Spymasters and Inquisition

Horknath snorted, laughing. "Agreed", he said. "I'd honestly be sad for Yvan, though. He's a good guy."
"He just has to hope that knife down his throat won't be mine", Nadia hissed through gritted teeths, making them a sign to follow her to the building too. "Because I won't be satisfied just with aiming for that." Serah laughed.

Horknath hid a smile. "Yes sir", he limited himself in saying with a small salute. "Guess that means we don't want to end up in separated groups when we split", he observed then, walking into the vast hallway of the palace and up the central row of stairs, draped in red. Yep, he was going to get lost there.
And was that a hint of elvish architecture?

"Just great! So it will be both of us to get lost. Very nice!" Horknath exclaimed, deadly worried. Nadia stifled a laugh. "Don't worry, Master Valdyr. I'll make sure to send a scouting legion for the two of you so that no one will be lost here. Not for more than a week, at least." She guided them through a great door to the ballroom. From a remote side of the big room, a delicious smell of food made it very clear where the buffet was. In the centre, some people danced on a boring, too flourishing waltz music. Nadia lowered her voice. "That woman up there is the Dutchess", she said, nodding towards a white haired woman, talking to three younger ladies near one of the big windows.
Well. Anybody could have told who she was, just by looking at how she held herself. And how she was dressed.

Nadia bit her lip. She didn't seem particularly happy with that task. "I have to", she simply said. "Someone should have come with me, but since Ash disappeared in thin air and God knows where Varric went, I will have to go alone. Which is NOT a thing that pleases me, by the way. Be wary: she'll probably send her First Dame to... greet you." She took a deep breath and walked off, up to reach for the Dutchess.

Nadia almost got an heart attack when Ash materialized at her side. She got her composure back, scoffing at him as she walked. "Oh, really now", she said in a calm voice. "I didn't think it would sound so pleasant, to a demon, having their name spoken by a Paladin. That usually doesn't end well." People around whispered, looking as they walked closer to the part reserved to the Dutchess.

Horknath looked at Valdyr, desperation in his face. "I beg you, please", he whined, clasping his hands together, "before it's too late!" And indeed a woman, richly dressed up, was already walking up to them.

Nadia lifted her chin up in defiance, begrudgingly accepting Ash's arm. "I can't refuse your arm at a public party. People would talk. So be it, then... but remember. I am the one that leads", she hissed, before putting on her most corteous smile. She bowed to the Dutchess. "Your Highness. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." The Dutchess answered with a slight bow of her own. "I am glad to finally meet the one that leads the Inquisition. I was curious to see you. The woman everyone speaks about", she said with an airy smile. She looked over to Ash.

Horknath just fretted in imitating Valdyr, bowing, but avoiding to smile. It was for everybody's good. The woman seemed pleased with their efforts, though. "Good evening. I am Laurel, First Dame of the Dutchess. I am pleased to meet the people accompanying the Inquisitor." She clearly expected them to introduce themselves.

Nadia eyed him warily, but still kept her gentle smile. "The Inquisition always gladly accepts invitations, when they hold a promise for peace, your Highness."
"Ah, that's the hope of everyone here, my dear, especially mine. And what a polite, handsome gentleman you got here, Lady Trevelyan", the Dutchess smiled, pleased. "What is your name?"

Horknath didn't really comment on the advisor part of the introductions. He just carefully avoided to emit grunts or any noise as he bowed his head again. Laurel's eyes shifted to Horknath, a politely incredulous expression on her face. "An Half-Orc as an advisor? Well, that's... peculiar, for sure", she commented. "Oh, the Eastern Mountains? Are you a merchant by any chance, Master Valdyr?"

The Dutchess graced him with a nod. She probably knew the story of Yvan. It was a well known gossip between noble and rich people, after all. "Any news of Duke Gaspard yet, milady?", Nadia asked politely. The Dutchess fanned herself, sighing. "My cousin, he still isn't here. That man sure loves to be late. It's a disgraceful habit. But I won't dwell on it, tonight. What do you think of my party?", she asked, brightening up. "Have you danced already? Oh, and the banquet is exquisite!"

Laurel looked at Valdyr with renewed interest, her eyes shining as she smiled at him. "Jewelry, you say? I must keep your name well in mind then, Master Valdyr", she mused. "Even if tonight, I am afraid you will have to excuse me if I look a bit oit of myself. I am very worried", she sighed dramatically.

The Dutchess beamed. "So kind of you. Now go and have plenty of fun! I will be here to wait for Gaspard. You'll be able to greet him later too, if you wish", she concluded, excusing them. Nadia smiled at the Dutchess. "Of course, your Highness. Thank you", she added, bowing. She glanced at Ash, questioningly raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, well... the meeting with Duke Gaspard of course. Surely you'll know everything about it", Lauriel pointedly told them, lowering her voice. "But who I am mostly afraid of is Briala. That... that elf", she spat out, sounding disgusted, "I am sure that Ambassador is planning something. She isn't on good terms with the Court. Well, not after the Dutchess finally saw what hateful person she was spending her... private time with. I really don't understand why she got invited here!" Horknath didn't follow half of what she said. All he could concentrate on, for some reason, was the weird, heavy and sweet perfume she was wearing.

Nadia sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I guess I don't really have a choice, do I. Guide me wherever, sweetheart", she added, giving him a sickening and venomous smile.

Lauriel was only waiting for an invitation to gossip further. Even if it was clear that this particular gossip was really making her angry. "With the Dutchess, of course. Voices say she was her favourite, once. But I am willing to believe that her Highness would never stoop so low", she sneered with disgust. "That elf probably got angry because she never had the kinfd of attentions she wanted."

"Is all this vicinity really necessary, or is it merely for your entertainment?", Nadia hissed, clearly very uncomfortable with that situation as she followed Ash through the dance. As a Paladin, she was not used to be that close to a man.

Lauriel nodded vigorously. "It's disgraceful indeed, Master Valdyr. And as a counselor of the Inquisitor, conaider me telling you all of this as a tip on who you should keep an eye on", she added, lowering her voice. "Now excuse me, gentlemen. I have other guests to greet. It was a pleasure." She bowed to them.

Nadia suppressed a shiver. ... Gods, she strongly hoped Ash hadn't felt it. She actually took the chance to look around, keeping her disdain for herself for once. She noticed the Duke, a bit far away, talking to the Dutchess. He had arrived then. Good. Better keep an eye on him.

Horknath nodded. "Oh Gods I am so glad you know how to talk with people", he blurted out immediately. What the hell was he doing there? He was a mercenary, not an ambassador or whatever! "So we have to find an elf then. An elf that if I remember well, is a well known spymaster. Any ideas?"

Nadia narrowed her eyes to him. "Just your hand being a bit too insistent on my waist", she politely observed. "And the Duke is here. Talking with his cousin. If at a certain point you will unhand me, we should talk to him", she added.

"Ok. Doesn't seem that difficult." Horknath looked around attentively. "Let's try to move a bit, maybe we'll be lucky. I suggest to start at the banquet." That had nothing to do with his empty stomach.