The rain was pouring down and the sky was filled with black clouds. This made the Gallows seem even less welcoming, though Angelle doubted this had ever been the case. The old Tevinter slave statues made her shiver. She wondered how long she would have to stay here, her ship had not yet docked and she already wanted to get away. It was not only the scenery that worried her, but the position the Divine had put her in. Templars already felt uncomfortable among seekers because they watched the templars almost as they watched the mages. And now she was suppose to win the confidence of the mages as well. They would likely find her presence to be as annoying as the templars and from the Divines description that would cause a problem. Angelle had no problem with not being liked, but the thought of being caught between them did make her feel anxious.
The more Lelliana had told her about her mission they more uneasy she had become. The Divine had made an unusual request to say the least. She wanted Angelle to work with apostates in order to find out what it would take for them to feel welcome in the circle. How was she supposed to convince rebellious fools, who were willing to risk the safety of others by not being in the circle? How could she trust them? How would she tell bloodmages from apostates without telling the templars she was seeking them out? And if she found an apostate who seemed to be a good sort of person, how would she convince them to help her?
At least she had two things in which she could take comfort. Angelle wouldn't be staying in the Gallows. Grand cleric Elthina had arranged accommodations for her in Hightown near the Chantry. And she had Conna with her. She smiled and scratched her hound behind the ear.
When her ship docked she was greeted by a youngish templar with blond hair and a small stubble beard. Angelle found him handsome, but since she had little experience with romantic attachments she quickly pushed it aside. She was always playing a role, hiding behind a veil of deception and keeping her feelings to herself.
"Seeker Hawke, welcome to Kirkwall Circle. I am Knight-Captain Cullen."
"A pleasure Knight-Captain."
"We were quite surprised when received word that we were to prepare for the arrival of a seeker. I trust you will find that everything is in order, Seeker Hawke."
"Just Hawke please. I am sure you have things under control, but since mages seem to have become more troublesome over the years, we must do our best to ensure that the Chantry remains in control."
"You are quite right. The templars here however have the problem under control."
"Hardly" Hawke thought to herself. But what we think and what we say are often to different things, so:
"Then perhaps your order may be an inspiration to the other circles in Thedas."
"You are to kind. The Knight-Commander is expecting you." Hawke nodded and followed Cullen.
As they entered the Gallows courtyard, Hawke saw the statues surrounding her felt a cold shiver down her spine. She looked around the courtyard and found that there were indeed more tranquil, than was to be expected for a circle of this size. Angelle wondered what they had done to deserve it, because there surely had to be a reason for this. But the Divine herself did seem to doubt it. "No she must have been mistaken. Surely these mages have posed a danger to others."
Angelle followed Cullen inside when she saw a mage girl being let out a room crying.
"What is going on Knight-Captain?"
"We are in the process of interrogating several mages."
"Why? Have you found evidence of a conspiracy?"
Before he could answer a templar came out of the room. He had a smile on his face. Angelle felt weary, no matter what she thought of mages, seeing a man smile when he made a girl cry was revolting.
"Hawke allow me to introduce Ser Alrik. Ser Alrik this is Hawke, the Seeker send by the Divine."
"Aah, of course. I send the Divine a suggestion not long ago. I hope she will reconsider it."
"I am not really in a position to say what the Divine would agree with and not."
Ser Alrik nodded and left. Cullen showed Hawke into the Knight-commander Meredith´s office. She was a tall, blonde woman with eyes so cold that Angelle could swear her temperature fell. "Thank the maker I'm not staying here".
"Seeker Hawke, please sit. It is not often that the Divine herself takes a personal interest in our affairs."
"Indeed. And it is not often that her perfection receives a personal request to change the Circles rules. I understand that you rejected the proposal to turn all mages tranquil?"
"Yes I did. Despite the rumours I don't believe all mages are the same. I am not aiming to be radical, but Kirkwall has to deal with far more bloodmages that what is the norm."
"Yet you have more tranquil here than I have seen in several circles combined." She had to suppress her suspicions. She could not tip them off if she where to work with apostates and they might have a justified explanation, however unlike it seemed at present.
"Of course not Knight-Commander, but I would like to see the reports myself if I may. If there are an increasingly number of bloodmages, then you're part of the order could become example to rest on how to deal with them."
"I am in no position to deny you your request, as you are well aware. My templars will cooperate with you, but I know your rank and I will not have you interfering with my daily duties. Have I made myself clear?"
Hawke starred into those cold eyes and forced herself to smile. "She is not easily fooled" Hawke stood up.
"Quite. Thank you for your cooperation."
"We have made accommodations here for you tonight tomorrow one of my templars will escort you to the Chantry."
"You are to kind." Left the room with the distinct feeling she was being watched. "So much for not staying here long" Angelle gave a small sigh.