Unspoken

Chapter 4

The Inquisitor calls in her advisors to the daily meeting at the war table to discuss the newest information and the next steps. This is the first time for Morrigan. She looks around a bit when she enters the room with the others.

It’s big, with beautiful decorated windows which flood the round room with daylight. In the middle is a huge, wooden table. Or more like a massive table top sitting on a tree stump. Very natural and indeed beautiful. On top there’s a big map of whole Thedas, on which different figures are placed on various locations. Each figure appears to stand for one of the advisors. One with 2 golden crossed keys, one with a Lionhead on it and a raven with spread wings. Morrigan is still new in the Inquisition but she’s pretty sure she knows which one belongs to which member.

Morrigan stands next to the Inquisitor, Leliana, Josephine and Cullen are on the opposite of the table. Leliana is still avoiding eye contact with the witch at any cost.

The Inquisitor breaks the silence. She explains that their scouts recently discovered some weird shards that contain some old magic. Dagna is exploring them at the moment, trying to find out who made them, how many there are and what for. What they know so far is, that Corypheus is apparently looking for them, he is sending red Templars to different regions of Thedas to find them.

“As you probably figured already, we cannot let Corypheus find them first. That’s why we will send small teams to explore as many areas as fast as possible.” The Inquisitor continues.

“I agree, I can also send some of my troops to assist” Cullen adds. “Did you choose the teams already, Inquisitor?”

“Indeed. I decided there should be 2 people for each team. This will be Cassandra and Varric, Dorian and Blackwall, Cullen and the Iron Bull, Leliana and Morrigan. Josephine informed me you two worked together during the blight so I thought you make a great team.”

Leliana gives Josephine a frowning glance. Josie innocently smiles at her friend, looking a little bit too satisfied.

Morrigan just nods at the Inquisitors orders, but does take a short look at Josephine as well, then her eyes meet the bard’s for a split second before the redhead quickly looks away, before anyone would notice.

Meanwhile the herald continues to assign different areas to each team. Morrigan looks at the map when her name drops once again.


“Leliana and Morrigan, you will go to the emerald graves, it’s a dangerous area, be aware of not only the red Templars but also some Venatori that might be wandering around.” She explains and places the raven figure on the map where they will be sent to.


“Of course, I will make sure to collect the shards and return as fast as possible.” Leliana responds calmly.


“Are there any questions or suggestions?” The inquisitor looks at her advisors.


“No, the goal is clear.” Cullen assures.


“Well then, we will leave in the early morning, make sure you’re prepared and well rested.” The Harold adds to end the meeting

The advisors leave the room to continue their work and inform their other members about the mission. Leliana catches up with the chief diplomat and walks right next to her.


“Josie, on a word.” She demands quietly.


“You know, I’ve got a ton of work to do, and you should prepare yourself for the mission, it’s been a while since your last outside mission isn’t it? You might be a bit rusty.” she teases her, followed by a cheeky smile.


Leliana arches her brows, giving her friend an unimpressed look.


“Fine.”


Josephine gives in and follows the redhead to the rookery.

The bard leans herself against her table, crossing her arms in front of her chest, her eyes resting on Josephine, waiting for an explanation.


“Didn’t you assure me you had nothing to do with Morrigan’s presence?” she asks now, her voice is calm but her expression show her anger.


“I promise you I had nothing to do with her presence, but the Inquisitor asked for any suggestions for building the most efficient teams. And you may want to deny it, but I know you worked together really well during the time you were traveling together with the Hero of Ferelden. I think any other member besides maybe Varric, would feel very threatened if they had to team up with the famous witch of the wilds.”


“And you accidentally forgot to mention that we are not getting along anymore, did you?”


“I may… have let that out, yes. But let’s face it, you need to talk to each other, I think there might be a significant miscommunication between the two of you.” The Antivan continues.


Leliana looks at her in disbelief at first, but after realizing where she’s coming from it makes her even angrier.


“You talked to her behind my back.” She points out, disappointment in her eyes.


“She wanted to talk to me not the other way around” she explains.


“Well then, I’m thrilled, what did she say, what lies did she present you that changed your mind about her?”

“Nothing, and that is the whole point, Leliana” Josephine responds calmly to not upset her friend even more.


“What do you mean… nothing?” she pulls her brows together in confusion. This answer doesn’t make sense to her at all.


“Morrigan doesn’t know you loved her. She might be a very smart woman but she has no clue when it comes to emotions and affection.” She looks to the redhead, not sure what reaction she will get from her conclusion.


Leliana stares at Josephine like she’s waiting for her to start laughing and telling her it was a bad joke. But Josie doesn’t move, she’s quiet. From all the things she was prepared to hear, this is not one of them. Somehow this really upsets her now. How could she not notice how much she meant to her? Maker, even Alistair called her out for her heart eyes she had for the witch and he is really not the smartest warden walking around. She feels like their connection they had back then was nothing but her imagination, a lie. Her hopes there could be more someday? A childish dream. She should have known better by now. And she is angry at herself for it.

She pushes herself away from the desk and walks towards her balcony.

Josephine follows her outside.


“I should have learned by now, shouldn’t I?” Leliana states, trying to play it down but her voice cracks.


“You did nothing wrong and that’s why I’m telling you to talk to her, I’m not trying to punish you, I’m trying to help you, Leliana.”


“I don’t think this will change much.”


The bard turns around once again, looking into the distance, admiring the snowy mountains trying to distract herself from her thoughts, trying to calm herself down. She hates it to feel vulnerable. And yet the witch managed to push her down into this hole again – without even knowing it, which made it even worse honestly.

Josephine quietly steps closer and puts her arms around the redhead to give her a soft hug. To her surprise Leliana doesn’t even try to push her away. Instead she rests her chin on her shoulder and replies the hug.


“Maker, why did you become so proud? It’s not good to suppress your feelings like that all the time…” the antivan says reproachful but softly.


“I don’t know…” the bard answers quietly as she finally lets the tears falling down she had been fighting back for so long.


Josephine gently pulls her closer.


“It’s okay, just let it out”

Meanwhile, Morrigan walks back to her room. As she leaves the meeting room she passes Josephine and Leliana. Seeing them whispering and leaving together again is really starting to bother her. She couldn’t quite place those feelings, except – no that would make no sense. Why in the world should she feel jealousy? She doesn’t fancy women. For her to envy Josephine for being so close to her former teammate is ridiculous.

She tries to get rid of those thoughts, she definitely should get some rest now, they are going to start off at sunrise tomorrow and it’s already pretty late.
When she reaches her room she prepares some things she’s going to take with her on the mission, then lies down on her bed, trying to fall asleep.