CHAPTER 19: Demotion

"You're Ser Cauthrien right?" the Herald asked with a cocky grin. "Leliana's told me things about you that make me very eager to get to know you."

Ser Ella Cauthrien raised her eyebrows at the younger woman's forwardness. "It's an honor to meet you as well, Herald."

Yasmin shot an annoyed look at Leliana. "I blame you for that title."

"Blame Cassandra, she's the one who said it first," Leliana shot back with a shrug while Cauthrien looked on with amusement.

"You're the one who spread it, and don't try pinning this on Josephine. I've already gotten her to call me by my name."

"What is your name?" Ser Cauthrien spoke up with the startling question.

"You don't?–," Yasmin turned to Leliana again. "You brought her here without telling her my name? How did that work out?"

"Easily," Leliana said as calm as you like as she looked truly amused now.

Ser Cauthrien pointedly coughed. "My name is Yasmin. And I'm a Seeker of Truth, as well as Andraste's Herald, if you believe the propaganda."

"It's not just propaganda Yasmin. What you've managed to do in just a short time is truly miraculous on a level not seen since Andraste. And I can say that as a party member that helped end the Fifth Blight in one year, and the Left Hand of the Divine. I know what I'm talking about," Leliana pointed out fervently.

Yasmin regarded her for a moment with serious eyes. She had forgotten that Leliana was indeed a fanatic, if a lapsed one at the moment. Well, it seemed her belief never wavered, just whether or not she considered the Maker an arsehole or not at any given moment.

Yasmin sighed, "We don't know what I am, or how this happened."

"I believe," Ser Cauthrien said quietly.

Yasmin looked at the taller woman with a betrayed expression while Leliana didn't even bother to hide her smirk. "Well, now that's settled, we should summon Josephine, Cassandra, and Cullen no?"

"You're the replacement then?" Yasmin asked with a grin.

"If this council agrees, then yes," Ser Cauthrien replied.

"Leliana, have you identified the individuals that I asked you to before I took my party to Val Royeaux?" Yasmin asked with a darkly calm voice that sent chills down Cauthrien's spine.

"I've the guilty parties languishing in the dungeon. I wanted you to return before they receive their punishments," Leliana answered with an equally dark calmness to her voice. Leliana handed the Herald a small scroll, names of the victims, survivors, which Yasmin unravelled without delay. "There aren't as many names here that I feared. I'm assuming there are more that you couldn't discover?"

Leliana hesitated before nodding. "There always will be, Yasmin. I'm sorry, but this was the best I could do."

Yasmin clapped Leliana on the shoulder, "I'm not chastising you Sister. You've done good work, and once this business with Cullen is settled, I'll visit the prisoners."

"Am I to have a voice in this? What is the list of names you've handed the Herald?" Ella asked.

"Women and men who were sexually violated under Cullen's command." Leliana paused to reflect on her phrasing. "Not on his command, mind you. Were that the case, Rutherford would be dead now. And the men in the dungeons are the guilty parties," Leliana replied succinctly.

Ser Ella Cauthrien's fist tightened, causing the leather in her gloves to audible strain. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," Ella said quietly; fury just beneath the surface.

"I may be able to get more names from the animals in the dungeon," Yasmin ventured.

"Oh?" Leliana asked with an eyebrow raised. "You think my methods insufficient?" Her words lacked a malicious edge to them, it was simply an honest question.

"Seeker powers," Yasmin replied with a dark look. The Herald didn't feel the need to explain to Leliana the persona trauma to Yasmin of searching the memories of monsters. Perhaps she would, if things got more than she could handle. But Empathy was certainly a stout ally in that regard. Leliana nodded at Yasmin, seeming to understand a little of what Yasmin meant.

Josephine and Cassandra entered the war room. Cassandra was decked out in her standard armour, while Josephine's dress and slacks were just as immaculate as usual. "So, how are we going to do this?" Josephine asked.

"Cullen's a direct man. We should vote, and then tell him," Cassandra suggested.

"Well, that sounds sufficient. So, all in favour of dismissing him from his command raise their hand," Josephine intoned professionally.

Leliana and Yasmin's hands rose steadily and surely. Josephine nodded to herself and raised her hand too. The surprise was that Cassandra raised a tentative hand as well. "Well, that's done. And for formalities," Josephine emphasised, "Hands on whether Ser Ella Cauthrien succeeds Former Knight-Captain Rutherford as Commander of the Second Inquisition?"

All hands rose once again. "Welcome to the Inquisition Ser Cauthrien," Leliana said with a small grin.

"I'm honoured, Sister Leliana," Ella replied.

"We've known each other for ten years, call me Leliana," the Left Hand said with a grin.

"Do call me Yasmin. Enough people call me 'Herald of Andraste' as it is," Yasmin spoke up as well with a slightly childish look on her face.

