A Visit (Open)

[Leliana]

She had traveled very far, more miles then she could count on her fingers and toes. But she had to some how get her mind off troubling things, she was worried about Empress Celene. She was sure it was getting even harder for her to be around, with the war going on. She had seen much pain in everyone, seeing people starving. People dying, and it broke her heart. She wanted to be able to do much more, but she felt so lost right now. She knew able men and even women, were battling to protect there home. Which was amazing to see, the children were in hiding. For those who can afford to ship there children away have.

But as she got to Denerim, she was looking to see if the empress had left her any word. She didn't know the state of the empress, but grew worried. She saw the empress as an Allie and a friend, the information she had was a mixture of good and bad news. Though she didn't know which would she would express first, she hadn't found Hawke. But the longer she was on her journey, the more she saw how despite people were in Orlais. But she was proud of what she saw, so far no one was backing down. As she walked into the kingdom, her hand on the hilt of her sword. She was let into the area, her eyes scanning the area, wondering who she may bump into.

[Empress Celene I]

Things in Denerim were beginning to look bleak. Alistair had left her for his quest and Ky had not yet returned to her side. Surely they were safe, but the Empress’ stomach was in knots thinking about what could be going on at this time. The palace was becoming claustrophobic; she couldn’t breathe while behind the stone walls any longer. Celene was ready to scream. She ran to her quarters and ripped off her finery changing into something that would hide her better. A woman stepped out of the servant’s door with a smile on her face.

She was dressed in a simple dark blue gown, with a lighter blur cape covering her shoulders. The hood was pulled up placing her lovely face in shadow. Celene was smart enough to hide among the people, she looked like one of them if she wore the right clothes and it was a way to escape if only for a little while. She had left her bow at home, but she had a knife in both boot, and a short dagger at her belt. With Ky away she would need to protect herself from harm.

Pale blue eyes settled on a face she knew from home. It was stranger to see Leliana here, but she knew better than to say anything at this moment. The bard had once been her ally but now such things weren’t certain. Gespard could have sent the bard here to kill her for all Celene knew. She decided to follow the woman, she was a wonderful tracker thanks to Ky’s teachings and she knew it would be almost impossible to spot her from the distance she was keeping from the other woman. She would wait to see if it was safe before she approached Leliana.

[Leliana]

Leliana sighed some unsure of where the empress was, she walked out onto the balcony and looked down. Closing her eyes, there was a stillness that could almost deafen you. No one was here which was very odd, she was still on the empresses side. She would never betray an Ally, watching guards she didn't know where to go or what to do. Hearing no birds singing there songs, a soft melody escaped her own lips. She was told years ago, her voice as very angelic. Could bring the music out of any soul, though she didn't know if that was true. Or just a nice compliment for her, but she stopped the melody and spoke to herself.

"I hope you are safe Empress, these are dark times as you certainly know. I wish I could find you, to tell you how your people are doing. But to also show you that I'm still your Ally, in these hard times everyone must stick together. Rather you are royalty or just a simple peasant, I know where my loyalties lie. Please maker, hear my prayer. I pray that you look out for Orlais, but also look out for Empress Celene, she is a good woman. And will make a difference in this war, and please show her that I am still her loyal friend and Allie. And may those closest to her find be protected by my prayer, thank you Maker."

Sighing some she opened up her eyes, placing her hands on the rail of the balcony. Wishing she knew where she was to go from here, if she couldn't give the empress word. She wouldn't leave a letter, feeling it was to dangerous to do so. If she was being hunted, she would hate herself if she caused the empress harm in any way.

[Empress Celene I]

The song reached Celene’s ears causing her to smile. Leliana had always had the most beautiful voice that Orlais could boast. There had once been a time when she had called upon the bard for every event she held to sing and tell tales. The song ended and Celene was close enough that she heard the woman’s words. "I hope you are safe Empress, these are dark times as you certainly know. I wish I could find you, to tell you how your people are doing. But to also show you that I'm still your Ally, in these hard times everyone must stick together. Rather you are royalty or just a simple peasant, I know where my loyalties lie. Please maker, hear my prayer. I pray that you look out for Orlais, but also look out for Empress Celene, she is a good woman. And will make a difference in this war, and please show her that I am still her loyal friend and Allie. And may those closest to her find be protected by my prayer, thank you Maker."

Celene ducked under the balcony so Leliana wouldn’t be able to see her face. Carefully she changed her voice so that it sounded roughed and she hid her accent. Thankfully being in Ferelden had taught her a thing or two. ”Tell me why do you see this Empress? Shouldn’t you be kneeling to Gespard?” Celene knew that she sounded nothing like herself. If someone were to overhear them they would think her a commoner of Denerim, she looked more like a merchants daughter than the Empress she was. Celene desperately wished that Ky was with her, it would make things much easier.

The elf had a knack for hearing truth or lies, and it was always her opinion that the Empress respected the most. Ky had been there since the beginning and she was the only one around that Celene knew that she could trust without a single doubt.

