The Chantry [Open]

[Justinia V]

"Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, champions of the just."

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Justinia sat proudly in her throne - Which was actually just a fancy chair, but embellishing it a bit didn't hurt.

She sat and overlooked the people who offered Andraste a thousand different prayers. Yet, her stare went right through them. She saw no single person. She saw families, husbands, sons, brothers, all lost in this war. To her sides, Templars. The ones truly loyal to her, to the Chantry, who decided to betray Lambert - Or perhaps not betray her.

Ah, Lambert. How could she fail him so? If only he could see as she saw. If only he could see that the Mages are not so different than any other being and just as we face corruption and vice, so do they, if only in a different form.

Now he led the Inquisition to battle. Now, he rallied his troops to kill instead of restrain the mages. Or perhaps, make them "Tranquil".

What a cruel name. It inspires feelings of safety, of shelter, when it is far from them. "Tranquility"... To dull someone from their feelings. Cut from them their very own gifts...


Perhaps mankind had proven itself unworthy of the Golden City. Perhaps the Darkspawn were their just reward for years of debauchery. Perhaps the magi's revenge was something they had coming for a long time now.

And yet, deep inside, she couldn't help but wish for all to be once again reunited. She prayed for the apostates, who'd never accept her help. She prayed for the maleficars, who'd sooner kill her and she even prayed for Lambert who likely wished he could force her into Tranquility so she'd be his willing puppet.

And she prayed for the world, so that one day it may yet know peace.

Soon the ones still loyal to her would come. Her soldiers - The true avatars of the Chantry's divinity - would come and show her once again their loyalty and honor. So many asked the chantry for shelter and now... Now she could afford none.


Justinia was overcame with sorrow as she once again overlooked the people praying fervishly. She sighed. Was peace even possible?

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Clad in a clean, white cloak, the Inquisitors' Eye and the Sun embroidered on its front and back, the Lord Seeker watched out of his carriage's window in clear boredom. All of the low-life ignorants, all of the crippled old fools and their peers, frustrated him to no end. There was a saying he had heard once - 'Ignorance is a bliss'. Those who knew the fewest also received the least trouble, or so it was believed. But peasants, who knew very little, indeed did suffer from raiding, pillaging and raping which they were targeted with: perhaps it was simply their dull stupidity that protected them from the full impact of such a loss. Either way, they certainly had less to lose than a person of such importance and capability as the White Divine.

Lambert contemplated at the prospect of seeing the fall of the White Divine, clearly enjoying every passing second in the cool shade of his carriage, but then he was interrupted as the driver drew to a halt. It was heart-warming to see zeal in the young recruits, to him, and sometimes he invited young Templars into his household as manservants. Castor was a special case: he was a supernaturally gifted marksman, especially with a crossbow, and he was a skilled hand-to-hand combatant even at such a young age. He heard two light sounds as his manservant jumped down from the perch, and soon after he was greeted by the blooming sun as he opened the door for him.

The Lord Seeker descended from his carriage and moved one hand to protect his eyes from the sunlight. After a quick squint of his eyes at the Cathedral he set out towards its main entrance, taking majestic steps. Castor followed close behind him, and as if in imitation of the pair, three other Inquisitors started towards the entrance as well. They were clad in clothes that gave no hint of their true purposes, and each had a sword on their belts. The Lord Seeker had personally ordered these long-range bodyguards, yet not out of paranoia. He had powerful enemies, and while none would be likely to try a public assassination, it was still better to be sure one such an attempt would not be a success.

As the Lord Seeker entered in the Great Cathedral, he was faced with the sound of several dozen prayers being muttered. Allowing Castor to take his coat, he noticed several things at once about the Cathedral's interior. To either side of the main hallway there were orderly lines of benches, a small portion of them used by zealous Andrastians to mutter their prayers, and yet even more to the sides there stood flocks of people watching, whispering and praying. But he thought little of the lowly folk, for he could now see the White Divine herself, seated on a seat that could only barely pass for a throne. She was holding a regal posture like the Empress herself, or so it seemed to him from a distance. Lambert walked over to her, smiled lightly in greeting and began to speak, his tone low to respect the Church's silence.

"Such a wonderful day, and you decide to spend it inside. Here are the simple folk, praying to the Maker in hope of salvation. But we have several matters to discuss, many of them in direct relation to current events. It is the Chantry we both support, and we must ensure its survival and uphold its true nature - that of peace - during these times of war. But I am sure that we should move into someplace more quiet, don't you think?"

