Chapter 21. Plans and Paths

Greagoir and Irving just stared at the scroll; neither said a word. Irving was the first to break the silence. "Merciful Maker, what have they done?

Greagoir's voice reflected his disgust. "Focused everyone's attention away from the fact their they have no heir, kept themselves on the throne, and all but ensured another war with Orlais."

~oOOo~

Fergus angrily threw the scroll in the fire and watched as the flames danced around the delicate parchment making the edges curl and blacken. Within moments nothing was left of it except ashes. Just like my relationship with Aedan. He hadn't seen or spoken to his brother since Alistair. Any communications between Highever and the Crown had been in writing. That Aedan would have even considered the assassinations of Alistair and his family after what Howe did to us is unforgivable. Now this? He is no longer my brother.

Standing up he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He now had to tell his very pregnant wife, whose younger brother was a mage in Kinloch hold, that the King and Queen were forming Ferelden's own Chantry, one that would, undoubtedly, be even more oppressive than the current one. I swear Aedan, if Rayne or the baby is hurt in any way by the results of this proclamation, King or not, you will regret the day you were born.

~oOOo~

Nathaniel placed the scroll on his desk and looked toward Rafe and Loghain. "At least we have our autonomy officially acknowledged. That's something we've needed for a very long time."

Loghain chuckled. "You did get their attention when you told them that if we were forced to leave Ferelden, for any reason, the First Warden would decree that Ferelden be denied wardens in the event of another Blight. I am surprised that our First Warden has a good head on his shoulders, pleased, but surprised."

"Nate, your improvisational description of Wardens simply amassing at our boarders and waiting until the Horde was finished with Ferelden was the icing on the cake." Rafe smiled.

Nate grinned. "I thought so too. Since the last Blight was only ten years ago, the Bannorn would have called for Anora and Aedan's heads, and they would have succeeded." He stopped and looked at his Second. "I'm sorry, Loghain. I know that Anora is your daughter, but…"

Loghain put up his hand. "I know. I'm sorry I couldn't get her to yank Clodovea's chain. Anora is desperate to remain in power and has completely lost her perspective." Loghain looked at the ceiling, feeling weary and old. "Much like I did during the Blight." He looked back to Nathaniel and gave a very tired sigh, "It seems that my chickens came home to roost."

Nate looked thoughtful. "Do you think they sent this scroll to the Div…Orlesian Divine?"

Rafe shook his head. "Not yet, they only sent them to us, the Teyrns, and the Circle. We can all guess how Teyrn Cousland will react. The First Enchanter, and the Knight Commander really have no choice. The test will be how the Bannorn reacts. The Arls are a mixed bag, but if they can sway the Bannorn no one else will matter and the way they worded the proclamation almost guarantees it."

Loghain growled. "They made sure that the memory of Orlais' occupation and the threat of another Blight colored every line of that proclamation.

Rafe shrugged his shoulders. "I hate to say it, but it was masterfully written, except for one issue."

Nate looked puzzled. "What issue?"

Rafe sighed. "By choosing Clodovea as Divine, they have already violated one of their own strictures. Clodovea is Orlesian and thus foreign born, the proclamation says that foreign born cannot hold a title greater than Mother."

Nathaniel and Loghain both felt embarrassed for not catching it.

Loghain asked, "Do we let them know?"

Rafe shook his head. "Absolutely not. Someone will catch it. The question is what will they do. They could simply strike that stricture, but having an Orlesian Divine, when you are trying to pull away from the Orlesian Chantry is an…interesting strategy."

Nathaniel picked up the scroll. "I wish I could trust Aedan enough to talk to him, but considering how this all came about…"

Loghain shook his head. "The Aedan I knew, albeit for brief period of time, seemed principled and focused on the welfare of Ferelden. He and Alistair were close. What made him change?"

'Anora probably has his balls in a jar above the bed, that's how,' Rafe thought, with little humor. He said, "I believe that Aedan has grown to love our Queen."

Loghain looked at Rafe and raised an eyebrow, but remained silent.