"Very well…Yasmin," Ella Cauthrien visibly struggled not to call Yasmin by her title, which earned the knight a smile.

"The horrors committed uninterrogated on his watch aside, how will we make sure this transition runs smoothly? I admit, I have no great love for Templars," Ella said with a grimace.

"That's being handled mostly by the man who will be your second in command, Ser Rylen. He's also a Templar, former Templar, but of a more…liberal mindset," Cassandra replied with a small shrug at the last part.

"Not many of them around," Ella pointed out.

"They're a rare breed, true. But I've always found them precious," Yasmin said with a genuine smile. "I took Ser Rylen aside and vetted him personally upon my return under the guise of talking about Starkhaven's recent political clusterfuck. He's clean."

"Is there a reason Ser Rylen isn't standing where I am?" Ella asked. "Not that I want to be seen as complaining. But I am curious."

Josephine answered that one, "It was felt by some of us…" Yasmin coughed, "All of us, that a woman would be best for the job, Yasmin and Leliana in particular. But more than that, Ser Rylen's never been in command of so many men and women. Cullen was never officially promoted, but he was the Knight-Commander of Kirkwall after Mad Meredith was ousted. You commanded Loghain Mac Tir's armies to victory against the Darkspawn."

Ella looked like she wanted to disagree with Josie, but Leliana made a 'wait' motion and Ella swallowed her objection. "More than that, Leliana vouched for you. Her word means a great deal to the people at this table, and even the Inquisition as a whole. Other than the odd power-hungry cleric, there aren't many who would refute such a recommendation from the Divine's Left Hand. And the Chantry has already made their disgust with our endeavour quite clear."

"Well, that's out of the way. Do we think Cullen should remain a part of the Inquisition? And if so, what position should he be allowed," Yasmin asked.

"My vote is no," Leliana said unashamedly. Cassandra almost hissed at her.

"I don't see the harm in demoting him and keeping him around. He's loyal. That kind loyalty isn't easy to find. He's not an evil man, and may earn a measure of redemption no? Especially when he recognizes his past mistakes in Kirkwall and is actively seeking to become a better man. A cynic would say that he'd be easily manipulated that way, and we'd be foolish to squander loyalty like that" Josephine ventured, eloquent as always. Yasmin's eyebrow twitched at Josephine' reasoning. Perhaps Josephine wasn't as clawless as she presented herself.

Ser Cauthrien looked between the other women and could already predict what the two Seekers would say. Cassandra's knuckles were white and Yasmin was glaring at the green Mark on her hand.

"I would prefer he remain a part of the Inquisition. It is as Josephine says, we'd be foolish to relinquish such a loyal soldier. I have a feeling we'll need everyone we can get," Cassandra said, ignoring Yasmin's hostile look.

"I don't want him anywhere near a command position. He's already proven he either can't or won't handle rapists under his command. Also, from the memories I've seen from Mages out of Kirkwall, Champion Hawke's sister among them, I don't find him worthy of command here. If I arrived in Kirkwall before the fall, I may have stripped him of rank personally. What is more, I intend to accept Grand Enchanter Fiona's invitation to approach the Mage Rebellion's Headquarters in Redcliffe as soon as convenient." Yasmin briefly paused to look around as she announced her future plans. Cassandra was displeased.

Yasmin decided to continue regardless of her mentor's displeasure, "Having such a symbol of the tyranny of the Kirkwall's broken Circle, would only damage potential negotiations. He was in Meredith's inner Circle and only broke from her once Hawke and her allies truly stood against the Annulment. I apologize. I've said too much already, my answer is exile him or have Leliana make use of him far away from here," Yasmin said a hard look in her eye. Cassandra met her glare head on.

"Is your view so unchangeable? He has shown he can be a great man who rises to the occasion. Or were you too blinded by power in the aftermath of the Breach? Are you so blinded by your own biases that you seek to humiliate the man further? Without Cullen, we wouldn't have an Inquisition," Cassandra said with a glare.

"Blinded by power? At least choose accurate words to hurl at me Cassie," Yasmin sneered. "Being able to lead troops in battle is something Cullen excels at, I've seen it. You're right, Cassie. But I don't want his chance for redemption to come at unnecessary cost to the Inquisition. Have you talked to the women and men whose reports of assault he ignored? Perhaps you should. It may give you an inside look at how he conducts himself as a leader without a sword in hand. Perhaps then you can examine my 'bias' for yourself. Anthony's death was at the hands of evil men. How long are you going to see them in every mage you meet?" Yasmin replied, unmoved. Cassandra looked like she wanted to vault over the table and throttle the Herald. Josephine read the room instantly and surreptitiously placed her foot gently but firmly atop Cassandra's in such a way that any violent movement would send Josephine toppling to the floor. Cassandra flinched and looked away from Yasmin. Leliana was watching this spat as though she hadn't been entertained in days…which was entirely possible.