Castor moved to sit on one of the benches, quietly losing himself into a prayer. The three Inquisitors outside now leaned against the Cathedral walls, letting their eyes roll lazily across the faceless crowd.

[Justinia V]

Justina smiled softly to Lambert. "That is only if you truly wish to discuss peace, my dear Lambert. I assume your armed guards will be coming with you? Mine won't. I don't think you have anything to gain from attacking an old frail woman, after all." She gave the man a small wink. The statement was a bluff, though whether Lambert knew it or not didn't matter. She turned to the guards, and in her ever-so-soft tone muttered a "dismissed" before nodding towards Lambert and opening the door to the inner halls of the Cathedral.

As they walk, the guards would calmly leave the front doors and go to the towers of the Grand Cathedral, where they'd warn the sentries of the meeting that would follow. Crossbows were immediately turned to the room at the center of the Cathedral, where the two would undoubtedly converse as per the Divine's previous instructions. And indeed, she'd silently lead the Lord Inquisitor through the guarded halls - should he have followed, of course - passing through each room until they arrived at one at the very heart of the chantry, with large windows that allowed enjoyment of the cathedral's gardens and, at the same time, allowing the tower-sentries to be ready should anything bad happen.

"I must admit, I did not expect your visit after your letter, Lambert. I am unprepared to serve you tea and snacks though if you desire, I'm sure they can be arranged quite promptly."

She walked past the Lord, hand idly rubbing the large oak table that adorned the room, and sat at one end of the table, gesturing to the other with a hand. "I hope you do not mind; This is my very favorite room in the Cathedral. The gardens are always a pleasure to look at. But please, do sit."

Dorothea waited calmly, fingers interlocked and hands resting in her lap, her smile persistent in her face. "Peace talks, then? You'll have to excuse me if I try to hurry things along. I do have chantings later in this evening, and I mustn't leave the faithful waiting. And, of course, I am expecting the arrival of two friends of mine at any moment now, so if they come, I'd have to attend to them momentarily." She sighed, seemingly annoyed. "I do apologize, Lambert, but it's just a poor time. This war has caused so much grief and made things so hectic, I only wish for it to end."

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Lambert pointed an indifferent look at Justinia.

"I do not have armed guards with me in the Cathedral, Divine. I would not do such a thing."

They walked into a peaceful, thought-invoking room that had a view into a luxurious garden.

"No matter the room, Divine. Now..."

He took a deep breath, as if preparing to take a dive into the dark.

"The war, yes. I do not like the war either. This is a thing we have in common, Divine, and perhaps it should be pursued. Yes. I think that peace should be pursued, as absurd and bizarre it is... and this, this comes with a price. Once I have crushed the rebellion at Andoral's Reach, there will be peace. I too am sorry, Divine, but I do not see another way to solve this. They are not willing to negotiate, and we would be reluctant to do so anyway. We have gathered an army, and it is ready to march for the ruined fortress. But what comes after? What will come after the mages have been annihilated - or captured? This is where we differ, Divine. How to treat them, and why."

He hesitated and looked down at his feet, thinking of what to say next.

"And perhaps, Divine, this is why I have come to consider other options. More... peaceful options."

Yes. Go in that direction, and perhaps you can kindle a spirit of hope.

"If we can work out a compromise, that would strengthen our position considerably, don't you agree?" He managed a weak smile, but it died on his lips almost immediately. His tone turned more severe.

"I have one more thing to say. I am not even close to being out of options."

[Justinia V]

Her eyes flashed defiant in the Seeker's gaze. She would not be talked down. "This is something we share."

"If you show yourself open to conversation, Lambert, I'll be more than glad to mediate. You believe to have the situation under control, as you appear to not need my help to take Andoral's Reach, no? If that is the case, I will continue to divert my efforts to what they have always been. Peace. If you so wish, Lord Seeker, I can openly state that we both seek the same thing - If you wish your position strengthened so. But that comes with a price."

She would not be cornered in her own home.

"I'll need proof. For indeed, if you walk into the home of the Maker and talk of anything but how to achieve peace, I have nothing left to tell you other than the way out."

