Trust In The Maker [Finished]

[Angel]

Soft footsteps echoed in the halls of the Grand Cathedral as a young woman walked softly around, doing her duties by cleaning the statues, dusting off the seats and being an ear to people who just wanted some form of wisdom from someone who wasn't exactly a person of the Chantry. Starting to wipe gently at one of the statues of the beloved Andraste, Angel looked up and smiled as she worked from the top down, working gently as if she were washing a child. Mind, to her that was what it was.

Thus was Angel's way of life now, with the exclusion of her training when she is summoned as the young blond continued her duties that she had done many times the last six years, and many before in another Chantry. It was the latter though that gave her happiness with her duties......

Now it feels like she is doing someone else's jobs, in someone else's home where she doesn't belong. But she can't go back home..... No, not after what that Apostate did to her beloved home and her Mother....

Fists clenching around her piece of cloth as salty tears ran down the angelic girl's cheeks and down onto her slightly shabby dress that she wore as a servant/worker of the Chantry as her eyes shut and her face pointed down as she remembered the last day she saw Elthina.

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It was another day, at the Kirkwall Chantry; with Angel being a few years younger physically (and many more mentally) as she washed some of the flooring whilst humming part of the Chant of Light as she did with her sweet voice, slightly echoing in the Halls. When she heard familiar footsteps approach, though they were a little bit different; they sounded.... Heavier, more tired, almost weary of the world.

This made Angel concerned as she turned to see whether it was who she thought it was... And there, standing just shy of her.... Was Elthina. "Good morning, my daughter. You seem to be doing very well with the floors today." The older woman complimented as Angel stood up and dusted off her dress before Elthina surprised her by embracing her... Gently.

"M-Mother? What is... What is wrong? Has something happened?" She asked, taking a few moments to calm herself before hugging her Mother back as she just let her Grand Cleric hold her for her own reasons. They stayed like that for what seemed like a long period of time before Elthina drew away. "Nothing... yet.... But I fear that soon, something may happen and I don't want you to get hurt from it..." She sighed before looking at Angel with sad eyes before adding, "So therefore my angel, I have asked the Divine if she would accept you into the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux and that you would go there."

Silence hung in the Chantry as Angel took in her words before stepping back, shaking her head. "No.... No! I won't go! Not without you! Please... Please my Mother, don't send me away! Not when it's possible that you could b..." She was cut off by Elthina's fingers on her lips. "Angelica...... The Maker guides our paths for a reason.... And I know that my time is coming short, one way or another.... But as I said, I don't want you to get hurt, not when you are so young and could do so much for the world.... Go, my child.... Everything will be alright."

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Those last words echoed in Angel's mind and heart as she collapsed to her knees in front of the statue of Andraste, tears streaming down her face as the woman completely broke down, in her dark little insignificant corner of the Cathedral as her heart grieved still.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Striding through the grand cathedral with his usual calm confidence, though feeling somewhat naked without his armour, Dante Machiavelli took in every detail, just as he had trained himself to for years. His eyes swiftly looked Angel over as he walked, causing him to smile approvingly as he saw the care that she was taking. Silently he turned to one of the statues that had already been done and ran a finger across it, almost picking up on the tender care that had gone in to it. Seeing such dedication brought a smile to the usually stoic Seeker's face. Turning to speak with the young woman he noticed that there were tears going down her face moments before she dropped to her knees and broke down in tears. Moving with even steps he walked up behind the girl and gently put one if his arms round her. "Hey, what's wrong? Is there anything you want to talk about?" He asked gently, a concerned look on his face. If any of his subordinates could see him now...

[Angel]

Freezing at the feel of an arm around her shoulder, Angel swiftly looked up and through her teary eyes she thought she saw.... "El.....Elthina?" She whispered but then she blinked and saw her vision clear to see a man instead and her eyes saddened more, for they had sparkled a little with hope. That was when she had actually registered what he had said to her.

"My.... My apologies, Messere..... There's nothing that can be done now of my sorrow....." Angel replied as she wiped away as many of her tears as she could before looking back up. "Did... Did you want something, or someone? Her holiness, perhaps? She might be overseeing everyone in the main part of the Cathedral...... Or she could be in her office; I can go and look if you wish, Messere." She stated as she stood up and straightened her dress before brushing it down a little, despite the little dust that was there.

Tucking one of her blond waves behind her ears, Angel's blue eyes looked up to the stranger as their sadness shone through along with some of the innocence mixed with pain that was there as the woman tried to plant a slight smile onto her face.

