The Chantry [Open]

[Cassandra Pentaghast]

At the very beginning she had no idea that her destiny would change forever. When her brother was killed by blood mages, she devoted her life to hating all mages, then she grew into a powerful warrior and a hunter of Dragons. At that time Cassandra first met her grace Justinia the 5th after visiting the Grand Cathedral with the former High Seeker, now she was the right hand of the Divine and hero of Orlais which was a honorable title that she proudly lived up to. However deep down she felt that she may have disappointed her grace as she was still doing her best to track down Hawke and the Champion of Ferelden. But there was something else in the room apart from herself and Justinia, Lambert was also there which put a nasty taste in Cassandra's mouth.

To the young warrior, this man matched the evil in the Darkspawn and was completely sick of his ways to get what he wanted. Yet she kept her feelings in check and calmly watched Lambert as his words were filled with supreme confidence. His was perhaps just too cocky for his own good, yet he needed that to bring morale to his men and thus would help them fight better in combat, but he was a wriggly snake as he could wriggle out of tough situations. As she remained focused she stared hard at the Lord Seeker and spoke in total honesty while keeping her true feelings at bay.

"I still disapprove of your methods Lord Seeker, But my place is beside her grace. However should she wish for to accompany you then so be it, yet you seem confident that the mages will be defeated. Why is this?"

Quickly she soon bowed her head to Justinia and followed her to the table where Cassandra quickly sat down on the seat where the Divine had pointed too. She relaxed her tense muscles and quietly watched as Justinia slowly joined her and asked her about her travels, it was too dangerous to tell Lambert all about the mission so she decided to play it safe and spoke in complete respect to Justinia while speaking in total honesty.

"I cant lie to you your grace, my travels has been quite interesting. Yet it has been uneventful so unfortunately I regret to tell you that there is no news yet but thanks to a story and a few people I met, I am quite confident I will bring you some good news soon. But how have you've been your grace? It has been a while since I last saw you"

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Lambert had not held false hope for keeping Cassandra's respect: he knew that her respect he had lost the moment the Divine had brought her around to her ways. How strange that small details - to kill mages for their dangerous qualities or to not kill them - directed stances, separated millions of people from each other. The end result would still be the same: the mages no longer a threat and the world as it should be, that was to say: peaceful. Mages were a constant threat to society. How could they not see it from his point of view was beyond him, but perhaps only natural. Which angle was the correct one to tackle the matter from did not interest Lambert anyway.

"I do not object, Cassandra. It is within anyone's rights to disapprove with me, although it is a given that angering me is not beneficial. As for your question, I am sure that my answer could interest the Divine as well. I have fourty thousand men, specifically trained to kill those who wield magic. They can shield themselves against blood magic, and so and and so on. You do know this, Cassandra - you are capable of it yourself. One of the greatest templars of our time. The mages have a few thousand apostates. Their morale wavers. If my guesses are correct, most of them will turn to blood magic as their last salvation. Perhaps with you there, we can prevent some of these turns. In any case, we have ten times their number and proper siege equipment to batter the fortress into pieces. There is no hope for their rebellion to succeed, and there never will be. Perhaps mages will be free one day, but that will not be today nor in our livetimes. And for now, it is my duty to assure that they will bring us no harm."

He had kept his calm extraordinarily, considering his age - a year ago he had been in the condition of his life! - yet a sense of greatness had overcame him during the last final words. He felt that he needed to amend that somehow.

"And in any case, perhaps there are things you would like to know as well. Did you know, for example, that a companion of the Champion of Kirkwall has been pinpointed to reside in Orlais? I believe that his name is Fenris."

He looked at Cassandra, expecting her to be surprised. It was not an attempt of trying to help her, at least, but simply to see her reaction.

[Justinia V]

Justinia calmly let her hands rest on her lap, peering inquisitively at Lambert. "That is certainly interesting news, dear Lambert, but I don't see why they concern us." Lambert didn't know about the search for the Warden or the Champion - Or at least was not supposed to. It was never mentioned to anyone outside of Leliana, Cassandra, and the ones she trusted.

If this was simply a bait, it was an uncanny one. Hopefully Cassandra would see through it - After all, thanks to Varric Tethras, not only they knew about the Champion's companions, Fenris included, they also knew none of them knew where he was. Thus, seeking Fenris would be a pointless endeavor, specially with the Lord Seeker aware of his positioning as well.

