#also a siege of Skyhold would be great at some point. should have been in the game.
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"True enough. Got enough enemies as it stands. Don't need her added to that long list, seeking me out. Got nothing to prove with any pissing contests around here either. Prefer to let my work out in the field against Corypheus' abominations and cult speak for itself."
Eskel's low, amused tone returned to her swiftly with a chuckle of his own, following her at her prompting, making their way out of the war room gradually and down the subsequent corridor. Passing through her office soon after, Ambassador Montilyet looked up from her desk and the messenger she was consulting with, doing a double take, an expression of surprise crossing her pretty Antivan features at the sight of him accompanying the Inquisitor. A look he received more of when they made it out into the main hall... along with whispers his enhanced senses picked up. Not hostile, at least, a welcome change from what was usually said about him, but certainly bewildered and curious. Nothing he wasn't used to, at any rate. He supposed it was compounded by how rarely he went out around the keep during the day... he was an oddity. He looked back at her throne and over the guards and other folk around the hall, marred features smiling politely, trading a respectful nod with the dwarven rogue storyteller Varric as they passed his spot near a fireplace, then focusing on making his way with Ellana outside, the cool mountain air greeting them. He breathed it in... and almost felt like he was home, again. Maybe he was, and just didn't know it yet. It was the longest he had settled into a place outside of Kaer Morhen, at least. Moving down the stone steps, crossing over the yard towards the awaiting inn, he became aware of the further eyes turning their way.
The Witcher wasn't sure if they were more staring at her, the beloved Herald of their Andraste, symbol of their order and Thedas' best hope, or him, the mysterious mutated stranger and suspicious outsider of the Inquisition. It was an amusing thought, regardless. He would always be the stranger, on some level. It was the nature of his profession and existence, the Path and his destiny. Though he did offer Scout Harding the polite nod she deserved. The moment they approached the Herald's Rest, his enchanted medallion began to hum... detecting the presence of the spirit calling itself Cole that lived in the establishment, taking the form of a pale, unusual yet skilled young man, who traded a wave with Ellana. It was strange to be fighting alongside one... especially considering he was usually slaying similar beings for coin. Entering the tavern, the music and chatter greeted them, a few conversations breaking off at the sight of them again... he ignored it, settling down at the table she indicated with her, ordering a drink as well before focusing his viper eyes and senses back upon her. He was hardly surprised to hear of her favorite area in Skyhold... had heard some whispers about her and the mysterious elven mage called Solas who resided there. Personally, his instincts told him to trust the elf no more than he trusted the haughty Orlesian Sorceress Vivienne. Nodding at the Inquisitor's words, his deep, languid voice returning to her with a smile of his marred visage.
"It could grow on me, I'm sure, especially given the present company. Might prefer the lower courtyard, but I'd also like to take a crack at that forge of yours in the undercroft at some point. Not as good as some of the experts you picked up for blacksmithing, but not half bad either. Everyone at my school learned to work a forge... learned many useful skills for the Path and on it."

@starwrittenfates
"We all could use them, that's for sure. Especially these days. Good days for my line of work... but not so much for the rest of the world, including myself outside of work."
Eskel's low, grimly amused voice returned to his client with a shake of his head, looking down to the map sprawled out on the war table and all the pieces on it, daggers embedded into certain spots. He could scarcely imagine running a war, directing numerous others, advisers, allies, politics, the fate of nations... especially having stood on his own for so long. Having to weigh every decision and repercussion for others, everyone seeking something... and no shortage of enemies, including those pretending to be allies. It was a new experience, being around a variety of personalities and motives this long, full of lessons every day, it seemed. Different from hunting Demons, Wyverns or giant spiders in some forest, cavern or village, or Darkspawn down in the Deep Roads. In the latter case, it was only the Legion of the Dead and Grey Wardens he had fought beside, and even then on a short term basis. Life was simpler in the Deep Roads, such as it was. The personalities of the doomed dwarves and Wardens aligning well with his own. Little idle socializing, more drinking and slaying monsters. Not like it was at Skyhold, another world entirely he was adapting to, even at his age.
There had been a good deal of losses so far in the campaign against Corypheus, between his Dragon and his cult of followers and Demon hordes... he imagined there would be a good more yet before all was said and done, including many of those occupying Skyhold. It was a matter of time before the Darkspawn Magister marched his army this way, made a siege of it, most likely. Skyhold had become a hub in the world, everyone knew where it was now, despite its remote location on the border of Orlais and Ferelden, and how to get there. The heart of the Inquisition. He would do all he could to make sure the place didn't end up like Kaer Morhen all over again. In the meantime, it was best to make the most of things while they all still could. However long they lasted. At her generous and unexpected offer when he had been ready to head back down to the lower courtyard, the Witcher's viper eyes returned to the alluring Inquisitor's emerald pair... and his marred visage smiled, nodding. He took Ellana's hand carefully, raising it slightly to kiss the back of it gently, giving it a grateful squeeze before letting it go again and drawing back a bit, clearing her way. Deep tone murmuring to the elven lady again.
"Certainly I would, Lady Lavellan. Much appreciated. Would go change into my armor and weapons, usually need them at a tavern... but I reckon I can make an exception around here. Especially in your company. Ready when you are."

@starwrittenfates
#starwrittenfates#Eskel: Don't gotta be an occult detective to have a bad feeling about that guy.#also a siege of Skyhold would be great at some point. should have been in the game.#game's writers screwed over Corypheus' villain/character potential sadly#we can fix it lol
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