[Dante Machiavelli]

A small "ah" escaped Dante's lips as he heard the girl whisper. He could only guess that she had been close to Kirkwall's grand cleric. The events of that night were truly tragic. As she answered his question he slowly shook his head. "Unfortunately you may be correct. Having previously met Elthina however, I can tell you that she would not want to see you like this." Slowly rising the big seeker placed one hand one Angel's shoulder. "Life is too short to spend in sorrow, remember the happy times that you had with her rather than focussing on how she left us to join the maker." It was a talk that he had often given grieving comrades during his days as the White Spire's knight-captain. "You are a part of her legacy and owe it to her to make her proud as she watches from the Golden-City." Releasing his gentle grip he took a step back and gestured to the statues. "I was more interested in the wonderful being who shows such dedication to her work. You truly enjoy what you do, don't you?" Suddenly a slightly shocked look crossed his face. "Oh! How rude of me!" He muttered. "Dante Machiavelli, former Knight-Captain of the White Spire at your service." He stated with a bow.

[Angel]

Angel sighed at the man's words, "I know Messere......" She stated before he continued to talk as she looked up at him, "I try to Messere but.... I miss her, and the rest of my family who I'd known since I was a babe..... I miss their faces.... Their smiles, the familiarity of their footsteps......"

At his words of making Elthina proud, Angel nodded. "Hence why I give the same amount of care to my duties here, as I did back home in the Kirkwall Chantry.... It had been pretty much my way of contributing to the Chantry seen as they all took me in..... Plus, I'm in training to work for the Divine on.... Other matters." She replied before she smiled at his bow. "You don't need to bow to me, Messere Machiavelli..." She giggled before curtseying, "My name is Angel.... Well, technically Angelica.... But I prefer Angel.... Servant/Assistant of the Chantry and Her Holiness." She introduced herself.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Listening carefully to Angel's words the seeker nodded. "I understand how you feel, I've seen many of my comrades and more subordinates than I'd like leave this life for the next. I can still remember every one of them." He stated sympathetically, shuddering slightly as he recalled their deaths. Even the first still brought him pain...Shaking his head for a moment he then focussed on the conversation once more, a thoughtful look on his face. "Still, we have something in common, I was brought up in a chantry in Antiva before my Templar training." So, she was training to do certain 'tasks' for the divine... Interesting. "It is nice to meet you my dear and may I say that your name certainly fits." He smiled, considering the young woman for a moment. He decided to strike. "Tell me, what sort of training is it that you are recieving? If you tell me this I will tell you a little more of myself yes?" The offer made, he settled back slightly and carefully watched her reaction.

[Angel]

Angel sighed, "It isn't easy no... But.... The Maker guides our paths in some strange directions, and He does this for reasons that only He knows...." She stated as she rubbed her arm a little as she looked at Dante and smiled. "Thank you.... Elthina gave it to me, said that she knew what to call me when she first found me on the Chantry doorstep."

Angel crossed her arms a little in contemplation whilst leaning back on herself, should she reveal such information? Especially if Lambert was possibly nearby, such information could potentially do more harm to the Divine than good. Taking a chance, Angel smiled. "I am in training to be one of her Holiness' Agents..... I owe my very life to her after all, so it is only right that I should dedicate myself to her, no?" She stated, a small hint of pride in her voice which she cannot help.

[Dante Machiavelli]

"Aye, that he does." Dante agreed, closing his eyes for a moment. The only one who might have been able to answer that greatest of questions had been Andraste and Tevinter had put her to the sword. Opening his eyes again he looked down at the smiling woman. "That smile is so much better than your tears, it's the sort of smile that I fight for and confirms my thoughts on Elthina's excellent choice." Agent of the divine. He guessed right. "Indeed, we have more in common than I thought, I myself am the recently promoted High-Seeker of the Free Marches, though a conflicted one. For now I continue with my duties whilst retaining my vows to the chantry... Though I fear there may come a day when I must choose one or the other..." Slowly the seeker crossed his arms across his chest. "I only pray that I make the right choice."