There was a long silence before Josephine spoke. "Ser Cauthrien, it would seem we're deadlocked. The deciding vote is yours."

Ser Ella Cauthrien looked nearly ill at being forced to make such a divisive decision that would ripple even years in the future. History was being made here, and Ella felt it just as she had when she heeded Loghain's order to pull the troops back and leave Ostagar and its defenders to burn.

Everyone was looking at her. Yasmin and Cassandra had almost hilariously matching looks of intensity; each representing diametrically opposed viewpoints. Part of Ella was certain the Herald must have picked up the look from Cassandra during her training as a child. Leliana's look was disturbingly neutral; typical Bard fare, really. Josephine was giving her a light and damn near encouraging smile, which didn't reassure Ser Cauthrien at all. She felt that being the cause of Josephine losing that smile might be just as bad as pissing off any of the more martially skilled women at the table.

Ella breathed deeply as she weighed the pros and cons. Both sides had made good points. But Ella wasn't a fool; she knew a decision like this had to be made the day she received Josephine's letter with the Inquisition's insignia. And so she had an answer prepared. Now, she was quietly wondering how long it was before somebody murdered her for this choice she was about to make.

Ella took her gloves off and put them on the table. She then presided to rub her face like she was trying to wash away the angst of the moment. It didn't work. "Fuck. Alright, I agree with Yasmin in that while Cullen Rutherford is an exceptional battlefield commander, he has shown to be lacking in other areas. No superior officer can stop their men from making monstrous decisions as Cullen's obviously have. But I'm troubled that when presented with the issue, he ran from it."

"Fantastic," Yasmin grinned at Cassandra.

"I'm not done, Yasmin," Ella said as the grin was verbally struck from the Herald's face. "At Ostagar, I am the one who ordered the retreat that sentenced the Grey Wardens of Ferelden and my king to death. Loghain was my Teryn. On that day, he was my superior officer, my Commander; but I could have ignored him. I could have bellowed 'Forward!' and my men would have followed me down that hill and into the thick of the Darkspawn Horde. They were my men; loyal to me first."

Ella stopped for a moment to take advantage of Josephine's goblet which still had wine in it. Ella downed it in three gulps that echoed around the silent chamber. She took a deep breath after she shook her head from drinking too much alcohol at once. "But I did not do that. I knew the order to retreat was wrong. I knew it in my bones. Later, when my Teryn appointed Arl Howe, and then invited Tevinter Slavers into the Alienage to butcher and enslave who they liked; I did not strike him down then either. When I was ordered to apprehend the final Grey Wardens in Ferelden, I did that too. I fought and defeated the elven teenager who had just scene her home ravaged by slavers. I had her thrown in a cell. It's something I still have nightmares about," she said as she glanced at Leliana.

"Ella," Leliana started softly, but Ella held up a hand to cut off her former enemy.

"When I was confronted a second time by Kallian Tabris and her party, including our very own Sister Leliana, I knew it was over. I was outnumbered. At some point I was disarmed, and I remember Kallian looking down at me. I couldn't even meet her eyes. I didn't deserve to. But she spared my life. The swamp witch Morrigan was vocal about her descent regarding Kallian's decision there. But the elven girl who barely stood up to my shoulder looked down at me on the floor and saw my regret. She allowed me to take up arms once more, against the Darkspawn. And we won the day." Ella took a long pause while she tried to process that she had basically spilled her biggest regrets in front of strangers, basically.

"Ser Cauthrien, you didn't have to," Josephine tried to calm the towering woman.

"I'm alright," Ella said with a humorless chuckle. "My point is that there was a moment in time when the fate of Thedas was in my hands, and I failed everything I stood for. And from then on, every subsequent unforgivable decision I made was in the service of ensuring that first horrible choice was worthwhile, because if it wasn't? What have I done?" Even the irate Herald Yasmin looked humbled by Ella Cauthrien's speech.

Ella placed both her hands flat on the table. Leliana noted with a flicker of a grin that Ella's left hand covered the blighted areas of Ferelden. It was in small moments like these that reassured Leliana that her faith wasn't for nothing.

Ella looked up and made eye contact with each of the other women who had already voted as she delivered her verdict. "I cannot look at Cullen Rutherford's mistakes and not see myself. I cannot stand here among you and lie to you. Cullen Rutherford's worst crimes are still miles better than the horror I allowed to happen on multiple, separate occasions. Even still, I believe that I am better for this endeavour than he is because I learned from my past errors. The Ella Cauthrien, Knight of the Kingdom of Ferelden standing before you would cut down the scared little girl who was too afraid to disobey evil orders."

Ella slowly put her gloves back on as she looked at Yasmin alone now and declared, "Cullen may not be fit for command, but I would not send a man seeking redemption away while I myself remain to usurp him. Cullen Rutherford will no longer be a part of the Chain of Command, but he will remain with this Inquisition if he wishes to."