Nathaniel's brow furrowed. "We need to let Maric and Val know about this. Rafe, do you know where they are?"

"Not yet, but I will soon."

~oOOo~

The Gallows courtyard was filled to capacity. Templars and Seekers stood together in perfect formation facing the platform that projected out from the stairs. Cullen, as the Knight-Captain of Kirkwall, stood in the front of them. Every time he looked at the ground in front of the platform, he could see Knight-Commander Meredith, or what was left of her. Masurian had commissioned a plaque to mark the space. It read:

5 Cloudreach, 9:37 Dragon Age

On this day, Meredith Stannard's death served as a

reminder that magic can corrupt even the most vigilant.

Cullen could hear Masurian's voice in those words. A warning to mages and non-mages– no one will be safe from the Inquisition

Soon Knight-Commanders Tobin and Masurian walked out onto platform Tobin's face wore an expression of excitement as he held the scroll. Masurian stood calmly next to him.

Masurian was pleased at how things were unfolding. Lambert, your wisdom, and intelligence are making this possible. Andraste's grace never touched Erik, even if he was the Knight-Vigilant. He was perverted and power-mad. Only those who put the teachings of the Maker and his Bride ahead of all else can do what is necessary to ensure no innocent ever dies from the actions of a mage. You were such a man, and I am humbled to know you thought I was too.

Tobin held up his hand and called everyone to order. "Sword Brothers and Sisters, we have reached a precipice. In addition to the passing of our Knight-Vigilant, Lord High Seeker Lambert van Reeves was murdered in his office at the White Spire."Gasps sounded and murmurs flowed through the assembly.

Tobin gestured for quiet. "I have in my hand a scroll bearing the seal of Lord Seeker Lam–" The murmuring began again and again Tobin held up his hand. "The seal is unbroken. In writing to report the Lord Seeker's murder, the seneschal of the White Spire wrote that he had witnessed the contents and authorship of the scroll and instructed it to be put into the Knight-Vigilant's h – "

Tobin was interrupted by more murmurs from the assembly; instead of Tobin raising his hand, however, Masurian stepped forward, clearly upset at the continued noise from the Seekers and Templars. He called out in a voice that rang with command. "Have you no respect for yourselves?"

The murmurs immediately stopped and all eyes were instantly on Masurian. "Each one of you is a disciplined soldier who has shown your devotion to the Maker by uniting under the late Lord Seeker! Yet now you try to besmirch that by making this incessant noise. Your Knight-Commander stands before you, sharing information of the highest importance. Silence should be the only sound you make until you are commanded otherwise!"

Masurian bowed to Tobin and stepped back. Silence now echoed through the courtyard. Cullen could sense and see the reactions of the Templars and Seekers around him. Masurian just managed to make every single soldier feel shame for their behavior, as if by offending Masurian, they had offended the Maker himself. Creators, this man is more dangerous then Lambert could ever have been. In just a few sentences, the assembled soldiers have given Masurian the right to command them, with or without the contents of the scroll.

Tobin continued. "As the Knight-Vigilant's Second in Command the task of opening this scroll and reading its contents falls to me. If it is what I hope it to be, it will be pull us back from the brink. I believe this to be a plan of succession in the event of the premature death of the Lord Seeker. Those who had the privilege to serve directly under Lord Lambert know that he would have planned beyond his own demise, and given us a way to determine leadership well past the lives of either Lord Seeker Lambert or Knight-Vigilant Erik."

As if confirming Cullen' suspicions, not a sound was heard other than the fading echo of Tobin's voice.

Tobin broke the seal and unfurled the scroll.

~oOOo~

Val was not pleased with the Divine's comment. She kept the annoyance out her expression, but her reply was crisp and direct. "Your Perfection, I disagree. I'm not a complicated person; I've spent my life protecting people - my family, my friends, and the people of Kirkwall. That's all I've done."

Sebastian winced when he saw the Divine arch an eyebrow. He leaned toward Val and said softly, "Hawke, you're speaking to the Divine."