She smiled at him. "But I am sure that is not the case. After all, my dear Lambert, we've worked together for years before this incident, have we not? Surely we can work together again, for the good of the Chantry and will of the Maker."

"Onto the attack of Andoral's Reach. I... Cannot convince either side to back down at this point. I am no fool and have no illusions about this. I know you too well, Lambert, to try and convince you this world needs anything short of an Exalted March.
But I will say this. If you wish for the support of the Chantry, follow this simple request of mine: Do not kill the mages that surrender. The maleficar. The blood magi.... They are children who are sadly lost to the Maker and though deserving of pity and redemption, I understand they would sooner cohort with their demon masters than accept our help."

She sighs a bit before continuing, softening as she examines Lambert's features. "You remain a very handsome man, Lambert. I only ask that your interior reflects your exterior - That you extend the Maker's hand of mercy to those who willingly surrender and show themselves no more than an apostate- And who knows? You might even find some who want to help! I'm sure plenty of mages only joined the rebellion side out of peer pressure, and will be more than willing to share information about the true maleficarum if "rescued" from them."

Perhaps feeding this the perspective of getting more information if he at least pretended to appease her would buy her time. She knows the man's patience would wear thin not too long with the magisters, and probably would go ahead and make them tranquil if they resisted too much. Another thing she held no doubts of was that he would pretend to follow her request to simply kidnap and make prisoner as many of the Magi as he could.


...She would have to make do. It pained her. It struck deep as if his sword was going through her chest, but she knew that a small sacrifice had to be made to buy time. She needed the Warden. The Champion. The heroes of Ferelden and Kirkwall would be her secret weapon, her way out of the war - And perhaps the tensions between the chantry and the inquisition in the bargain.

She sighed.

"What a sad thing is war, wouldn't you say, Lambert? To make us so coldly discuss lives. Us, the heads of the Chantry of Light, none the less.

A sad thing, indeed."

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Talking to the Divine was like walking on a path of daggers. Which surely was the case when talking to the Lord Seeker, as well. He laid himself back, relaxing, reconsidering the situation and listening intently to what the Divine had to say for her part. But when she mouthed her last words, contemplating on the sorrow that is war, his eyes flared up.

"Know, then, that I will put my trust on you, not on my templars or my Seekers. Not even on the fool Emperor himself. Send emissaries, if you wish, investigators or peacekeepers with my army if you want assurance - if that shall be a part of the bargain, then we will not slaughter a single mage who has surrendered, under my word of honour."

He was getting old. He could feel it in his bones, hear it through his words like grey light trickling through thin silk curtains, see it on his wrinkled hands. And moreover, he was shamed to admit that the Divine's flattery did not entirely miss its target. When the body grows weak, it begins to long for love and caress. Lambert had thought he was an exception, once: a long time ago. Perhaps not now, however. Was he only a man after all? Again he felt the rushing warmth of anger in his veins, accompanied by a sudden flare deep within his eyes. In this matter the Lord Seeker was unique: he was the master of appearances.

"But know, that I have not entirely spent my wrath or need for vengeance yet. I must press on, Divine. Maleficarum cannot be spared. Those who walk in the Light shall be spared and forgiven for ever, but I cannot forgive those who have turned their backs so entirely to the Maker. We cannot spare serpents, that will without a doubt turn on us at the first chance they get, simply because of pity. You surely see this. But I have no such obligations towards other mages."

[Justinia V]

"Indeed. The maleficarum have chosen their paths, and even if you did offer them aid, I fear the poor, misguided children wouldn't even listen!"

"I know who to send with you, but I am afraid she is rather late, yes. I'm sure she'll catch up to your army, however. And I do appreciate it, Lambert, most men would be too small to do this. But you never were. I know you do what you see is best for the world, Lambert, I do! My only hope is that when this war is over - and you, of course, stand victorious - we can show the mages, the good mages who always served the Chantry, that we are not ruthless apostate-slayers as they'd have the entire Thedas believe! Perhaps peace can only be achieved with further war, but one day, it will all end, and we will have to rebuild." Said she, while inside wondering with such a thing as the end of war was even possible. During her entire reign the Divine saw a Blight, two rebellions, the threat of a Qunari invasion and even disturbing reports of a new Blight, stirring in Orlais itself, though she had yet to be touched by it's effects, if true.

Her somber appearance suddenly turned bright and cheery, however, and she smiled wide at Lambert, almost childish.

