Chapter 8
Note to self: you can't please everyone.
"It's not a matter for debate. There will be abominations among them," The Commander stated, his tone thoroughly displeased. "To offer them an alliance was reckless and ill-thought through." And that was pointed directly at me.
Josephine scoffed. If we rescind the offer of an alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best, tyrannical at worst."
The Commander ran a hand through his hair and glared openly at me. "What were you thinking, turning mages loose with not oversight? The Veil is torn open!"
They had been standing here bickering over the mage alliance for a while now and I had had enough. They, Cassandra, Leliana, even Josephine had been pushing me to make more and more decisions that affected the Inquisition. At first, I was shy and sheepish about making decisions but with time I grew more sure in my verdicts but the bickering and doubt over my decisions was growing tiresome. And this was my last straw.
"What would you have me do?" I demanded. "The Templars left the Order and are as just as much to blame for all the death and chaos as the mages. At least Fiona sought us out and was peaceable about it." I shook my head. "And we need their power to close the Breach and you know that. Nothing will work if we make enemies of everyone we meet, especially with the mages."
"I know we need them for the Breach, but they could do as much damage as the demons themselves!"
"But we don't know that they will! Why are we condemning a people for something they may do? Are we so far above everything that we won't give people second chances?" I demanded hotly. Honestly, I was about ready to punch the man—I would sorely lose that fight but it would make me feel good at least.
He growled and turned to Cassandra. "You were there Seeker. Why didn't you intervene?"
Cassandra cast me a odd look, one I could decipher before she turned to the Commander. "While I may not completely agree with the decisions, I support it." Wow. That took me aback and emboldened me. At least I had someone on my side. "The sole point of the Herald's mission was to gain the mages' aid, and that was accomplished. Closing the breach is all the matters."
"Thank you." I muttered.
Cassandra gave me a faint smile. "The longer the Breach is open, the more damage it does."
I subtly gripped my left arm. I hoped that once this was over, that . . . well, that this mark would disappear. I was so tired of the pulses, the bolts of searing pain that rendered me breathless. But the end was near, so close and hope bloomed in my chest. No more fighting, no more demons and chaos and hurting.
"The sooner we close the Breach, the better."
"Agreed." They all said in unison.
"I want to look into this 'dark future.' The assassination of Empress Celene? A demon army?"
"One battle at a time. It's going to take time to organize our troops and the mage recruits. Let's take this to the war room—we need to discuss our movements in more detail."