Justinia V raised her hand. "I have no issue with The Champion's directness." She looked at Val. "As for complexity it is clearly a point upon which we differ, but it is only one of the many points we must discuss, yes? Revered Mother, I would like to tour Starkhaven tomorrow. What time will be the least disruptive to your sisters and brother's work?"

"In the morning, just after breakfast is the best time Your Perfection."

Justinia V merely nodded. "Then that is when we shall go. Your Highness, I would like you to accompany us."

Sebastian bowed. "I am yours to command, Most Holy."

Leliana stepped in. "Your Perfection, your journey has been long, perhaps we can show you to your rooms?"

The Divine sighed. "Yes, I would like to freshen up, but I need to meet with Lord and Lady Theirin." She looked at Maric and Val. "I would like to meet with you in fifteen minutes."

Val nodded. "We will wait here, Most Holy."

The Divine nodded her head and, along with her honor guard, followed Leliana, Cassandra, and Mother Annis as they walked to the stairs.

Once they were out of hearing, Sebastian looked at Val. His voice was one of reproach. "I cannot believe how you spoke to the Divine."

Her irritation had been simmering, but now it boiled over into anger and her whisper sounded like a hiss. "How dare she assume the she knows anything about me, or who I am." Val aped the Divine's tone, "'nothing about you is simple.' What rubbish!"

Sebastian was so upset he was rendered speechless.

Maric took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Emma lath, remember, Cassandra has probably been the primary source of the Divine's information about you."

She rolled her eyes. "I know… it's just that… I'm tired of having to constantly explain myself." Angry tears filled her eyes. "Explain what I did."

Maric pulled Val into his arms. "Shhh, love. We will get through this."

Sebastian began to think about how he would feel if he had to repeatedly recount the massacre of his family, and his killing of Johane Harriman. Maker help me. Why do I act like a complete arse around Hawke? "Val, I apologize. I know that repeatedly explaining your time in Kirkwall has to be incredibly painful."

She turned her head resting it against Maric's chest and looking at Sebastian. "Thank you for understanding. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in front of the Divine. I'm a guest in your country and should have handled that better."

"You are not a guest in my country, you are a good friend, and I'm sorry for my rather parochial response. Would you like me to wait with you both until your audience with the Divine?"

Val drew away from her husband's arms. "Yes, thank you. We'd appreciate that."

After fifteen minutes of chatting, Leliana came downstairs looking for Val and Maric. Val noticed that the red-haired Sister had more of a spring in her step; her blue eyes twinkled as she smiled. "Val and Maric, the Divine is ready to see you. She is in the chapel just upstairs and to the right."

Val looked at her. "Leliana, you seem…happy…relaxed."

"I am. Her Perfection was my friend and mentor long before she became the Divine. We are still close friends. Also, When we are with the Divine, Cassandra is far better…behaved."

Maric and Sebastian chuckled.

Val gently touched Leliana's arm. "Whatever the reason, it's good to see a smile on your face." She looked at Sebastian. "If you'll excuse us, Maric and I have a Divine to meet."

Sebastian managed not to flinch at Val's colloquial tone, but bowed as Maric and Val went to the stairs.

Leliana turned to Sebastian. "Your Highness, do you know of someone who could show me to the marketplace?"

Sebastian smiled bowed. "Sister Leliana, please call me Sebastian. By your leave, I would be happy to serve as your escort, if you don't mind one of my guards coming along."

"Please call me Leliana. I'm honored that you are willing to escort me, thank you. I feel I must warn you though, I tend to be a bit nosey, and I will spend an unholy amount of time looking at shoes."

She said it with such complete lack of guile that Sebastian couldn't help but laugh. "Leliana, I can hardly be put off by whatever questions you may ask, and given all that is happening watching you look at shoes will be a respite." His expression suddenly sobered. "I'm sorry if that was too forward."

"Hardly. I am not a Chantry sister, and you are not a brother; we can just be Leliana and Sebastian during our walk, yes?"

Sebastian held out his arm. "Shall we?"

Taking his arm Leliana and Sebastian left the Chantry.

