About Blackwall and Paper Umbrellas
22 Cloudreach
9:41
We decided that Edwyn, Cullen, and Leliana should question Blackwall. While I am Cullen's second, I am no longer a warden, and I am Prince of Ferelden.
I don't need to explain why Cassandra wasn't among the group. Although really, I didn't have to explain why I wasn't there to you. Why do I keep calling you, 'you?'
Anyway.
After they met, I met with Cullen and Leliana. It turns out Blackwall is really named Thom Rainier, a former Orlesian army captain. He told us about his orders to his men, and the bribe he took to have the general and his entourage killed. I cannot reconcile this Thom Rainer with Blackwall. Cullen was disgusted with what Rainer had done, but agreed he has been a real asset to the Inquisition. Edwyn had not changed his mind about putting Blackwall through the Joining. According to Cullen it was something Edwyn made very clear before he left the war room to see Morrigan.
The thing is that Blackwall - we agreed to call him that still - has been a rock for Marnie in the field; she trusts him with her life. I said as much to Leliana and Cullen.
Leliana suggested not telling Marnie about Blackwall's real identity and what he'd done as Thom Rainer.
Cullen and I both looked a bit shocked at the suggestion. I was pretty direct. "You mean lie to your Inquisitor? Lie to my wife?"
Leliana arched her eyebrow and looked at me. "Does she really need to know?"
I began to get angry. "Forget for a second that a lie of omission is just that, a lie. You are suggesting withholding information from the Inquisitor about someone in her inner circle! The reason they are in the inner circle is because she can trust them with her life!"
Leliana snapped at me, "Precisely! Blackwall made mistakes, but if any of us thought for a second that he would not protect the Inquisitor with his life, he would be in the dungeon. If we tell her and she feels she can no longer place her trust in him she loses the use of her 'rock.'"
I was unimpressed with her reasoning. "If we still trust him, what makes you think Marnie won't? No, don't answer that because it doesn't matter. I would not lie to the Inquisitor whether or not she was my wife, and I won't lie to my wife."
Cullen had been silent during this exchange and I asked if he agreed with her.
He sighed. "I cannot condone withholding information from Marnie, either."
Leliana gave an arrogant shrug (I don't how she managed to make a shrug arrogant, but she succeeded). "I hope you are right about the Inquisitor. We need Blackwall. She needs Blackwall."
There was something about the body language and tone that just felt like nails on slate to me and I exploded, pounding my fist on the war table, sending the markers everywhere. "How dare you question how well I know Marnie! She was my wife long before you and Cassandra showed up. She is my best friend. I dare say that I know her far, far better than you ever will!"
Cullen placed his hand on my shoulder, but looked at her. "Sister Leliana, thank you for your counsel, but I believe we are in agreement that the Inquisitor will be told about what happened. I suggest Alistair, Edwyn, and I brief the Inquisitor on the situation and we will communicate her decision.
I did manage to apologize. I said that I was "sorry for my temper, Sister Nightingale."
Yes, I meant to call her that, because at that moment she was no longer Leliana to me.
28 Cloudreach
9:41
Marnie returned today, practically falling asleep in my arms. I scooped her up and carried her to our quarters. Once there, I helped her out of her armor and arming clothes; she crawled under the covers and was sound asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. I had put Lily down for a nap about a half candle before Marnie arrived, and she would probably nap for a candle more. Siobhan said she would stay close and watch Lily if she woke up before I got back.
I was a man with a mission…Lunch! Except when I exited our quarters, I found Bull waiting for me. I was guessing that it was more than just a rift in the middle of a lake and I said as much to Bull.
The lake apparently was usually damned up, but the mayor had opened the waterway and drowned half the village to prevent the spread of Blight sickness. However, according to Bull, not everyone who drowned had Blight sickness and those who were sick had their families with them.
"It was a bad scene. Boss didn't take it very well."
Bull explained that Marnie wants the mayor found and brought to Skyhold. She wants to make sure the Inquisition doesn't overstep its bounds, and as the mayor is Fereldan, Crestwood is in Ferelden, and this happened during the Blight, she is hoping that I can decide if the mayor can stand trial here and have her sit in judgment or if we should ship him to Denerim to the king or queen for judgment.
