Eve pov:
"Does she always run from her problems?" I huff glancing at the sheepish Varric by my side.
"Eh, like brother like sister I guess," Varric shrugs as I release a tired sigh, deciding it would be for the best not to chase after her or else I'd get a glowing fist in the stomach, something I would rather not have. As I turn to leave Varric, my ears perk up at the vengeful hiss of Leliana, sounding bitter, angry and horrified, I wonder why? Curious, I decide to investigate.
"He killed Varia one of my best agents…." Intrigued, my ears perk up at the familiar voice of Leliana and decide to investigate, my brow raised when I find her seething, darkly glaring at the frightened scout boy as the two are talking in their tent.
"And knows where the others are, you know what must be done make it clean…"
Shocked, my eyes widen at the implications and rush in.
"Woah! Woah! What's going on!?" I question my brow furrowed in worry as Leliana coldly scowls at me for interrupting her private conversation.
"Painless if you can, we were friends once," Leliana mutters to the agent who bows obediently.
"Do you have to kill him? He's your friend is he not?" I argue as Leliana scowls at me once more.
"He betrayed us," Leliana argues.
"And you'd kill him? You don't know what could have occurred, he may have been blackmailed to or threated to, he may have his reasons for this betrayal," I argue calmly as she frowns at me.
"Just like that as well?" I question horrified at her coldness, not even a hint of remorse…it is necessary to be cold at times to help make the hard decisions but this…this isn't a task needed for such coldness and hostility.
"You find fault with my decision?" Leliana questions surprised but with a voice of steel, trying to hide the shock of my objection towards her choice.
"Don't get me wrong, I do not question your decision, I know most of your decisions are fine but this, this is going too far, killing is not worth it," I reason softly, my eyes downcast at a certain memory.
"There has been enough death and bloodshed thanks to the mage and Templars, there is no need for more. This one is a tad bit extreme as well. Perhaps we can find this traitor and interrogate him for answers, know why he betrayed us and find the leak, snuff them out or at least discover information hidden from us prior," I explain calmly as Leliana, still annoyed uncrosses her crossed arms glaring darkly at me.
"Extreme? Varders betrayal put our agents in danger, I condemn one man to save dozens I may not like what I do but it must be done! I cannot afford the luxury of ideals at a time like this!" Leliana argues.
"Ideals are what we need, thanks to this war are ideals are being destroyed and lost thanks to this cruel war turning us into blood thirsty murderers. Look at yourself you are losing your ideals thanks to the stress of this war. Now is the time for ideals, for new ideals to be created for the new world to come from this bloody war and old ideals that held us back to be destroyed and left behind in the remnants of this chaotic war," I argue ignoring my mind screaming at me to shut up the murdering obsessed spy master.
Silently, Leliana turns her back to me, hands on her wooden desk in deep thought from my words.
"You feel very strongly about this," Leliana sighs tiredly.
"Very well I will find another way to deal with this man apprehend Varder and see to it that he lives," Leliana orders the scout, who obediently bows before her and leaves, leaving a conflicted Leliana and I alone.
"Now if you're happy I have more work to do," Leliana huffs quietly as I frown at her coldness.
"But let me warn you Evelyn. Your open support of the mages has likely earned you enemies; our agents will monitor the situation. If the most opposed can be identified we may still turn this to our advantage," Leliana reasons to me.
"You're not planning any assassins are you?" I question worried.
"I was planning to allow Josephine on them, she kills with kindness," Leliana jokes earning a small chuckle from me.
"Her secret weapon would be that," I agree smirking with Leliana at our light teasing.
"Regardless, I brought you courage for you to stand up for the mages," Leliana smiles as I release a tense sigh, should I tell her? I can't hide this from here about Redcliffe and the others, she most of all deserves to know the truth.
"In Redcliffe you sacrificed your life for me, so I could return here," I point out my voice sorrowful and guilty at the memory.
"Of course I did one small life in exchange for a second chance at history. I've always loved a bargain," Leliana smiles.
"It was still a sacrifice, a noble one at that, thank you," I bow my head truly grateful.
"And I would do it again," She says seriously bringing a smile to my lips relieved at the loyalty of Leliana whose stoic demeanour lightens to a small playful smile…
"I heard, Fen killed me, heh how amusing," Leliana smiles lightly.
"Amusing?" I question curious.
"I just thought I would win in a fight against her," Leliana chuckles lightly.
"Really?" I question in shock.
