,” Ellana agreed. “Though I would be more than happy to have another elf to socialize with at soirées other than Sera, I fear it is far more likely they are a shem with an Elvhen obsession than one of the people.”
“Well I suspect we shall find out soon enough, Lady and Sister Montilyet have planned to kick off this year's social season with a dance at their estate and reportedly they have extended an invitation to Skyhold which has been accepted,” Cullen revealed.
The rest of his companions all made exclamations at once at this revelation, even Ellana who seemed more in the know than any of them.
Cassandra was so affronted she gave the Commander a hard thwack on the arm.
“And when were you planning on revealing this to us Cullen, when we had finally gone mad with curiosity? Why did you not tell us immediately?” She questioned, her Nevarren accent getting thicker with her passion.
“We were speculating about what type of person they might be, not where they might show up!”
“Only because none of us knew that information, Curly.” replied Varric.
“How did you find that out anyway Cullen? I would be interested in knowing how you got insider information when my contacts couldn't”, Bull asked.
Cullen straightened up slightly trying to obscure his embarrassment, “well if you must know, I had enquired with the Montilyets when we would next be able to… congregate in a formal... dancing sort of setting and they revealed the information to me. They then made me swear to secrecy which I have now broken.”
“Oh for shame Cullen!” Ellana teased.
Dorian looked like a cat with the cream at Cullens confession.
“And why, my dear Commander, were you enquiring about such a thing? If I recall correctly, you’ve never been one to embrace dancing, and you’ve shown quite a bit of disdain for the social season in the past. What, I wonder, has changed this year?” Dorian mocked in feigned curiosity.
Dorian knew exactly why Cullen was so eager this year, in fact, everyone and their mother knew why Cullen was suddenly so eager.
It was no secret that Cullen had garnered affection for Lady Lavellan for a long while, but now that he was finally retired from the infantry with a generous commission, and settled on his own small estate, he fully intended to pursue her formally.
Not that he wanted her to know that, at least not yet.
Cullen did not cop to the bait and instead completely ignored Dorian.
“Well with that, I am afraid I must take my leave. Thank you very much for hosting me gentlemen. Lady Lavellan, I would happily escort you to Madame de Fers to ensure your safe keeping.”
“Thank you Commander, I am certain the road has been perfectly safe as of late, but I would relish the company” Ellana replied.
They all rose from the table and made the appropriate farewells. The Viscount and Viscountess chose to depart as well, eager to be alone so they could discuss the day's revelations.
Finally alone Bull and Dorian had the opportunity to dissect the day's meeting as they attended to their nightly routine.
“Well I must admit, I am slightly disappointed in the information Ellana disclosed. A family is not likely to bring any interest to our lives this season. Good thing we have poor Commander Cullen to invest our attention in with his fumbling attempts at romance.”
When Bull didn't answer immediately Dorian ceased his speculation and turned his full attention to his husband who was staring deeply into the fire.
“Amatus? What troubles you?”
Bull turned slightly to acknowledge he heard Dorian's question.
“I keep trying to put aside my unease, but I have this feeling. Call it a soldier's instinct. Nothing about this new neighbour has seemed normal. I have contacts and spies from here to Saharon, ex Qunari, Imperium freedom fighters, Orlesean assassins. No one knows anything. The bill of sale was signed by a proxy whose prior history I couldn’t find evidence of, and I can't find a single bill of lading for anything being shipped up to Skyhold in order to pinpoint where they’re moving from.”
Bull turned his full attention to Dorian and leveled him with a serious look.
“Kid in tow or not, people like this? Those who know how to hide a papertrail, how to keep to the shadows, are dangerous. I just don’t know what kind of danger, but I am going to find out.”
Dorian bit back his desire to inform Bull just how alluring he found him when he reverted back to his Captain persona, instead trying to take this information seriously.
“We have both dealt with our fair share of danger, so have most of our friends. Whatever comes from the tenets of Skyhold, whether it be mindless society drama or something truly nefarious, I am certain we will find a way to mitigate the worst of the damage. We always have.”
Bull embraced his husband, sighing with relief at his concerns being taken seriously.
“Well,” Dorian began after a moment, not being able to help himself. The urge to make a quip to ease the anxious air in the room being too great, “a little bit of danger at least means I won’t be bored this season now that I am tied down.”
Bull let out a single hearty laugh before manhandling his husband to bed.
Bull was not the only one experiencing the same tense apprehension. The air in the Hinterlands crackled with anticipation like lightning on a dry summer day. Whether vocalized or not, everyone seemed to understand that this social season would be thrilling one way or another thanks to the incoming strangers.