[Angel]

Angel nodded before she blushed a little at his comment on her smile, "Thank you.... Truly...." Was all she could say for such a compliment as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Angel smiled, "I had a feeling that you were a Seeker, when you said that you were the Knight-Captain...." She stated with a little twinkle in her blue eyes. "I'm sure you will, High-Seeker.... What I worry about is how some of the Seekers here are... Well..." She paused as she looked around, she really didn't want to say anything out of turn, especially in such an open area.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Dante couldn't suppress a smile as he saw Angel blush, though it faded slightly as she.told him that she guessed he was a seeker from something that he himself had said earlier. Sloppy Dante, use a cover story next time. Still, it was nice hearing the faith that she had in his judgement. "Over-zealous? Militant? I agree. Many have strayed from our purpose for the sake of bloodlust. Still I certainly hope that I deserve your faith, either path will bring me great pain yet I must see past that to the repercussions that my actions will have for others." He sighed as he finished speaking, this conversation certainly gave him something to think about. "I've never really been the sort to want all mages gone, I wish simply to combat the root of corruption. Demons. Many of my brethren seem to have forgotten that we are meant to protect those with magic, not just kill maleficarum." He mused almost to himself. "Still, enough about me, how long have you been training now?"

[Angel]

Angel looked at Dante before whispering, "Forgetting the vows that they make..... Otherwise, yes..... Just what you are saying.... And of course I do...." She smiled, "Someone who, not only notices me and my work, but actually ignores all else to comfort someone.... Is very deserving of my faith... Besides, if we do not have our faith what do we have?" She questioned with a delicate shrug of her shoulders.

Angel sighed, "I know that feeling... I accept Mages, I even sympathise with them a little..... Except one....." She breathed out heavily before continuing, "But I do not condemn all Mages.... That's why I think this war is wrong, so I started training to be an Agent of the Divine.... About a year ago or so now...." She replied to his statement and his question in one.

[Dante Machiavelli]

"Indeed..." Was Dante's inititial reaction to Angel's words. "Funny, I'm the one thanking you now, how quickly situations change. Your faith is truly a welcome thing my dear, especially with my own... Left conflicted. Perhaps you and others like you will give me some clarity in future." He mused, running a hand through his pitch black locks. Then his hand stopped. "Except one..." He repeated to himself. "Yes, him... The most wanted man in the free marches although he was not responsible for the war... He was simply the spark that set the fire in that regard. I'd be looking for him personally however were it not for the current situation." He considered, scratching his neck. "It is truly unfortunate what has happened over the past five years... Finding a peaceful solution is... Difficult however, just as many mages seem willing to fight as templars, I sort of empathise with them in a way though..." Trailing off he looked out of the window, a concerned look on his face. "Perhaps this war might never end..."

[Angel]

Angel smiled, "Trust in the Maker, for he knows things that we do not and cannot know...." She stated, "Hence why people like me exist, I guess...." She mused in return.

Then she nodded, "Yeah... The final spark, but the war had long been brewing beforehand.... Even I realised this way back when...." Angel stated, her face all serious and etched all of a sudden; making her seem much older than she should look, let alone is.

Angel let out a soft sigh at this, "I'm still hoping that there may be.... Some of the Mages are only fighting in order to survive...... But, maybe that's the Chantry raised optimism in me..." She replied with her light blue eyes looking up at Dante.

[Dante Machiavelli]

Still looking out of the window for a moment Dante nodded. "Aye, perhaps I could be vain enough to think that this meeting is his way of trying to give me guidance..." He breathed, just loud enough for Angel to hear. Then he shook his head sadly. "Many did and tried to prevent it. Unfortunately my predecessor was not... Diligent enough to to deal with the powder keg that was Kirkwall. I won't make a similar mistake." Slowly he folded his hands behind his back and turned back to the woman. "Certainly, the vast majority only fight because they need to, I allow them to surrender usually unless I see evidence of blood magic of course. Likewise any templar who refuses to accept my decision faces the same fate as maleficarum. Demons are my speciality though." He nodded thoughtfully. "I'm happy to give anyone a second chance unless demons are involved. Then mercy is found only on the edge of my blade. Maybe one day I and those like me will become unecessary... I'd like that future." With a sigh he peered down the corridor. "I had best be going, a ship is waiting. If ever you are in need find me in Kirkwall." Clapping his fist to his chest in salute he turned on his heel and quietly strode down the corridor, the conversation going through his mind repeatedly. Her words had concerned him far more than he would ever let on. He needed to meditate on this.

[Angel]

Angel smled softly as she slightly looked out of the window as well, "The Maker works in very strange ways.... And often is in the most unlikely of places...." She uttered softly from her lips.

"Perhaps such a day will be possible, Seeker Dante..... We just need to open our eyes and hearts to find such a day, perhaps...." She replied to that before Angel crossed her arms over her chest and bowed to Dante, "May the Maker guard you, and Andraste guide your steps Seeker Dante." She spoke softly in parting as she watched him go before returning to her duties.