~oOOo~

Maric and Val were holding hands as they entered the chapel. Val mentally noted that, while the statue of Andraste was larger than the one in Kirkwall, it depicted her as a gentlewoman, not a mannish military leader. At least this one is closer to the real thing. She could tell that Maric's thoughts were similar, and she smiled as she squeezed his hand.

The Divine was sitting in one of three comfortable chairs placed before the dais. Maric bowed and Val curtseyed, waiting for the Divine to indicate they could approach.

"Please, Lord and Lady Theirin, we can dispense with such formalities. Come sit."

"Thank you, your Perfection," Maric began, "You need not address us so formally, Val and Maric will do."

The Divine nodded. Once everyone was seated, Justinia looked at Val. Her expression was kind, but her voice was like steel. "Valentina, you realize that you stirred up a hornet's nest?"

Val didn't need to look at Maric to know his hackles were up. She remained calm and steadied herself. Oh no, you aren't going to get away with that approach. "Your Perfection, in case it has escaped your notice, I am not intimidated by you. I respect your authority, but I refused to be called on the carpet like a wayward child. You have heard what I hope is the full story of what happened in Kirkwall. As I cannot go back and change any of my actions, recriminations are pointless. Shall we move forward to the issues currently at hand?"

Maric, proud of his wife, smiled inwardly. Her no horseshit attitude is one of the many things I love about her.

The Divine sat a bit straighter and arched an eyebrow. "Leliana said you were quite direct."

"After our meeting in Kirkwall, I'm sure Seeker Pentaghast's comments were less diplomatic, and please, it's just Val."

"Honestly, I'm glad to meet someone willing to speak their mind around me. I think the situation we find ourselves in warrants it, yes? There should be no more misunderstandings."

"I agree, so I will make this clear: under no circumstances will we divulge the identity of our contact."

The Divine, looking displeased, nodded. "Leliana said as much. Why does your contact need to remain anonymous?"

"Simply put, because it was asked of us. We trust our contact with our lives, their identity doesn't matter"

"I disagree. What if you are being led astray?"

"If we were being led astray, and we aren't, how would your knowing the identity make any difference?"

"How can I trust someone who wants to remain anonymous?"

Maric spoke up. "We are asking you to trust us." He stood up, Val following suit. "Val and I have not been misled or deceived. If you cannot trust us in this instance, then this meeting is pointless and we will bid you good day, Your Perfection."

The Divine grinned, clearly pleased. "Leliana was right, you both are a force to be reckoned with. Sit. Your contact will remain anonymous. I believe trusting the two of you will be one of the easier things I've been asked to do."

Val and Maric sat back down. Val looked directly into the Divine's eyes. "Then we'll tell you what we know. The Mages are gathered in Andoral's Reach. Lord Seeker Lambert is arriving or has arrived in Kirkwall."

The Divine looked pained. "I received his missive about nullifying the Nevarran Accords."

Val nodded. "He plans to re-form the Inquisition and use Kirkwall as their headquarters. Nothing we can do will stop that from happening."

Maric continued. "The former Knight-Captain and then Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, Ser Cullen, has managed to gain the trust of Knight Commander Adrian Masurian and is now Knight-Captain. He is our contact on the inside."

The Divine's eyebrows furrowed; she looked like she was trying to remember something. "Ser Cullen. I know that name. He is the one who survived Uldred's rebellion in Ferelden. How has he reconciled his hatred of mages with what we are trying to do?"

Val was waiting for this and tried to stay to the truth as much as possible. "Cullen managed to put his experience in Ferelden into perspective. He realized that while not all mages were Uldred, all mages had the potential. Unlike Lambert and his group, Cullen sees himself as a protector – protecting the people from the mages, and protecting the mages from the people."

"A true Templar indeed." Relief was clear in the Divine's voice. "But I heard that he left the Order."

"Yes. After I left Kirkwall Cullen remained and tried to root out the abusive templars, but Lambert began sending Templars that were under his banner. Cullen felt that he was fighting a loosing battle and that the Order he'd joined no longer existed. So he left."

"Well then it's good to have an ally inside the Gallows, but I'm worried about what he may be asked to do."

