Chapter Text
Footsteps echoed distantly, and Josephine looked up. The lone raven hopped off the windowsill and set off toward Leliana's tower in a flurry of silent wings. Moments later, Judit Lavellan strode purposefully past her desk, heading toward the war room, but the diplomat had already sent her aide after Cullen with a single nod.
Rising from her desk, Josephine followed the Inquisitor to the massive table. She considered bringing out Varric's letter right away, but finally decided to wait for the others to arrive with their reports. (Her report would be chosen because it was clearly superior and not because she'd taken unfair advantage of her office location!) Leliana arrived next, failing to hide a deep scowl, and Cullen followed a few minutes later, returned Judit's smile with an uneasy nod, and avoided any further attempts at eye contact.
Josephine gathered the reports, added the letter to the top of the bundle, and handed them over.
[A letter from Varric] Blondie's here. Anders. The guy half of Thedas still might be after. He's asking about Hawke. Apparently he saw her in the Fade with us, and it didn't take him long to figure out who you were or how to get to Skyhold. Anyway, he's kind of torn up about the whole thing, so I put him up in the attic with Cole for now. I'm not all that excited to be around him, if it's all the same to you, but we need to do something soon before the wrong people recognize him...like the Seeker.
-Varric
[Annotation by Leliana] Inquisitor, perhaps I am also one of the "wrong people" but have all of you forgotten this man's crimes against the Chantry...and all of Thedas? He assassinated a Grand Cleric and ignited the mage rebellion.
Cullen's report began, "Maker's breath, of ALL the apostates in Thedas..."
Leliana's report focused mostly on scouts, letters, and coordinating an escort. Too dull. Too straightfowrard. Most of all, too hard to tell whether she was also planning to coordinate an "unfortunate accident" Predictably, it fluttered down to the war table and landed on top of Cullen's.
Josephine tried to keep a neutral expression as Judit picked up the third report and began to read. It was soon clear from the Inquisitor's expression that this was the one she would approve.
-- I will spread the rumor that someone at Skyhold knows where Anders is. Too vague of a lead for bounty hunters to bother, but more than enough to bring the Champion hurrying back. In fact, it is not outside the realm of possibility that she will arrive just in time for Skyhold's first ball. (Have I not told you of this before now? Must have slipped my mind. We are most definitely hosting a ball.) I think I can get her a suitible gown. Remember the red one we originally intended for...but I digress. As risky as this sounds I believe Anders would be safest if he also cleaned up and joined the festivities. Imagine how conspicuous and vulnerable he would be spending the evening all alone in a desolate corner of Skyhold dressed as an apostate. Inquisitor, I'm begging you for the love of everything good in this world, we must arrange for the two of them to meet on the dance floor as if by chance and then watch what happens.