"Now then!"

She clapped her hands loud enough for the lay-sisters outside to hear and hurriedly bring about a plate of assorted Orlesian delicacies, along with wine and tea.

She peered at them as they left. "Adorable, aren't they? I didn't even have to ask! I just hope they weren't eavesdropping. That'd be hardly appropriate."

She turned to Lambert, gesturing to the plates that stood between them.

"Now my dear, can I interest you in wine or tea? Some food, perhaps? I'm sure you're weary for all the travelling and some banter not related to the war at all would do you good. Then, I'll bless you and your men before you leave and you can go on your way!"


Perhaps she was a victim of her own drive for peace. She knew the odds of Lambert accepting the proposal were low, but frankly, the woman's last years were nothing but talk of war and decay, and she could do some calm conversation, herself.

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Lambert graciously took a cup of wine into his extended hand and sipped from it, no doubt due to the enormous heat outside. He smiled and said:

"I should perhaps fix my previous statement a little: spending your day inside was perhaps a wiser choice than mine."

Just then he eased back into his chair, his expression turning more severe. Lambert intertwined his hands in a subconscious gesture.

"We shall see just how these constant wars have affected Thedas, I am assured. And as for mages, they are simply one part of the machine we have created. People like you and me dictate that machine, in our parts, and I believe that by making the right decision, there shall be at least a small peace. A moment of solitude, perhaps, before yet another conflict divides the nations. I believe that we both are old enough to know this - and vainglorious enough to try and stop it, in our own way. I must tell you this, however. I stepped in here, thinking that we could hold no agreement over matters like this. You have proven me wrong with your wisdom, it seems. It is remarkably fascinating that, once again, the true decision comes from the middle ground between us. But note this: after I have crushed the rebellious components and shattered the already ruined fortress, there will come a short pause. Since you have proven to hold both of our interests at heart, at least for the time being, I must ask you: how would you deal with the captured magus?"

He turned a pair of cold, steely eyes at the Divine. The million-crown question.

[Justinia V]

"The maleficarum?" She frowns. "I... Cannot be delusional - Specially not in my position - and say those can be forgiven. If they've taken up blood magic, the only choice we can give them is the dreaded tranquility... Or death." Magic was indeed a foul weapon, and blood magic even more-so. She wanted peace, but as another non-mage, she couldn't even pretend to understand what powers magic had. Caution was paramount.

"The others, however, the ones that prove themselves simple apostates and are willing to return to as it was before? They, I believe, should go back to the Circle, but kept under a tighter watch for at least the first year.

The ones that refuse both the Circle or Tranquility even after the end of the war, have chosen their own fate, have they not? They'd rather die than try to achieve a momentary peace, then they should be given their desires."

"I do think we will need a lengthy discussion about how to give the older members of the Circle - the ones that have proven themselves loyal time and again - permissions the others lack. Like perhaps being allowed to leave the tower whenever they wished, but escorted by our own and having to return at the end of the day? Or even allow the younger magi to celebrate if they complete their Harrowing in a tavern, perhaps.

I think these small things are what would keep evil at bay, Lambert, and giving them this choice, proof we are not unreasonable people, perhaps will allow us to one day consider the magi's freedom."

The words were bitter when they left her mouth. Perhaps the Divine herself did not expect to be such a woman. But the words rung true, and as sadly as it was, the mages that started this war would simply start another if left unpunished. Would she rather let them go free? Perhaps, yes. But what good would it do trying to convince Lambert of such now? They had to end this fighting first, and then in the coming years prove to the man that it was well possible for magi to be deserving of small liberty - Which would pave the way for an era of understanding and perhaps eventually freedom to the magi.

She snaps back into reality, nodding at Lambert.

"Perhaps a simpler way to say this would be this: I believe all Maleficarum would use their blood magic during the battle, since there is no need to hide it anymore. Those should be slain, or made Tranquil, for they wield the very same magic that corrupted the Golden City and sadly, it cannot be forgiven. Not by men, at least. Their souls are to be given to the Maker so he can judge them, for we cannot.

And the apostates - The ones that are captured, at least - that chose to rejoin the Circle, why not allow them to do so? Some senior enchanters that proved themselves loyal time and again joined the rebellion only out of fear for their apprentices. I'm sure they'd be willing to go back.