Tears sprang to Val's eyes. "He had to make a mage tranquil. It was one of Masurian's tests of Cullen loyalty. She is one of my closer friends, a Dalish mage, Cullen knows her as well. Masurian selected her because of that."

Maric picked up the conversation, "Your Perfection, the Inquisition will move against the mages in Andoral's Reach. We must defend them there or move them elsewhere. If the mages fall, the Veil will sunder."

The Divine's countenance reflected both her fear and her fury. "Then it is as bad as I believed it to be. We will have to lead another Exalted March. What do you need me to do?"

The knot in Val's stomach, loosened. "We cannot call this an Exalted March, your Perfection. This is a war against the Inquisition; the mages should be willing to join our cause because they hate the Inquisition more than they hate the Chantry, and the mages should know that they have the most to lose if the Veil is sundered."

"What could be worse than dying?"

"Being possessed, becoming an abomination, losing you soul. Take your pick." Val's voice softened. "I speak with some experience in saying that sometimes death is a blessing."

Maric nodded. "We need an army. We need the command of your Knight's Divine, your remaining seekers and templars."

"They will be at your disposal, as will Cassandra and Leliana. You both will lead this; I will make sure that is clear to the two of them. We can also call on the Ferelden Templars. They have not joined Lambert's group, as far as I know, although I have not heard from the Grand Cleric in several months." The Divine paused. "There is one problem for which an army will not help." She looked pointedly at Val.

Val hung her head. "I know. The mages see me as their enemy."

The Divine said softly, "Val, whether they know this or not, Anders was their real enemy. I'm sorry you are the one left shouldering the blame. Your presence among the army will jeopardize our ability to convince the mages that we are there to help."

Val could only nod.

Maric cleared his throat. "I know the Grand Enchanter. It is my hope that when I explain what happened, Val will be able to join us in Andoral's Reach."

"I understand from Leliana that Fiona is the mother of your second son, Alistair."

"Yes she is, and I am confident that I can at get an audience with her."

Val put her hand on Maric's arm. "My love, I cannot go to Andoral's Reach. Even if you convince Fiona, you may not be able to convince all the mages there. I cannot sow dissension among them. Clearly my path lies elsewhere."

Maric turned to look into his wife's deep blue eyes and saw the truth. "I know."

~oOOo~

Tobin read the scroll, as Masurian remembered watching Lambert write it.

oooOOOooo

Directive from Lambert van Reeves

Lord High Seeker

White Spire

Val Royeaux

To the loyal Templars and Seekers who have gathered under my banner:

By my hand and on this day, 8 Cloudreach 9:39 Dragon, as witnessed by White Spire Seneschal De Lonval, I, Lord Seeker Lambert van Reeves, present to you the plan of succession for the leadership of our new order - The Inquisition. The Kirkwall Gallows will be our new home.

Let the following be known

First, from now and going forward, you will be known as Inquisitors. The leader of our order will be known as the Lord High Inquisitor, and the second-in-command will be known as the Lord Inquisitor.

Second, the Lord High Inquisitor will name their successor soon after taking on the mantle of office. While it could be the Lord Inquisitor, the Lord High Inquisitor must find their successor through prayer. You will treat that successor as having been chosen by the Maker.

Third, a new Lord High Inquisitor has the option to appoint a new Lord Inquisitor or continue with the current Lord Inquisitor.

Having laid out this plan of succession and in recognition of the perils that are inherent in beginnings, I will name two successors:

First, if I am called to the Maker's side or incapacitated in such a way that I cannot carry out my duty, I appoint Knight-Vigilant Erik to succeed me.

Second, in the event that Lord High Seeker Erik suffers an early demise or similar incapacitation before he can formally accept the office, I name Adrian Masurian, who at the time of this missive is to be appointed as Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, to take the succeed Knight-Vigilant Erik as the Lord High Inquisitor.

Ser Erik and Ser Adrian have my complete confidence and trust and I bade you to give them the same.

