They were led to a table apart from the other sisters who spooned soup into their mouths around a quiet hum of conversation. The delicious scent of something savory filled the room as Mother Danell greeted each of the women she passed with affectionate teasing. The whole scene was very domestic and relaxed, and so unlike the old days of the Chantry Cassandra felt out of place. But then, she usually did among the sisters.

Her lot as a warrior and her job as seeker had set her very much apart through the years. Marcus pulled a chair out for the Mother and then reached to do the same for Cassandra. She'd already been seated though. His annoyed expression made Mother Danell laugh.

"I fear, young soldier, that you have your work cut out for you if you want the Lady Cassandra to allow coddling. Your legend precedes you, Lady Seeker. I'm quite delighted to get this chance to meet you indeed."

"In places, Mother Danell, I fear that legend has been greatly exaggerated."

The soup appeared at their elbows as she laughed again. "That is true of most legends, I fear, however it seems to me that some of yours must be true or we would not be sitting here this evening."

She begged Marcus silently to intervene. Now, he laughed.

"I fear, mother, that Lady Cassandra is painfully shy about all her accomplishments."

"It would seem so. I imagine you have been sent to Kirkwall to deal with our Templar issue."

Cassandra swallowed the food in her mouth barely tasting it. It gave her a moment to think. "So you are aware of Knight-Commander Martin's commandeering of the tower?"

"All too aware. Under the Divine's advisement, we've been seeking out mages in Kirkwall. Not to bring into the tower, you understand, but to bring into the Chantry itself. Her perfection believes that if it can work at all here, it can work anywhere in Thedas." Mother Danell's hand moved carefully, dipping her soup spoon into her bowl. "I agree with her. Bold action is what is necessary at this time."

"Has the Knight-commander inquired after your efforts?"

The smile on the woman's face was grim and tight. "He told me to take myself off, although he was less polite about it at the time."

Cassandra felt her appetite slip away. This was perhaps worse than she had imagined.

"Martin has made it clear to me that he wants no guidance from the Chantry on this, or any, matter."

"That was my concern, Mother Danell, and it is my place to deal with it. However, I have only the City Guard to call on as of yet."

"Nonsense, you will have some of ours as well. My honor guard to be precise. This is at the very heart of what the Chantry is trying to do here in Kirkwall. It must be dealt with quickly."

Cassandra couldn't believe her good fortune. She had expected an argument at the least.

"I appreciate your assistance."

Mother Danell smiled over her spoon. "But, you hadn't expected it, had you? You had expected to debate the merits of your need until morning. The Chantry is changing, Cassandra. We must all change with it or be left behind."

"I can see that," she answered the charge with awkward wonder in her tone.

"You don't recognize me, do you?" There was a knowing air about the woman now. "I was a servant to Justinia, and you, her right hand." Cassandra opened and closed her mouth like a fish onshore. She hadn't recognized her at all. Still didn't.

"It's unsurprising that you do not. You were seldom in one place long enough to know any of the servants or lesser sisters, but I saw firsthand your kindness and your courage through those years. I cared deeply for Justinia. She was a woman before her time, but I believe you and Leliana…well, this may be just the time for both of you."

"I do not know what to say, Mother Danell."

"Hush, there is nothing to say," and she beamed sweetly at the Seeker. "Eat your soup before it gets cold. Then we will discuss the repossession of the tower."