She simply shrugged and sipped on her tea.

"I'll look forward to our conversation, either way, Cassandra. But as we'd not want to bother Lord Lambert with it, we'll simply wait for when he leaves."

She wasn't particularly afraid to appear rude or to seem like she was expelling him in any way. After all, the man's presence there was less than desired.

[Cassandra Pentaghast]

Lambert was just as confident as always, he was a man who never ran out of confidence. But at least he was determined to end the conflict once and restore peace to Thedas, but again his methods were sickening while his plans were downright evil just so that he can get what he desired. The Lord Seeker reminded Cassandra about Knight Commander Martel who had secretly plotted the assassination of Justinia, the two had one thing in common and that was they were both maniacal men with a lust for power, at least she was in the same room as him just in case he wanted to personally kill the Divine.

Luckily he made no move against her, yet there was no denying the fact that she and Lambert both shared something in common. Both hated mages, especially blood mages which were the most dangerous of the all. But that was all they had in common, as far as Cassandra was concern Lambert could go and be destroyed by magic and she would not care one bit. However as ever she remained cool and calm in front of him and Justinia, the Lord Seeker voiced his answer about being over confident and now he had every right to be. But soon he spoke about one of the champion of Kirkwall's allies being in Val Royeaux, yet she found it strange as to why he spoke his name.

Turning to Lambert Cassandra just shrugged her shoulders and spoke calmly.

"You have every right to be confident Lord Seeker, but overconfidence could be your downfall so don't underestimate them. And why would you speak about the Champion of Kirkwall? And about this Fenris? This information is useless to us, we are talking about mages Lord Seeker not about the past"

She had to play it safe as long as Lambert was around. Still Cassandra was pleased with her response and soon patiently watched her grace Justinia as she told Cassandra to wait with her, immediately she nodded and replied.

"As you wish your grace"

[Lord Seeker Lambert]

Lambert smiled. "Apologizes. My curiosity overcame me."He ahd very quickly began to feel a tad tired of their company, however cunning or strong they might be. The three of them had never shared their opinions, and while he knew that Cassandra hated mages, it would matter little if she served the Divine.

"I can see that we have little more to discuss about," said Lambert, reaching out a hand to put down his wine goblet, "and perhaps it would be better for me to leave you two in peace." It would be only natural that after his departure, Cassandra would continue on to tell her exactly what she had learned - all the details included. She was not a liar, but easily capable of lying to a person she hated. Who wouldn't? In any case, he was not concerned over what tidbits of information he might miss here. In time, it would all still reach him. There was always a stack of reports to go through in the Seeker Fortress, and perhaps it was long past time for him to return there for a small while.

The Lord Seeker stood up and voiced his farewells to the two women. Then he opened the door and walked nimbly through the doorframe, and soon his receding footsteps could be heard from the room. As he arrived in the main hall of the Grand Cathedral, he felt oddly numb. Bored. The cool of his carriage suddenly felt a tad less inviting than before. Nevertheless, he made his way out of the Cathedral and into his carriage. Castor climbed up on the rider's perch again, and his Seekers-in-cover began to follow him, hiding from the public eye under a false garment.

"To the stables," the Lord Seeker commanded, "and make haste!"

[Justinia V]

Justinia nodded to Cassandra, but then turned to the windows and waved off the sentries. Admittedly she was disappointed the Lord Seeker did not draw blade at her; It'd have made the war certainly a lot shorter.

"Now then. We'll discuss this war matter shortly. Tell me, Cassandra."

She sat down again, peering at the woman with a loving, but stern gaze, much that of a disciplining mother, and nodded at the chairs.

"Tell me your news. What do you know of Hawke, or the Warden? And about Fenris, don't worry about him. Even if he knew exactly where the Champion is, we'd risk going after someone Lambert knows of."

She sighed. What a dire thing was, that this entire situation had become. There was nothing left to do now, though. She could only wait and see the results of her actions. With

[Cassandra Pentaghast]

Cassandra felt nervous and disappointed as she and Leliana had yet to find two of the most important people in human history, the Warden and Hawke. It was as though hope itself had simply vanished from Thedas, and had been replaced by chaos and disorder. Death had made its home in the war between magic and warriors who defend against it, yet Justina's right hand was not about to give up so easily. There was always a way you just had to find it somehow and if there was a slim chance if there were alive then the long haired warrior just had to take it, with the power mad Lambert gone from the tower she finally relaxed her tense muscles and sighed in relief showing her honesty to the white Divine.