I asked Bull to join me for lunch, as I knew there was more to say, but I was too hungry to concentrate, having forgotten to eat breakfast. I know I don't have the grey warden appetite, but I train hard every day; food is still a high priority.
As we sat in the tavern for lunch, Bull mentioned that he'd seen Edwyn and felt that he was here for more than having "one on one time with Morrigan." (Yes, that thought still nauseates me).
Bull leaned closer and said, "I'm guessing he has more information on our missing wardens - or is he to give Blackwall the Grey Warden cocktail and see if he lives?"
I almost spewed ale out of my mouth. "Cocktail?" I managed to gasp.
"You know, Darkspawn and Archdemon blood, heavy on the Lyrium," Bull said quietly with a big grin.
I would like to say that I was surprised at Bull's knowledge and observations, but aside from the cocktail comment, I really wasn't. I did ask if he thought Marnie knew. Bull told me that she knew he was hiding something, but whatever it was she firmly believes that his heart is in the right place.
I mentioned the cocktail to Edwyn; he thought it was great, it would be the Joining chalice with a little paper umbrella.
29 Cloudreach
9:41
In the war room with Cullen, Edwyn, and Marnie we told her everything about the Warden's Blood magic ritual and everything about Blackwall. She was more than a little angry about the wardens – well, more than a lot angry, actually, and the Inquisition will be paying a visit to Adamant in the very near future.
When we told her about Blackwall, however, she didn't look angry, surprised, or even disappointed. She simply looked thoughtful as she listened. Once we were finished, she proceeded in her typically decisive way.
She asked me to tell Leliana to find Mornay, and bring him in alive and unharmed, then to bring Blackwall to Cullen's and my office in one candle. Cullen and Edwyn followed her out of the war room and were going straight to the office.
I don't know what they talked about while I was out (and I didn't want to ask), but when I arrived with Blackwall, Marnie was seated behind Cullen's desk. Cullen was standing at her side.
Josephine was seated at my desk and would be writing down what was said, as she usually does during judgements.
Edwyn was standing next to a chair that was in front of Cullen's desk. She motioned for Blackwall to sit and for me to stand at her other side
I thought it was an interrogation, but it was both more in some ways and less in others. I was able to write this using Josie's transcript as a reference. I have hoped to capture some of the tension and emotion from what was really less about interrogation and more about getting Blackwall to see the real picture and take some of the guilt off his shoulders…that Mornay...he is a bloody rotter! I'm no Varric, so this will have far less flowery language.
Anyway.
I'm doing this because while the transcript will be filed in some dark corner of Josephine's office, this will be something that Blackwall can have to help him remember, and for Marnie when she gets down on herself – I can show her just how amazing she is as Inquisitor.
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Once we were all in our places. Marnie looked at Blackwall, caught his gaze and once it became obvious that she had his full attention, she said sharply, "Look me straight in the eyes and tell me exactly what you would have done if Chapuis' offer included killing Callier's wife and children."
Without a second breath, Blackwall growled his reply, "I'd have never taken the money! But I did take the money, I am the one who told my men to attack the entourage and kill everyone. They followed my orders without question!"
Marnie held up her hand and arched an eyebrow. Blackwall quieted, but his shoulders hunched and the emotional pain was clear on his face.
Marnie continued, her voice was softer now, conversational. "You were a captain in the Orlesian army, yes?"
"Yes."
"Your men were Orlesian soldiers?
"Yes."
"Were they new recruits?"
Blackwall looked befuddled by the questions. "No, they were all experienced soldiers."
"Experienced soldiers in the Orlesian army?"
"Yes, they were experienced soldiers in the Orlesian army. The even spoke Orlesian." This last one was a bit sarcastic even for Blackwall
Marnie kept calm and continued her questions. "Is it standard practice in the Orlesian army to murder women and their children?"
"No, not for the army," Blackwall continued with clear disdain in his voice. "The nobles though, they prefer assassins so they can play their Grand Game."
"Were any of your men assassins?"
"No!"