The ones who choose to fight back or reject all offers of peace, however, give us no choice, do they, Lambert? We have to think of the good of the people and, sadly, even mages like Anders who hold good in their hearts have proven themselves capable of destroying the lives of innocents only for their message of justice. I pray for him, but I would not even try to hold you back if he was captured, as I don't even think I could."

[Cassandra Pentaghast]

Val Royeaux the capital city of Thedas and home to the Chantry of Andraste was a beautiful as the pale moonlight. Its structure stood tall and proud over its citizens and the stonework could easily been seen by travellers as they enter into a place of worship, wisdom and hope. Its citizens would often seek guidance and prayer from the tall giant statue of lady Andraste herself or they simply continued living their lives in peace from a terrible war which was being waged past each stone wall and beyond the lands of Orlais. Ever since the attack by rogue blood mages and even from the might of dragons, security had been tightened while no stone was left unturned to make sure nothing evil could enter the city of the beating heart of the Chantry devoted to her ladyship Andraste. Templar guards loyal to her Grace remained at different sections of Val Royeaux to make sure none would dare to seek bring chaos to the time of peace in this holy land. The air was cool and yet chilly while the heavens shone their light of the sun down upon the land of man, Winter was fast approaching but it didn’t phase the innocent people as they did their best to sell their goods to anyone passing their stalls.

Meanwhile at the main gates two heavily armoured Templars stood watch like hawk, armed with sword that shone in the sun they were completely still like statues while on their eyes looked around for any signs of trouble. However the shadow of a figure stood before them which made them instantly look towards the shadow, however they stood to attention and saluted the shadow as it marched past both guards and into the city. People began to cheer and applaud as the Cassandra Pentaghast the Hero of Orlais marched proudly amongst her people, some even followed her through the streets but were soon forced away as armed guards provided her with an escort through the city as she headed onwards to the Grand Cathedral.

Dressed in a full plate armour with the sigh of the Seeker blazoned in pure white, with a black cloak which was connected just underneath the pauldrons. It had been many days, weeks and months since she was given the order to find the Champion of Kirkwall and The Warden, but so far her findings were mere speculations. However after receiving word from her Holiness to come and see her to report her findings, Cassandra wasted very little time to come to Val Royeaux. Being the right hand of the Divine was a privilege and an honor and thus she takes the role very seriously which practically makes her one of the most important person in Orlais besides from Lord Seeker Lambert and the Divines like Justinia.

With a nod of gratitude to her fellow Seekers, Cassandra marched forwards and the doors opened outwards for her to enter. Upon entering the grand halls, she was greeted by one of the priests there who instantly recognised Cassandra and her title. Quietly they began to converse with each other which led to realising that her Holiness was in the tower inside her own room, with a nod she followed the priest deeper towards the centre of the Cathedral. But immediately Cassandra knelt before a giant statue of Andraste and prayed to her for guidance, after finishing her prayer she stood back up and followed the priest up a set of stairs and headed upwards.

As she followed the priest, Cassandra remained confident and slowly watched her surroundings as her cloak billowed with each step her feet took. Finally Cassandra arrived at the door that led into the room where her Holiness was, in respect Cassandra stood to attention and immediately the priest nodded to her and knocked about two times on the door.

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

The doors of the Grand Cathedral opened with a loud bang. The Seekers outside retreated back into corners and groups of people, watching the newcomer with great interest. Exchanging worried glances with the others, the leader finally nodded one of their number to enter in Cassandra's footsteps. They could do nothing but watch and be wary. Castor, interrupted from his prayer by the sudden noise, turned solemnly to look at the visitors. A quiet, rasping breath passed through his parted lips. He suddenly began to feel a little sour in the stomach.

Meanwhile the conversation between the Divine and Lambert continued.

"Death and tranquility will await most of the mages, Divine. I suspect that a large portion of their number is not willing to simply give up. What do you suggest? Give them false hope? We both know that they do not want to be in the Circles. They want complete freedom, thus why they are rebels. I believe - to my own great sorrow - that this conflict will take many many lives before it is finished, both templar and mage, yet the greatest pain will be beset on the magic-wielding portion."

He was on the verge of continuing. How he would tranquilize the mages, how he destroyed them and eradicated them from the face of the earth. But no. He was still in control of his capacities.

"You should, too, prepare for violence. Prepare your forces, for they will be needed yet again. And one more thing, Divine."

