Silently, I look around Haven only for me to notice the tents and decide to investigate, that's where I spot Leliana. Good to see a friendly face, smiling I approach my comrade praying patiently.
"May I join?" I ask quietly as the girl turns to nod at me. "Of course," she moves aside allowing me to kneel as I listen to her chant while I merely pray for a hope, a guidance, Andraste guide me through these blessed times, help me understand how I can help your people and bring peace from this disaster.
"'Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just. Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow. In their blood the Maker's will is written.' Is that what you want from us? Blood? To die so that your will is done? Is death your only blessing?" Leliana questions as she turns to me after I have completed my prayer.
"You speak for Andraste, no? What does the Maker's prophet have to say about all of this? What's His game?" She enquires as I release a heavy sigh. "How is this a game?" I frown at her cold words, a game? People are dying!? Real people with families? How can she call this a game!?
"Do you see the sky? What about the temple ruins? The bones lying in the dust? Even if you didn't support the Divine's peace you wouldn't call this right. Who could? So many innocent lives – the faithful murdered where the holiest of holies once stood. If the Maker willed this, what is it if not a game or a cruel joke?" Leliana reasons as I frown at her cynical thinking.
"Don't ask me! I'm as baffled as you are; I mean me a mage why would the maker chose a mage to help? Why would he choose an apostate to aid in this fight? I don't know and frankly I wish I knew," I confess feeling a wave of stress hit me.
"Then we can only guess at what He wants. The Chantry teaches that the Maker abandoned us. He demands repentance for our sins. He demands it all. Our lives. Our deaths. Justinia gave Him everything she had, and He let her die!" Leliana scowls as I feel a pang of sympathy towards her. "I'm sorry. Her death has clearly hit you hard," I whisper knowing that my apologies won't really help emotionally, but it's really the only thing can really say to a friend mourning.
"Not just me. All of us. She was the Divine. She led the faithful. She was their heart!" Leliana's face softens as I nod. "She was important to you I can tell. I am so sorry truly I know losing someone isn't easy," I whisper as Leliana nods her head in agreement. "You lost your friends thanks to that explosions as well," she sighs at my timid nod. "I grew up with them," I sigh as she nods sympathetically at me.
"If the Maker doesn't intervene to save the best of His servants, what good is He? I used to believe I was chosen, just as some say you are. I thought I was fulfilling His purpose for me, working with the Divine, helping people. But now she's dead. It was all for nothing. Serving the Maker meant nothing," Leliana explains to me making me frown at her loss of faith thanks to the divines death.
"Maybe you have another purpose. I could help you find it," I offer at the lost expression on her features, I can't stand seeing someone so torn, so lost, so broken from this tragedy.
"No, this is my burden. I regret that I even let you see me like this. It was a moment of weakness. It won't happen again. Come. To work then. We will speak later," Leliana smiles bitterly.
"Leliana," I whisper my brow furrowed in concern as she merely smiles bitterly and continues her work, silently dismissing me. "If you ever need to talk," I let out in a soft spoken voice. Simply, she nods and I leave the mourning woman to work…
I have to do something to help her, to ease her suffering that's the least I can do… but how? Hmm…
Quietly, I enter the office of Josephine's work; apparently Josephine wished to speak to me. I release a shaky breathe, no offence to Josephine. It's just when I'm around her I feel like I have to act just like I did as a child, back straight, posture upright, voice clear and firm. My footsteps echo against the dark cold confines of the stony office, I can't help but smile slightly at the brief thoughts of home from the ice chilly temperature to the stoic stone walls.
"The Inquisition cannot remain, Ambassador, if you can't prove it was founded on Justinia's orders!"
Startled, I jump back at the foreign male voice as I stare at the wooden door. I don't want to intervene but still… I look away feeling the urge to eavesdrop being so strong as I enter the room, the wooden door creaks open, announcing my arrival as I turn to stare at the bald masked male, how strange? Why is he wearing a mask indoors? A birth defect? Oh or is he hiding his face to see more mysterious or because he's a wanted criminal!? I ignore the thoughts bubbling into my mind as I stare at Josephine, seeming to be trying to convince the male.
"This is an inopportune time, Marquis. More of the faithful flock here each day," Josephine exclaims as I approach the pair.
"But allow me to introduce you to the brave soul who risked her life to slow the magic of the Breach. Mistress Trevelyan this is the Marquis DuRellion, one of the Divine Justinia's greatest supporters," Josephine introduces me as I bow respectful of him. "A honour to meet you Marqui DuRellion," I bow to the male.
"And the rightful owner of Haven. House DuRellion lent Justinia these lands for a pilgrimage. This 'Inquisition' is not a beneficiary of this arrangement," The male reminds us. So he owns the land and wants it back!? But what about the refugees or those mourning? He truly cannot expect them just to leave after all this chaos and those lost.
"People have been injured. You can't just turn them out onto the snow!" I argue frowning at the nerve of this man.
"And who benefits if they stay?" He argues as I merely blink at how selfish this man is.
"Divine Justinia, Marquis. The Inquisition – not the Chantry – is sheltering the pilgrims who mourn her," Josephine argues.
"Why is the Chantry ignoring the faithful?" He questions.
"Because it remains in shock," Josephine reminds him.
"The people have been through a lot, they have lost their divine, they have lost loved ones and much more, they need a sanctuary a place to get their bearings and plan their next move," I argue seeing his eyes soften at my words.
"We face a dark time, Your Grace. Divine Justinia would not want her passing to divide us. She would, in fact, trust us to forge new alliances to the benefit of all, no matter how strange they might seem," Josephine explains to him.
"I'll think on it, Lady Montilyet. The Inquisition might stay in the meanwhile." DuRellion leaves and I realise a sigh of relief from the once high strung tension now calm and at peace. "I apologize for the intrusion. I didn't realize you were meeting with the marquis."
"You did little harm. In truth, the debate was most beneficial as practice for those to come."
"You expect more people in Haven?" I ask both curious and worried of the resource e can give them. Do we have enough?
"Undoubtedly. And each visitor will spread the story of the Inquisition after they depart. An ambassador should ensure the tale is as complimentary as possible," Josephine answers making me frown, worrying over the resources we can give to those devastated by the conclave.
"May I ask what brought you to work for the Inquisition?" I ask desperate for a lighter topic to discuss rather than the negative haunting topic prior.
"Sister Leliana approached me. We've been acquainted for quite some time. For better or worse, being the Inquisition's diplomat has become as interesting as she promised," Josephine replies. "What sort of dealings have you had with nobility?" I ask eager to know the skills that could be of use for us.
"For some years, I was the royally appointed court ambassador from Antiva to Orlais. The nobility of Thedas is a rather singular sphere. Those I'm not acquainted with, I know through reputation. The Trevelyan for example are well known," she smiles warmly at me as I release a shaky laugh looing away at the mention of the family name.
"The Inquisition is lucky to have you as an advocate, Lady Montilyet," I answer as I take a step back, wishing for a change of topic. "Thank you. Let us hope so. Thedas's politics have become… agitated as of late. I hope to guide us down smoother paths. But please excuse me. I've much work to do before the day is done," Josephine smiles kindly at me as I nod in understanding. I leave as she returns to her small desk, writing on her parchment, most likely for aid I hope it works, for all of us.