[Leliana]

Leliana had no idea she was being watched, sometimes she wished she had the hearing like elves did. Her hand was ready to draw her sword, but when she turned around to see a figure standing behind her. And asking her about Gespard, and hearing his name made her skin crawl. She hated Gespard, he was nothing but a big bully that wanted to make peoples lives hell. Looking down for a moment, Leliana didn't know exactly how to word this. But looking at this "stranger" she sighed some. Looking up at the sky for a moment, figuring out what to say. She was protective over the empress, and would be till death.

"Gespard is nothing but a big bully who thinks he knows everything, he is a blight in itself. If I had a chance id cut his head off, and put it on a pike. From what I know about the empress, she is the true leader of our people. And I would tell that right to Gespard's face, I am not afraid of death. But I am afraid of failing empress Celene, I'm not as strong as men who fight in her honor. But I fight in her honor, I speak on her behalf to those who have lost faith. I am proud of her, no matter how hard things get. She has been able to lead us out of some of the hardest situations, I have faith that she can lead us out of Gespard's hands. And it would be an honor and privilege to be one she calls friend and one who fights in her honor"

Her words crystal clear and very true, she put her hand down from her sword. And wondered who this stranger was, she couldn't see the strangers face. And the body was hidden from view, looking down for a moment she sighed sadly. Leaning against the rail, and if she had to die for serving the empress, then so be it.

[Empress Celene I]

She looked startled, which surprised Celene slightly. She was a good sneak but she hadn’t known herself to be that good. Then again despite her royal upbringing she had been taught many things in the city streets of Orlais. "Gespard is nothing but a big bully who thinks he knows everything, he is a blight in itself. If I had a chance id cut his head off, and put it on a pike. From what I know about the empress, she is the true leader of our people. And I would tell that right to Gespard's face, I am not afraid of death. But I am afraid of failing empress Celene, I'm not as strong as men who fight in her honor. But I fight in her honor, I speak on her behalf to those who have lost faith. I am proud of her, no matter how hard things get. She has been able to lead us out of some of the hardest situations, I have faith that she can lead us out of Gespard's hands. And it would be an honor and privilege to be one she calls friend and one who fights in her honor"

Leliana had a lovely speech, but then again as a bard she was famous for her tales. This could all be some story to get the truth of where Celene was hiding. The words rang with truth but for someone whose life was made by telling stories it would be easy to confuse one who had lived a sheltered life. ”What if I told you I knew where your empress was? What would you say then? Would you swear fealty or would you kill her at Gespard’s wishes?” Celene knew that the game she was playing was a tricky one but she had no choice.

Ferelden wasn’t safe anymore, not with Alistair gone. The thought of him made her throat tighten but she shoved the emotion away. Her heart would break if she thought of him too much. He was gone from her side, and she had hated every second of it that she had endured thus far.

[Leliana]

She listened to him kindly, thinking for a moment she didn't know who this person was. She began to think, and when the person asked what "he did" she grew confused and started to really think. Taking a deep breath she sighed a bit, she wouldn't bow before the Empress only out of protection to her. Running her fingers in her hair, as she looked up at the sky. She had seen so many things lately, all bad. She needed to hear good news about something, so she decided to say what she did.

"I would be happy, I would not bow to her however. Just in case there were spies who wished her dead, I would hope she would forgive me for not showing the proper respect. I would lay down my life for her, but where ever she is I just hope she is safe. I had an update about how her people were doing, id leave her a letter. But the wrong people may read it, Ive always been very protective over the Empress. I may not look like much, but id protect her with my own life. Lay it down without a moments hesitation. Perhaps I'm just stupid, foolish and just destined to die."

Leaning against the rail, she crossed her arms and began to think about many things. About her love, about this Hawke. Starting to think that perhaps she would never find her, never say never she would always be told. But lately it was very difficult to just let herself get caught up in everything.

[Empress Celene I]

The woman before her looked stressed as if the world was crumbling around her. Honestly it made Celene feel bad for her. It was obvious she was one of her own people and on top of that she was one who was loyal to the core. How in the world could she not feel pity? "I would be happy, I would not bow to her however. Just in case there were spies who wished her dead, I would hope she would forgive me for not showing the proper respect. I would lay down my life for her, but where ever she is I just hope she is safe. I had an update about how her people were doing, id leave her a letter. But the wrong people may read it, Ive always been very protective over the Empress. I may not look like much, but id protect her with my own life. Lay it down without a moments hesitation. Perhaps I'm just stupid, foolish and just destined to die."

Celene stepped out into the woman’s line of sight, a slight smirk on her lips. It had been a long time since she had looked upon one of her people and she was happy to do it now. ”You would be wise to hide your reaction. But know this, your Empress is well, and she will regain her place in Orlais whether Gespard likes it or not.” With that Celene pulled back her hood slightly, showing who she was before pulling it back into place.

[amras]

Of all the times to be running low on supplies, this had to be one of the worst places to do so. This was Denerim, the capital of Ferelden! Though to be honest, Amras wanted to go back here someday. Depressing as it is, this is where he was born. Amras looked over his shoulder quite often here, in part of staying away from templars, and for a more personal reason. He always felt as if his mother was whispering in his ear and that she disappeared each time he would turn and look. Impossible of course, his mother died during the Blight he found that out through contacts years ago. Though there was really nothing for him here other than food and water now he still felt his heart connected to those alienage gates.