Yet she calmly regained her composure and spoke clearly to Justinia while her heart and determination was shown on her face and her devotion and respect in her words.

"Your grace I wish I had better news, my search for the Champion and the Warden is still ongoing. I managed to interrogate Hawke's friend Varric and he told me the full story of the champion, from why she entered Kirkwall to when she witnessed a beginning of the war between Mages and Templars. Varric confirmed that Hawke was in a relationship with the one that started the war, a mage called Anders, yet he had no idea where Hawke had gone but he seemed confident that she was alive. And as for the Warden himself, Leliana believes he is either dead or has just simply disappeared, however we are doubling our efforts to find Hawke and the Champion of Ferelden"

[Justinia V]

"Who could kill the one who slain the Archdemon and lived? As for the Champion - If she was with Anders, then finding him means we find her. Even if they're not together, he has to know. For all our sakes.

Justinia sighed and, after resting her elbows in the table, supported her face with both hands, giving her a lazy, aloof appearance.

"If we can't find them, we're all lost. Poor Lambert would likely turn his army to the Chantry as soon as the mages are destroyed. He masks his thirst for power as holy retribution; He just wants to rule the world, through religion, with his own iron fist. He'll probably try to kill you in the march. Or shame you in some fashion. That is why I'm sending you, Cassandra. If he tries to attack you, escape. You make it here alive and I will use his attack to cut off any support he could have from the Chantry, as well as request support from Nevarra. He did try to kill a member of the royal family, after all."

She smiles softly at the Seeker. "It does not sit well with me to use someone as precious as you in this fashion, my dear Cassandra, but I have no choice. Without the templars, the Chantry has only a token force, and with the aid of Nevarra, the fabled dragon-slayers, even Lambert would think twice before attacking us. And we would play a bigger role in this war."

"I know that one day it will be me or Lambert. The difference, however, is that the Lord Seeker is so arrogant in his victories that he probably did not take measures should he fall. I already have." Justinia produces a sealed letter and stands up, pacing to Cassandra before handing it to her.

"This letter can not be opened until I die, Cassandra. It has my seal, my signature, and the name of the next White Divine. Lambert would try to overrule it, but he can't. It is always the Divine who chooses her successor. This letter must be kept hidden, locked away, so that you may only show it should I fall.

I know it is too much that I ask of you. It is always too much. But you are one of the two people in the Chantry that I can honestly trust." She pondered for a moment before proceeding. "Do not keep it in your home. Or in the Chantry; Keep it somewhere Lambert would never search; Another Chantry, perhaps, somewhere else; Go in as if to pray, then deliver the letter to the Revered Mother there."

She sighs again. "I am sorry for all these burdens, Cassandra."

[Angel]

Just as those last words left the Divine's lips, some noises of protest came as Angel was slightly pushed through into the area by a Seeker, who didn't realise he pushed her so hard that she landed onto the ground. "Forgive the intrusion, your Grace..... But I found this.... Girl eavesdropping nearby...." He sneered as he looked down at Angel who was starting to push herself up and tucked back one of her blond strands of hair as her angelic blue eyes looked up at the Divine in pleading.

"Your Holiness, I swear! I was not eavesdropping.... I was only cleaning one of the statues of the Beloved Andraste that was nearby...." She stated as she looked between Justina, Cassandra and the Seeker but her eyes remained upon the Divine. Compared with many here at the Chantry, Angel hadn't really been the Divine's direct presence except at the Divine's own accord but that was rare enough in either case.

Angel had been here for around 3 years since just before the fall of her own Chantry in Kirkwall and spent one of those years in almost complete isolation in grieving but slowly came out of her shell by cleaning the Cathedral as she had in Kirkwall with a strange tenderness and care that many of the other priests would recognise her cleaning compared to any one else as she laid there, slightly sprawled against the floor in her servant's clothing and a cleaning rag in one of her hands a she looked up at Justina, begging and pleading that the Divine would believe her.

[Justinia V]

((I'll be giving an "excuse" as to why Cassandra is inactive during the time Elissa is sick. When she is better, however, she is more than welcome to continue posting [and disregard the posting order, since a new one will be made]))

Justinia nodded to Cassandra before pointing at the table, seemingly ignoring the intrusion for a moment. "Do help yourself before you go, dear. We've all a lot to do; I just want you to sit back and relax for a while."