Remember, we are doing the Maker's work as it should have been done. The Chant of Light will serve as our guide, indeed as our very purpose. May Andraste guide us as we seek to protect the innocents from the depredation of magic, and from the mages and those who shelter them.

Once Tobin finished reading, the Seekers and Templars cheered. Masurian looked both surprised and humbled, though Cullen knew he was neither.

Masurian stepped forward and raised his hand; silence quickly followed. "Though my heart is heavy at the untimely deaths of the Lord Seeker and Knight-Vigilant, I am humbled by the trust that the Lord Seeker bestowed upon me that I hope to earn from each of you. My first official act is a formal vote regarding the Nevarran Accord. All those who are in favor of the nullification of the Accord, say "aye!"

"Aye!" Thunderously filled the courtyard.

"Any apposed?"

Silence

"Let the record show that on the12th day of Guardian 9:40 Dragon, 820 years after its signing, we, the Seekers and Templars of the Chantry, officially declare the Nevarran Accord null and void. We no longer answer to the Chantry, but to the Maker and his Bride. Now we are joined in a common purpose, as stated by the late Lord High Seeker, 'to protect the innocents from the depredation of magic, and from the mages and those who shelter them.' May Lord van Reeves and Ser Erik rest at the Maker' side knowing that we are one in purpose."

"Amen" was heard from all in the courtyard.

Masurian slowly raised his head from his prayer; he didn't even need to ask for quiet. Everyone was waiting on his next words. "I appoint Ser Cullen Rutherford as Lord Inquisitor. He will command all operations in the Gallows. No one is more familiar with the Gallows nor is there one who has repeatedly proven himself to have an inner strength that is Maker given. He has my complete trust and support. As for who will be my successor I will pray tonight for guidance. Now, your journey has been long and wearying. Rest in your new home, my fellow Inquisitors."

The crowd cheered wildly

Cullen applauded, pretending to be proud. I am not a monster. I am trying to save lives.

~oOOo~

Aedan's spies reported that the proclamation had been made official and sent to the Circle, the Teyrns, and the Wardens. He confronted Anora and roared. "Is this true?"

Anora smiled and nodded serenely. "Yes, we agreed in principal to the proclamation. The rest was simply polish."

"Polish! Do you call naming Clodovea as the Divine polish? What were you thinking, Anora?"

"I was trying to find a way to save Ferelden from the mage-templar war!"

"How can your proclamation say that the foreign born cannot hold office higher than mother, then making that Orlesian, mage-hating cow the new Divine?"

Anora tried to sound firm. "I couldn't very well name someone else." Maker, I hope he doesn't know the real reason I appointed Clodovea.

Aedan exhaled sharply from his nose. "There are several Revered Mothers in Ferelden who could serve as the Divine, and you know it!"

"Please, my love, we can always strike that rule from it before we present it to the Bannorn."

Aedan couldn't remember the last time she had used such a term of endearment, hearing it was wonderful. That it wasn't reflected in her eyes was heartbreaking. Every hope I held for this marriage of convenience to become a love match, to have Anora return my love, has failed. For a brief moment, I felt the warmth of her regard, but now she hungers for power, not a husband. No man can compete with that. .

Anora hoped that Aedan looked pensive because he was considering her solution.

Well, two can play at this game, he thought bitterly. Aedan stepped towards Anora pulled her into his arms. "It's nice to hear you call me 'love.' I missed that."

Surprised at the warmth in his face, Anora felt it run through her body. That we still don't have an heir isn't from a lack of trying. Anora couldn't stop from blushing.

Aedan grinned. Good to know I still affect her that way. Softly running his hands up and down her arms, he smirked. "How about we forget the proclamation for a while?" His meaning was obvious.

Her body began to respond to him. Damn him for being so good in bed! Perhaps he'll be in a more receptive mood after. "Yes, we can always talk about this later."

Aedan pulled her in for a kiss.

~oOOo~

AN: Again, I'm sorry for the delay, I am writing a Self-Statement for a grad school application and tearing my hair out over it.

Thank you to who are reading this story. Thank you to those who have reviewed.

A special thank you to my terrific Beta, Shakespira.