He'd remember as a child trying to climb over the walls but always falling back down. It was as if the maker used his invisible hands to slam back down. He'd often be by himself or with the other elven children just waiting for his mother to come home from her shift, waiting for another story from her as he went to bed. But his time here was short, one accidental shock to guards behind and the world, along with Amras made the discovery that would change his world forever. It felt like yesterday when he clawing at a templar trying to break from from his grasp, stretching outward to his mother.

Amras shook his head, this place was empty to him now and nothing could change that. If he went to the Alienage he would likely be reported to the templars. Alienage elves were not like the Dalish. While both loved the idea of a community being a family, Alienage elves did not want a mage in theirs. The Dalish however, now they accepted him, found worth in what most others labeled a curse from the Maker.

Amras could not help but look conspicuous. His clothes were not the kind worn by Alienage elves and he had a staff. Amras was however clever enough to lean on his staff as if it were not for magic but as a fancy cane or walking stick. He had some cloth wrapped around the monstrous head on the staff, a way of making it look like a comfortable grip on the handle. He wished he had undergone the vallaslin so he could act like a Dalish coming in to trade. But it was just one of those things he had never gotten around to. It took longer for him to be considered to through the rite of blood writing, he was born in a shem village after all. But he felt the need to wander from his tribe to find himself around the time they considered him adult enough to go through the process.

Amras had to make due with what he looked like. He would act like a mercenary. He would not be harassed by the guards for fear of inviting the wrath of a gang or syndicate and most would be intimidated enough to stay away from him. Amras held his head high, puffed out his chest a bit and walked with a strong stride towards a merchant's booth. As he moved along he saw two lovely shemlen women conversing, isolated from everyone else. Raising an eyebrow, Amras could not help to find this appearing...shady, he had no evidence of any goings on however so he walked on by but kept an open ear. With ears like Amras, he could pick up a lot. As he scowled at the merchant for not wanted to provide service for an elf, the salesman wised up and put the supplies in the sack. Amras let out an agitated sigh and slammed his coins on the table.

He walked closer to the two women but kept enough distance so the average person would assume they were being spied on. Who knows, maybe the two were criminals and he could catch them for a reward? Or maybe these people had a task that he could aid them with, for the right price and cause of course. He heard the words Empress, and something about rejecting Gespard. It seemed that these two may be a part of some resistance movement. Amras never liked taking political sides, but he was not above helping out if there was something to be gained from it. Helping out the Orlesian Empress's forces may promote favor to mages and elves if Amras could prove his noble spirit. He leaned against a wall and listened in some more, waiting for enough information to make a decision and then finding the right moment to engage a conversation.

[Leliana]

Leliana listened to what the person said, she had a question on her face. But then she saw the face the figure hid, and smiled at her and realized. The empress was right in front of her, crossing her arms she was really happy about the whole thing. Taking a deep breath she felt better. "Well I am glad she is doing good, and I hope that she will retake what was taken from her" She said happily. Looking out over the balcony, and looked down unsure what the hell was going to happen now. But now she had to treat the empress like a normal person, which wasn't to hard. She was constantly making sure that everything would be ok. But then the more she thought about things, the more she felt like someone was spying on her. Picking up her head, she put her finger up to her lips.

"I think someone is here" Was all she really said, she had her hand on her sword. Ready to do what had to be done if need be, with everything going on lately. She was almost afraid it was a spy, and she wouldn't allow anyone to kill the empress. She vowed to help protect the empress and no one was going to screw with that. "I know someone is out there, you may step forward" She said her voice not shy, her voice almost booming really. But it was kind in a sense as well, she had a smile on her face. Trying to appear friendly, but also confident at the same time. If that of course made any sense to anyone, she had no idea if it did.

[Empress Celene I]

Celene’s blue eyes grew bright as it finally dawned on Leliana who she was. "Well I am glad she is doing good, and I hope that she will retake what was taken from her" The woman sounded truly happy, and it was nice to know that her people truly wanted her back. She had full intentions on taking Orlais back from Gespard, he was never meant to rule. He had run her beautiful place into the ground, and it was going to take a lot of hard work on her part to build it back up to where it had been. Celene didn’t care though, she wanted the work.

A perfectly manicured brow arched as Leliana put a finger to her lips. The other woman had noticed something that the Empress had missed. "I think someone is here" Celene wondered if it was just someone trying to get home or if it was something else. Too few people here in Ferelden knew her face so she wasn’t really worried about being noticed, especially since she was dressed in such plain garb. Leliana had her and on her sword before she said anything more and other. "I know someone is out there, you may step forward" Celene was impressed at the authority that her voice held.

Slender fingers adjusted her hood, putting her face more into the shadows. A sly grin danced upon her lips as she reached into her boot where a knife was hidden. Ky had always been good with a bow, and had tried to teach Celene, but it was daggers that had made her heart sing. Right now she only carried a plain one so that she wouldn’t be discovered; the daggers she normally carried were tucked away at home. They were far to fine to be carried around through the streets of Denerim.