Later

Sitting in the small boat as they: herself, her sister, and her hound, were ferried across to the Gallows' docks, Olisa thought on that just transpired. Could they even get answers from Cullen? It seemed as though Cullen's capabilities as second-in-command were being limited every day. Long gone were the days that Olisa could casually visit the Gallows for longer than half an hour without suspicious glances and glares. She couldn't even visit Cullen as she used to, and his regular bouts of free-time were dwindling as well. She wouldn't even dare to bring Orana for healing to the Gallows, as she had once done at the behest of Cullen to see Enchanter Vivienne. Meredith's tyranny was wide-spread, but spread even further where she herself had no limits and complete dominion, made possible by Elthina's lack of conviction. Olisa did hope desperately that the Grand Cleric would finally step in and temper her Knight-Commander, as was her duty to do so. She had her doubts though. Elthina was too set in her ways of inaction.

Olisa was jarred from her thoughts as the boat rocked against the planks of the docking station. She and Marianna helped Dagger from the boat, and walked up the ominous stairs flanked by the self-depreciating statues to the still opened gates of the Gallows. They were escorted by a recruit to the door of Cullen's office, where a Tranquil knocked and announced their entry. Cullen had a quill grasped in his fingers, papers were spread before him, and his expression looked grave as the two sisters entered. The Tranquil excused herself, and the trio – and mabari – were left looking at one another in an awkward, yet tense, silence.

Olisa cleared her throat, and said quietly, "Hello Cullen."

He sighed, sat his quill down, and gestured to the two chairs before his desk as he sat back in his chair. "I suppose the rumors were true then," he said as he gestured at their blood-splattered armor. "I could hardly believe what I heard," he continued as they sat and removed their weapons, "And barely a hand-full of hours after Aveline's reports."

"And what did you hear?" Olisa asked, her voice still quiet.

Cullen sighed again. He face was drawn, paler than normal, his eyes darker around the edges. "A compliment of Templars attacked a group of conspirators against the Knight-Commander. None of the Templar survived, save one that was shouting 'the Champion has betrayed us' in the courtyard. I have a couple of men interrogating him now."

Olisa frowned, "You know I've made my... displeasure of Meredith known, Cullen. It is no secret. And it is no secret that there are others who are displeased with the situation as well."

"No, it certainly isn't a secret. Not... not after today." Cullen looked weary. "I would hate to have to arrest you," he looked briefly at Marianna, "and your sister for your actions against the Templar Order."

Marianna creased her brows together, "Is that a threat?"

Cullen shook his head, but looked at Olisa as he answered Marianna, "I-it is only my fear." Olisa opened her mouth to say something else, but Cullen held up a hand to stop her as he stood, "It is not safe to talk here. The very walls have ears, I'm afraid. Come," he gestured for them to stand, "I'll escort you home."

Once they were safely within the walls of the Amell-Hawke estate, they sat in the library as tumblers of brandy were passed around. The sisters allowed Cullen to talk, their frustrations and anger disappearing in the face of the Templar's obvious struggles. He took a long pull from his drink before he began, "I-I can't do anything about the zealots. There are far more than I had thought there to be. Far... far more than the time of Alrik. Men and women who misconstrue the Templar ideologies – even the Chant – to further their own radical ideas. I am more and more alienated by my very men every day, for simply believing that Templars are both protectors to the people and to mages from magic. That Templars are not enforcers trusted with the duty to wipe the threat of magic from the face of Thedas. That we are not exterminators, who must even suppress the threat of mage supporters from infecting the minds of the populace."

He rolled his head on his shoulders, and stared at his feet before he continued, "And I cannot even dare to say anything to them. I cannot even try to explain the real meaning of Andraste's teachings. I cannot show them that they are sworn to protect from magic, and are not simply soldiers tasked with eliminating that threat in all forms. I cannot do this, I cannot say this, because Meredith thinks just like them. It wasn't always like this, but I think now, now if Alrik still lived she would consider the Tranquil Solution."

He took a drink and said quietly, "I... think the power of controlling this city is affecting Meredith. I think it is causing her to blur lines and see monsters in the shadows. If the city isn't righted, I fear for the safety of the mages." He looked at the two sisters, "I fear for both your safety. Please," he asked them, "please do not make your disapproval so public. It will only put you in more danger."

Olisa nodded and looked at her sister, "We will be more discreet. But," Olisa couldn't help but ask, "Isn't this similar to the problems that caused you to leave Ferelden? That you didn't agree with the other Templars? That you didn't think they were doing enough to protect from rogue magic? From blood magic? But this is just the other end of the spectrum. Instead of leniency, there is brute control." She swallowed thickly before she continued, "Will you leave again?"

"No," he said clearly with determination. "That wasn't the only reason I left Ferelden. And there are no demons to play with my mind here." His expression softened as he looked at Olisa, "I have far more reasons to stay. Beautiful reasons."

Marianna coughed to remind them of her presence, "Before the gooey stuff commences, I'm gonna go. Aveline already berated me for giving her a headache over Meredith, and now with all you've just said, I think I'm sick of Templar drama for the moment." She stood and waved at them before she left them in the library, "Have fun."

…...

Note: Sorry for the slight delay in updating, but Easter prep and Easter day were a lot more hectic than I thought it would be. Shopping all day Saturday, and then cooking for 5 hrs on Sunday – didn't really give me any free-time. Also, this will likely be the last update until the weekend. :( Busy week ahead... And I know it's April Fool's, but this chapter isn't a joke, lol. ;) Please let me know what you think about the story's direction! Thank you again everyone for all the support!