"Yes, although she is experienced and is powerful, she can be reckless when fighting, more hands on than most rogues due to their weak defence compared to others. You know when I first met Fen before all this, I was sent on a mission by the divine to stop some mages, she discovered who I was she was amazed, ecstatic, curious of my adventures and many tricks and such, wishing to learn the art of my skills," Leliana explains.
"Did you in the end?" I enquire curious.
"I'm afraid not, when I gave her some tips we both soon discovered, she was not the type that would be effective in my position. She is too focused on attacks and such, she also has a dismay towards balls and such while I enjoy them greatly, we both discovered due to her impatience she would be a terrible bard as well as her terrible singing voice," Leliana explains as I nod in understanding.
"Huh? Fen sings?" I questions shocked.
"Terribly," Leliana laughs lightly making me smile and giggle along with her at the idea of Fen signing. I hold in a giggle at the thought of the stoic girl signing hymns and rhymes, heh…
Once dismissed, I leave Leliana and decide to head to the chantry ready for the war meeting to follow…
Shivering, I force my body to move forward towards the closest source of heat, the chantry, deciding to head to the war table for our next move. However as my feet make contact with the velvet touch of the red carpet, I spot a frowning Vivienne waiting patiently subtly gesturing me over. Intrigued, I walk over, feeling a wave of fear and paranoia as I approach, flinching under her judgemental gaze making me smile weakly at her.
"Fiona and her malcontents are joining us as her allies we need to be prepared. Abominations are inevitable. Cullen doesn't have enough Templars to handle incidents, some of the rankenphile need to be trained," Vivienne reasons as I frown slightly. I need to get along with everyone in order for us to have a stronger unit even if it means lying to them, mother did when I was a child I was so confused why she agreed with making mages tranquil was alright until I learned the truth of her two faced ways as long as she wasn't caught she was saved, she played the game, a game I am well versed in…
"We need to keep them hidden that way the Templars can keep an eye on them without making the mages feel as though they are our prisoners when I promised them they would be our allies," I reply grimly, ignoring the urge to wince at my poisonous words…
"I like the way you think darling, I'll have a word with Cullen we are reliant on his people absolutely. There has never bene a greater threat than the breach until it is closed, no one is safe," Vivienne exclaims darkly as I nod sorrowfully at her truthful but cold words. None of us are safe, this breach could infect our minds like when we have the trial to walk through the fade back at the tower, that was to test us and if we failed it may risk us turning into abominations, I can see her point since the breach links with the fade so well…
"You have a low opinion on your fellow mages," I note.
"It's not a matter of opinion my dear, I have a close relationship with reality, many of our colleagues do not. I'm sure Lydia spoke to you of these words, "magic is dangerous just as fire is dangerous," anyone who forgets this truth gets burned," Vivienne explains her reasoning as I nod, recalling Lydia's words to me every now and again when I try to heal but only create flames and harm the injured victim…
"I agree with you, enchantress Lydia often spoke and warned me of the dangers of magic and how we should be wary at times of our gift," I recall as Vivienne smiles and nods in approval.
"I knew you would understand darling not like that savage elf of yours," Vivienne huffs.
"Savage elf?" I question puzzled.
"That white haired savage Fennic, the mage speaker honestly she is nothing but a child," Vivienne huffs.
"Without her help not all of the mages would not have followed us," I argue calmly as Vivienne raises a brow and huffs.
"Tch, still though listening to someone like her, I still find those rumours not able to be truth. They spoke of her grand speech, of how her voice echoed with the passion of the people of how she cared so dearly for the mages and what do I see? A angry broody teenager who had no real reason to view all mages under such a light, honestly, it's disappointing," Vivienne scowls as I ignore the urge to argue her point and merely nod, not wanting to fight and hate her on our side, her connections to the nobility could help us greatly with funding and such.
"People don't learn the chantry by fear, they learn it from us. Tell me something, you told me once you wanted to change things, what future would you build for mages?" Vivienne enquires as I feel a few bullets of sweat cascade down my temple at the heavy question.
I think mage should be freed but not truly free, everything must have boundaries, limits if not so, the freedoms given could make anyone adventure into something much darker, bloodier and chaotic, it could even cause a war again but I'm not saying the circle or the chantry is perfect either, I mean with tranquillity. I shudder at the horrid thought of such a horrid punishment…
"I think the circle can be rebuilt, made better and equal for both mages and Templars, it shouldn't allow tranquillity nor should it allow us mages to be fearful and put under such harsh treatments from Templars unless needed," I explain calmly seeing a slight disapproval expression on Vivienne's features.
"A fair point my dear but alas I shouldn't keep you from your duties," Vivienne smiles and dismisses me as I bow thanking her and leave...