((PS: I never said it was a good excuse.))

She tilted her head, and made her way to where both girl and guard stood still, as if frozen in time, before frowning.

"Well! This is hardly proper. No, won't do at all! Very, very rude!" She glanced to Angel before turning her stare to the Seeker. "You can't go around throwing people like that!"

"Wh- But your holiness..." He was silent at her smile. "You Seekers. And Templars. And everyone here! You're all looking after me, so zealously, it brings joy to my old heart. But we can't go treating our own like this, yes? Else we'll be just like those we've chosen to avoid."

The Seeker was silent for a moment, before nodding. "Yes, your Holiness. I apologize."

Justinia was already midway through to helping Angel up when she nodded to the guard, smile persisting, and playfully muttered a "shoo".

She looked at the Sister in the eyes, now, peering over her features for a moment.

"You are... Angel, yes? I try really hard to memorize the name of all Sisters who live or visit this Chantry, but I am very sorry if I'm mistaken." She held the girl by her shoulders and, with surprising vigor for her age, tugged her upwards to help her stand on her feet.

"Would you like to join us, dear?"

[Angel]

When the Divine began her statement of being 'very improper', Angel was still watching at how she moved as if time meant nothing to her, it was.... Most wondorous to see until the words sank in, and Angel still hung her head a little. So she was surprised when the statement was turned to the Seeker and she was bemused by the Divine's smile as she watched the goings on.

Slowly getting up with Justina's help, Angel smiled softly before was slightly surprised by the older woman's strength, mind she was pretty light by nature as she nodded. "Y-Y-Yes... I am Angel, your Holiness...." Was really all she could say as her soft blue eyes looked into Justina's, amazed by the older woman as she tried not to stare, even after two years the Divine was still very impressive and surprised her every day.

Angel blinked a few times at the offering of joining them, "Uhhh.... I-I-I don't want to intrude anything... Besides, I.... I couldn't....." Now she was stuttering as her cheeks blushed a shiny pink, hinting on red as she rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. It took a long time to even say, 'Greetings, your Holiness.' when she first came here two years ago, just before Kirkwall.

[Justinia V]

Justinia chuckled. "Don't be shy." Once she was on her feet, Justinia wrapped an arm around her shoulder, to ease her into her presence - Or maybe to embarrass the girl further for her own amusement! - She moved, making Angel walk with her as she went, until they were at a little coffee table in one of the large meeting room's corner - The table invariably made a stark contrast with the majestic dining table Cassandra was currently seated in, and earlier was Lambert. Justinia sat first, pointing at the chair directly in front of her. "I much like this place. There's the best view of the Chantry's gardens than anywhere else!" She glanced at the vast flowerbeds that adorned the fields just outside the windows of the room;

"But please, do sit. Angel, would you indulge me a few questions?"

[Angel]

At first, Angel stiffened at the odd contact but soon after looking in Justina's eyes again, the girl relaxed as she walked with the older woman away from Cassandra and the Dining Table to a small coffee table where Angel could see and smell the flowers just outside the window which brought a soft smile to her angelic face, making her seem as young as when she first stepped into the Grand Cathedral three years ago.

Trying to sit down in the offered chair, somewhat gracefully, didn't really work for Angel as she didn't quite get the distance right though she managed to not make a fool of herself by straightening her knees a little and shifting backwards to sit onto the chair. "Of course, your Holiness.... I am an open book!" She smiled as she relaxed herself a little in Justina's presence.

[Justinia V]

((These will be short posts to keep the sense of a "Q&A" section.))

Justinia smiles. "How do you feel about the Maker?" Her first question lingered in the air. It was simple, yet her tone made it seem like there was more to it than that.

[Angel]

Angel hummed when she heard the question, leaning against the arm of the chair as she tried to work out what the tone in the Divine's voice meant in relation to the question, but she'll bite for now. "I feel that I owe my life to him.... Twice in actual fact, for I think He helped to ensure that I was outside the Kirkwall Chantry as a babe...... To be raised by His followers and to have as a family..... And then again when Elthina bade me to leave her behind... And to come here...." She sighed a little before adding, "I may question some things.... But the Maker sets us on our paths for a reason, and I have my Faith in him, I just doubt sometimes the state of the paths that He sets us down upon..."

She stopped to see whether that was actually answering Justina's question or not, it was hard to tell with the older woman.