Finally, things could settle down into a routine again. Not quite, there was the actual, and hopefully final, battle with Corypheus but for now? Some respite.
She'd had this idea before Adamant Fortress and the Winter Palace, but now she had the time and energy to actually follow through. Goal: Cheer up Varric, and mend his working friendship with Cassandra.
How? Mara smiled.
"Hey, Varric." Mara called to him from the double doors, before walking over to him. She observed that work in the main hall had completed; it looked legitimately like the Inquisition now.
Smart dwarf; always by the fire in this chilly climate. Also, great vantage point of those entering the Main Hall.
"I was just talking to Cassandra the other day and found out something you'll want to hear."
"Oh?" Varric's expression was intrigued, but also guarded considering a violent seeker was being mentioned.
"It turns out Cassandra is a big fan of your writing. Specifically," And she paused for dramatic effect. "Swords and Shields."
Varric's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline, "What? That terrible series? It's sales were so bad, it barely covered the cost of ink and paper!"
Mara chuckled. This was going great. "Yes, exactly the one. And I would consider it a personal favor between friends if you could give her the next installment."
"Really? I don't know..." But Mara pestered him good heartedly until he gave in.
"I'll get to work then. You know, the fact that the book is terrible just makes it all more worthwhile, somehow."
Success. Now that those wheels were in motion...
But as she was crossing the courtyard, Josephine and a Chantry Sister called her over.
"We need your input, Inquisitor."
Goodness, didn't they know this were her day off to talk to the team? Ah well.

Aw. Josephine is flinching from my flippancy.
"I'm sorry, Inquisitor," The Chantry Sister began, "But this is an issue that can't be put off any longer." Mara observed that she seemed agitated, and the woman paced away momentarily, before turning towards them again.

Mara nearly laughed, but stopped herself at Jose's look. Really? Corypheus's army is gathering to the south and the Chantry is back on being obsessed with this?
The Chantry Sister continued, "We cannot answer it without the Right and Left Hands of the Divine Justinia V. We will need them to go to Val Royeaux as soon as possible. There are ceremonies--ordinations! Maker's Mercy!"
What? The Sister wanted Leliana and Cassandra to leave with her? "These two people are very important members of the inquisition." Mara replied. Well, actually, she wouldn't mind Leliana going for an extended trip, as useful as she was. But she preferred Cassandra to remain and she couldn't very well say that...
"Surely with the support of the Empire the Inquisition would not be harmed by the loss of just two souls?" The Sister pressed.
Mara frowned at her stubbornness, "Whether it would or not is not in question. I would leave it up to both of them to decide whether to go." Geez, it's not like Mara controlled their lives just because she was the Inquisitor. Well, sorta, but not that personally.
The Sister was getting wound up again, but Jose interceded."It's just quite impossible at the moment. However, we will see to this matter as soon as possible." Resigned to the response, the Chantry Sister finally departed to quarters Jose had assigned to her for her short stay.
Josephine turned to Mara, an apologetic look on her face. "Don't let them detract from your victory at Halamshiral." She advised.
"Thanks, Jose. I won't. Is there anything further?"
"Cullen is hoping to press our advantage. We'll plan our next attack when you're ready."
Mara nodded, and left for her next destination. she needed to give Varric time to brush up on his writing before she could finish the plan, so she headed towards Cole. She'd been too distracted by the big events to find out what had been bothering the usually very calm spirit lately.
She didn't have to go far; even Solas had dragged himself from his painting of walls. Seemed everyone was hanging out in the courtyard today.
"No!"Salas said loudly enough, she could still hear it across the courtyard.
"But you like demons!" Cole exclaimed.
"I do enjoy the company of spirits. Which is part of why I don't abuse them with bindings!"
"It's not abuse if I ask!"
"Not always true." Solas parried. "Also, I do not practice blood magic, making this entire conversation academic!"
Cole noticed her presence, and came over to her with all the mannerisms of a child having been told 'No' by one parent only to turn to the other parent for the request. "He won't bind me! He's a mage and he likes demons but he won't help!"
Mara frowned. She'd definitely entered this mid conversation. "Why would you want Solas to bind you?"
Cole looked desperate, afraid. "So I'm safe! If Solas won't do the ritual to bind me, someone else could-will!! Like the Warden mages. and then--"

"Isn't it extreme for Solas to bind you? What if that takes away the part of you that makes you...you?" Mara said.
"Helping makes me who I am. I help the hurting. That is what I do. All I do. All I am. Me!"
Mara was gazing at this spirit who had helped her significantly on at least two occasions with that very sentiment. She must return the favor. Still... Mara turned her eyes on Solas. "There must be a middle ground between 'Do nothing' and 'Bind Cole with blood magic' surely?"
Solas continued to make his perpetual frown face at her, but finally responded. "I have a suggestion. I recall stories of amulets used be Rivaini seers. To protect spirits they summoned from rival mages. This made the spirit immune to blood magic and binding. The Inquisition's resources could be used to find such an amulet."
"Good." Cole, left them, agitated. "They will not take me." She heard him say very determinedly. Valuing Cole not being in constant fear, finding such a talisman was top priority for Mara. She spoke to her advisers and put Josephine on the case to make a trade of some sort with a person's collection. Yet another thing that would take time. Still, she didn't have much fear that a mage would break into Skyhold just to bind Cole, so she wasn't exactly worried, per se, so much as interested in putting Cole's concerns to rest.