"Tell me, in wartime - or at least during this Civil War - what was the standard makeup of a general's entourage?"
Blackwall shrugged. "Guards, some retainers, and soldiers."
"Are wives and children part of the typical entourage, even for a general?"
"No, they aren't. That is what made this such a nightmare."
"And was Callier a "typical" General?"
"Yes, he was just like the rest of them."
"Is entourage a general term?"
"What do you mean?"
"Could one of your soldiers have an entourage?"
"No, Entourages are for important people. Like Callier."
"Do all soldiers know that a typical Orlesian general's Entourage are 'guards, some retainers and soldiers'"
"Yes."
"Not information privileged to those in ranks of captain or higher?"
"No, all soldiers are aware of this."
"Is it safe to say that the longer one has been in the army the more likely it is they would know about the make-up of a general's Entourage?"
"Yes, of course."
Marnie paused and shifted position then asked, "You've known your men for a while?"
"Yes, we went back a way."
"So, you came to know them well?"
"Yes."
"And they you?"
"Yes, or at least I thought so."
"Your men were loyal to you. They would follow your orders without question?"
Blackwall just stared at Marnie; he looked confused at the questions and snarled, "Yes, and I ordered them to kill everyone in the entourage! Why are you—"
Marnie held up her hand. "Please, let me continue. I promise this will make sense, just be patient with me." I knew that tone, it melts the hardest hearts.
Blackwall nodded then looked down at his hands. Marnie said, "Please, Blackwall, look at me while I am talking to you."
Blackwall raised his head.
Marnie asked, "Why did you pick Mornay as your second-in-command?"
"He was a good fighter, an experienced soldier, smart, loyal."
"As your second, it was his job to lead the men, to carry out your orders as if they were coming from you, yes?"
"Yes."
"Did you give Mornay, or any of your men, any cause whatsoever to believe you would condone the slaughter of women and their children? Did you ever ask them to do so?"
"No."
"If you were leading the attack on Callier and you had seen the wife and children, what would you have done?"
"I would either commanded my men to spare them or I would've called off the attack."
"Would your actions have surprised your men?"
"No."
"But you were not there, so it was your second-in-command who had to carry out your orders? Your orders were kill everyone in the entourage?"
"Yes."
"You said entourage? Not whomever happened to be with him?"
"That's correct."
"So, your experienced, loyal second-in-command, who had no cause to believe the general's wife and children would be with him, was ordered by you, someone who Mornay knew would not expect wives and children to be present, someone Mornay knew would never condone or carry out an order to kill a wife and her children, to kill the general and his entourage. Is that correct?"
Blackwall's eyes grew wide and he looked surprised. "Yes, but–"
"No buts; was any part of my statement inaccurate?"
"No."
"Mornay carried out your order; that is true. However, knowing you well, and being an experienced soldier, he should have known when he saw the wife and children that something wasn't right. That his wife and children are not usually a part of a general's entourage. That as an Orlesian soldier and not an assassin, having the wife and children killed was highly irregular."
"I gave the order. He was loyal; he followed it." Blackwall had that stubborn look he gets when he digs his heels in.
"No! He was acting through your authority and therefore could have given the same orders you would have given, that he knew you would have given—spare the wife and children or call off the attack. Somehow, Mornay decided that what you really meant was kill everyone, period. So, in fact he did not follow your orders. He acted like a mindless idiot and did the unthinkable!"
It was clear to everyone that Marnie's anger was directed at Mornay, not Blackwall.
Blackwall's voice sounded less combative. "But I was the captain. I am ultimately responsible."
Marnie looked at Cullen, and then stood up. Her voice was hardened. "Yes. When one delegates their authority, they do not delegate the responsibility. However, you would never have thought your second-in-command would have acted in such a way. But you took the money. Your actions were treasonous. You were arrogant, self-serving, greedy, and cowardly."
Blackwall put his head in his hands. "I know. I am all those things."
Marnie's voice was almost pleading. "Blackwall, the key word is 'were.' The man before me has spent years trying to atone, putting others' needs ahead of his own. Even before the Inquisition, you were traveling around southern Thedas, protecting those who needed protecting and sending evil doers to the void. You've been treating yourself as if you'd gone to the Void for far longer than you would have experienced if you had been caught and executed.