He turned his gaze away from her, but soon returned it. His eyes were flaring again.

"Why on earth did you help the mages? At the siege of Val Royeaux, when we had the rebellious elements well under control. When there was little need of full-scale war and extermination of mages. You helped them escape, caused the collapsing of the White Spire and nearly killed me alongside all of my armed forces in the city. You caused this war, Divine, yet you talk of... restoration, of peace. Is it so that you regret your deeds? Or do I only see a great liar sitting in front of me?"

Right after he had finished his sentence, someone pounded the door twice. Lambert gave the Divine a knowing look; this had to be the person she was talking about earlier.

[Justinia V]

"A liar, am I? Wouldn't that make us both one and the same, my dear? We both know you never walked into this church in order to request - or demand, for that matter - my assistance. I believe perhaps, this conversation was only so you could ask this one question, was it not? After all, since you annulled the Nevarran Accord, you don't respond to the Chantry anymore - In fact, you're not even part of it. You're the Lord Seeker of the Inquisition, and not the Chantry."

She chuckled. "I wish for peace, Lambert. I always have. The rebellion had started long before I assisted the mages in the White Spire and, frankly, I was hoping it would end there. I was also hoping I wouldn't get caught." She mused. There was no need to lie about the obvious, after all. "Either way, I entered this war full aware both of us may be dead by the end of it, have you not? I'm playing with the cards that I'm given, Lambert, merely to withhold the will of the Chantry."

"Just like I never intended for you to die, I never intended for the mages to be shackled again or to resort to blood magic. The situation, however, is well out of control. You can fool yourself saying that it'd have been controlled in the White Spire, my dear, but the war would erupt one way or the other - The mages were making plights of freedom long before and they would remain if you had killed the ringleaders that day. In fact, did I not do you a service? Now they have leaders that they rely on, and if those leaders are removed, the rebellion dies. Before, should you have suceeded, the Circle would have been destroyed just the same, except they would move like a mindless horde. It would be impossible to end the rebellion fully because it would have no leaders. All mages would be fighting for the same thing in different ways. And then, my dear Lambert, you'd be left chasing the entire world and trying to bend it to it's knees. Though that is something you've always wanted to achieve, I'm sure."

"My envoy will go with you, and she will have to return, alive, if you do not want me moving publicly against you. Not to mention that if a Pendaghast died, the Nevarran Royalty wouldn't be too pleased with the Inquisition, would it?"

A pause. She examined Lambert's features. "The war started because you would not let the mages be, Lambert. I sparked it because I would not let you be. Do you remember the Chant, Seeker? Shall I enlighten you?" She didn't wait for an answer before continuing.

"All men are the Work of our Maker's Hands,
From the lowest slaves
To the highest kings.
Those who bring harm
Without provocation to the least of His children
Are hated and accursed by the Maker. "

"That would be from Transfigurations 1.5. Mages are as maker-given as all of us. They wish for their peace, then why can they not have it? You were ready to kill those who merely wanted freedom without provocation. I am ready to stop you." She crossed her arms, peering deeply into the Seeker's eyes. "But while there are maleficarum among the mages, they must be rooted out before they corrupt the others. That is also in the Chant, and that is why we're even having this conversation."

Perhaps the first time in the conversation, the Divine's eyes turned sharp, glaring in a deep stare at the Lord Seeker.

"Am I a liar, you asked. I am not. I am the White Divine of the Chantry of Light, and I will sooner die before you hold me from doing what is right."


Cassandra's time seemed impeccable. At the very least, Lambert would have to swallow her words as the last and not inquire further. She stood up and walked to the door, opening and smiling wide at the woman on the other side. "Cassandra. Do come in, my dear." She turned to Lambert while giving way. "I believe we'll have to finish at another time, yes?"

[Cassandra Pentaghast]

Waves of emotions poured deep into Cassandra's mind as she patiently awaited any word from her grace Justinia. Apart from her own family this White Divine Justinia the fifth was now the most important person in her life apart from her trusted friends and of course her loved ones, now she had a role to live up to that was completely of the highest honor given to anyone. Ever since she saved her holiness from the rogue blood mage while also defeating the dragons, Cassandra silently vowed to do everything with her power to accomplish any orders given by Justinia, but no matter how famous she was her heart would never forget the aid given by Galleon and his friends. She owed him a great debt and prayed to Andraste if he was alive and not one of the many casualties that was now taking its toll on both Mages and Templars alike, something had to be done soon or humanity will be pushed to the brink of all out war in all of Thedas itself.