"So, I give you a choice. You can become Thom Rainer, and we will ship you off to Empress Celene, who will either separate your head from your shoulders or stretch your neck on the gallows. Or you can become Grey Warden Blackwall for real. After your joining, you will continue serving the Inquisition as you have, and once we send Corypheus to the Void you will be released from your duties with the Inquisition and you will go with Warden-Commander Amell and take up your duties as a Grey Warden."
He didn't hesitate even for a moment. "I choose to become a Grey Warden and serve the Inquisition."
"Why?" Marnie asked.
Blackwall didn't look at all confused at this question; he smiled. "Because I am committed to the Inquisition. I believe its purpose is just and right. I am committed to following you, the Inquisitor, and to helping you destroy Corypheus in any way I can, even if it means the giving of my own life to save the Inquisition."
Marnie practically beamed. "Then let it be known that my judgment as Inquisitor is to retain your valuable service as part of the Inquisition, with the understanding that once my job is done I will release you of your duties to the Inquisition, so that you may take up your duties as a Grey Warden."
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That was the "end" of Josie's transcript.
Marnie asked Josie to keep this transcript with the confidential documents. No one was to know.
Like I said earlier, in a dark hole somewhere in her office. It would never see the light of day,
Once Josie left, Marnie said that she and Cullen would leave so that Edwyn and I could perform the ritual. She also asked Edwyn if he had what he needed for the Joining. Edwyn did. How he got a hold of Archdemon blood and fresh Darkspawn blood I don't know…although I don't know that you need fresh darkspawn blood; it has always just been part of the ritual…hmm. There is so much Duncan never told me. It seems Edwyn has it figured out though. I'll ask later.
Anyway.
Marnie stood and motioned for Blackwall to wise as well - and then she hugged him. She said softly but I could still make it out. "Nothing you've said or done changes the trust and faith I have in you."
He hugged her back.
My Marnie. I don't believe I have ever seen anything like this. It was such a well-reasoned argument, even I could follow it. Yes, I know, shocking. I am so damn proud of her. She is an example of what a leader should be. Wise, smart, compassionate. I am a very lucky bastard.
Oh, before I forget, when Edwyn gave the Chalice to Blackwall, it had a little paper umbrella.
29 Cloudreach, 9:41 Dragon
It was hard waiting to see if Blackwall survived the Joining. Cullen and I walked the battlements, and I asked him if my reasoning sat right with him.
He said that the way I laid everything out he found himself unable to disagree with me. Then he said, "I found your judgement to be wise, sensitive, and perceptive. Not at all surprising given it's you."
High praise from the Commander. We parted and I told him I would be in my quarters awaiting the news from Ali.
It was well over a candle before Ali came to our quarters. He was smiling and I finally was able to let out the breath I was (figuratively) holding. He gave me a hug and said, "Brains, wisdom, heart, and beauty. I am a lucky man."
~oOOo~
"My friendship with Leliana didn't survive the issue with Blackwall. I know that you said Justinia was sorry for what she made Leliana do. I get that. But that really didn't excuse what she was suggesting, and then questioning if I knew how you'd react? No. It was over."
"Don't you regret that?" Marnie asked.
"Yes and no. I missed the Leliana who fought with us during the Blight. She was kind-hearted, quick with a song, someone I could talk to. That Leliana was already gone when she and Cassandra took you to Haven. It just took me until that argument to realize it."
Marnie put her forehead against Alistair's. "I feel sorry for Leliana."
"Whatever for?"
"Because you are a tremendously caring and trustworthy friend. One Leliana should have felt blessed to have."
"I bet you say that to all your husbands…oh wait…I'm your only husband!"
"Thank the Maker for that. I don't think I could handle having more than one at a time."
Alistair grinned, sat back and stroked his chin.
Marnie blushed. "Wait…that's not what I meant…well, it was, but it wasn't…that."
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you to my awesome beta, ElyssaCousland!
I really hated how Mornay, was off-the hook (as you could tell).