As silent as the hallways the priest bowed his head in respect to the young Seeker and soon departed to leave as Cassandra slowly got down to one knee to await word from her grace, her utter devotion was all for the White Divine and the Chantry of Andraste now and forever. But if there was one thing her battle to save Orlais had taught her it was she now had a reason and a determination to survive no matter how hard the task or the opponent, she backed down from no one even against former allies and especially against dragons and Darkspawn.

Soon she lifted her head to the door as it slowly opened and her holiness herself appeared with a heart warming smile. Cassandra silently returned it and soon stood up as she told her to enter into her chambers, quietly she marched into the humble abode of her new leader. But to her utter disgust there standing in the room was Lord Seeker Lambert the lord and leader of the Templars, her eyes narrowed in anger before the dictator but revealing anger and hatred before her holiness was dishonourable so she kept her feelings deep within.

No doubt Lambert had come to see Justinia to gloat about having getting closer to end the mages. When it comes to confidence his was definitely superior and so he lived up to an old saying that Cassandra always kept in mind, for those that have power uses that power and becomes corrupt by it, she knew for a fact that she also had power. However she was going to use it in the name of Justinia and the Chantry, quietly she ignored Lambert and quietly waited to be spoken to as she waited patiently while standing to full attention.

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Lambert rotated his head and saw Cassandra, clad as though coming straight from a battle, turning her eyes away at the exact moment he tried to meet them. He inspected her features for a few seconds - not as long that it would seem unappropriate - and then turned them away, draining the remainder of his wine. She seemed no different than before: the disgusted look in her eyes was the same, the determined posture was the same, and the affection she felt for the Divine was still obvious. He turned his gaze at the Divine, managing a weak smile on his lips. He was still in control, after all. And he would yet have the whole world to control - or guide into the right direction - should his plotting bear any fruit.

"I fear we must do so indeed, Divine. It pains me that we cannot reach an agreement, but perhaps the Maker has ordered it so."

What a load of rubbish. He once again realized how he should've already killed the Divine a long time ago, and now it struck him how stupid he had been. Her corpse would be tossed into a midden, buried under every sort of filth her 'followers' threw in there, and forgotten as a new, more amenable Divine followed in her footsteps. Lambert was already quite sure that Justinia V, the White Divine, had already taken steps to become the Black Divine. He could just see it: Justinia V, the White Divine to the public, the Black Divine and the master of the underworld to those who knew. Well, Lambert knew it all too well. She was not going to be amenable. She was going to pull the world into chaos. But, he thought, she will bring her friends and followers down with her. Cassandra won't have the privileges she once had, soon... In Lambert's eyes, she was not a Seeker anymore. Simply a bloody backstabber. And in truth, he had already taken steps to secure her downfall. He turned his smile to Cassandra.

"But now we must discuss the upcoming campaign. You see, Cassandra, I have been amenable. It seems like you are coming with our army to see that no surrendered mages are harmed after we have crushed the rebellion. So do not fear: their forces will be crushed and captured. Splendid, is it not?"

He enjoyed playing with her this way. As if he still believed she wasn't a direct servant to the Divine. The Black Divine. That had been settled already, had it not?

[Justinia V]

"Oh, no, that is quite alright, Lambert. I will brief her myself when I have the time. Now my dear, if you'd be so kind as to sit down? I do want to know how you've been, after all!"

She would not let her leave before having speaking in private to Cassandra about Lambert. The man was a fox and he would undoubtedly try to strike Cassandra down as soon as the chance arrived.

No, she had to talk to her alone. Tell her to prepare for the betrayal that will assuredly come.

She made way to her seat, pointing to the one directly at her side afterwards. "I believe, my dear Lambert, that since we've both established that the talk of war is over, I can now have the peaceful talk I wished for. Tell me, Cassandra, how fare your travels? Have you any news to tell? I'm sure that anything you will say is nothing the Lord Seeker can't hear." The emphasis at the last words were just enough so that Cassandra could grasp the meaning of them and, even if Lambert did as well, not be able to inquire. The vices of society were an amusing thing to the Divine. The man was a prude, and given his position, he wouldn't risk looking improper. Not when they're not alone anymore, that is.