Morning bestows upon the camp of Haven, their Herald stood at the front of the gates, carrying the provided travel bag over her shoulder. She is the first to get up from bed for the mission to the Hinterlands, while the others she's sure are still preparing to leave and will arrive soon enough.
Arturia is always a readied knight, and after gaining some hours of rest, she feels more confident to face the day of this foreign world. However, shortly after she awoke in her current home, regaining the senses she may have had lacked yesterday, Arturia decided to test herself. Not of her swordsmanship skills, but the skills she has as a magic wielder.
It checks off that she indeed has all the buffs, using her Excalibur and successfully - naturally really - activates Invisible Air.
Arturia looked at her sword, and lifted its blade. Wind powered by prana comes to life, the magic proceeding to sheath Excalibur top to bottom; the blade now unseen to the eyes of anyone but herself who knew the sword's length and others who knew alongside her. She was quick to stop herself from remembering Lancelot, though she felt damned that he and her fallen knights have perished under her name, even Bedivere who has lived to see to his king at the end - Arturia felt he deserved a better treatment, all she can do now is pray for their rest...and add yet another apology.
At the knight's will, her sword reverts back to its visible form, she is sure to address this ability to her allies, whenever she can find the time.
"And another thing! Why in the name of the Faes are you allowing an busted down hut to be our accommodations for our time in this world?!"
Artruia had previously spoke with her conscious sword, and discovered that they can communicate through telepathy, strongly possible due to their connections, this provided her much comfort and convenience if she wishes to speak to Excalibur without worry of others being at earshot - Lord knows what kind of explanation she'll have to give, not one she'll look forward to. She let her sword speak for a short while just so she can be adjust to their mental communication quickly, so not to be so surprised if Excalibur decided to speak. This has continued even after she left the house.
"Really now, I find it insulting that they would give us a cabin as oppose to that building, it may not be a castle but it certainly builds some form of importance." Excalibur offers another unbridled comment.
"It would be rude to simply ask for a better home, especially when it provides nothing reasonable. A bed is all I would require for rest." Arturia scolds Excalibur.
"For YOU of course, you were always indifferent to the life of royalty. But I was referring to MYSELF!" The blade specified, each spoken word holding the sheer weight of self-entitlement the knight could feel from her gifted conscious weapon, "A holy sword of great power and grand history deserves better than this treatment! Do you have any idea where they had me the first AND second time they took me away from your hands? A rusty rack enclosed among other common swords! It was even more insulting that they've forgotten where they placed me! No respect at all for one such as I!"
Perhaps the only downside to this way of communicating is that there is no way to lower the volume of her sword's voice and ego.
"They hardly understood what you were - what you are, and there is much more important things to worry than a proper station arrangement by your standards." For a holy sword he may find justifiable reasons to be so boastful, but by God was it annoying, "Now enough of that, I will not stand for your low opinion of the people I'm indebted to."
"On the contrary, they have not taken your head, and have noted some form of importance you are. Therefore, I would admit my approval of these people we have found ourselves among. As for the characters that shall serve as your companions in the coming days, I must say, quite the cast of personalities that have gathered." Excalibur observed, a tone of interest at what was to be the norm around him and his wielder now, "I mean can you imagine it? An actual elf! An elf, I would imagine, who would get along with our court wizard of an incubus."
"I have doubts on that. Merlin has a personality of your common trickster, and from what I gleamed so far, Solas seems more serious. Though I do think they would be compatible in some ways such as discussing magic."
"And what of Cassandra? The advisors? The dwarf?"
"I only have known them for at least two days, but what I've captured is their sense to make it all right. Cassandra is spirited, she somewhat reminds me of Mordred's passion, though it is hidden deeper, tempered over the progress of time. Josephine is a bright woman, with persuasion skills fitting for an adviser and a brilliant ambassador. Leliana is a hard worker despite what her line of work may entail, making things right and a true loyal subject of thus 'Divine'. From what I gathered from our conversation, the two were close and that death has caused Leliana to become someone that reminds me of those with shaken faith at Britain's crisis before I took up Caliburn. Cullen...I'm not too sure as of yet."
"By my assumptions, I'd say he has something dark deep within, as we have witnessed."
"I won't deny that, but it is not our place to pry. He has the makings of a commander, and as far as I've seen, whatever trouble past he has, he has done well to not let it affect his work." Arturia silently felt sympathetic to Cullen, relating him in terms of having something troubling that can't be forgotten so easily.
"Very much like yourself then. And the dwarf? Varric is it?"
"At first, though he uses his crossbow well, he appeared to be someone rude, and for a brief moment I took him as someone only with words and no true bravery. But after yesterday, he actually seems more genuine in joining the Inquisition. A man who reacts rather than turn the other way."
She reaches into her bag, touching the spine of a certain book, "And a damn good writer to boot."
"Not a very kingly thing to say, but I would agree." The knight had read the book Varric has gifted out loud for Excalibur to hear, and even the holy sword demanded the page to be turned until the very end.
Indeed, the people Arturia has come to know little by little, are indeed decent people - putting aside their interesting personality, it is their heart Arturia observes, and so far they haven proven themselves to be decent people. During this travel, she will make sure to heighten all her senses so to be one step ahead of defending those coming along.
She gripped the handle of Excalibur, "For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path." She recites a verse from the bible of her world, as she always does whenever she goes off to a journey; a habit she won't allow herself to let go in this world. It was at this moment that she sees her travelling companions come.
"You're here early," Cassandra comments, a note of approval in her tone.
"She's the Herald, Seeker. Gotta give a good impression for the rest of us, make us look bad and all that," Varric japes.
"Ever enthuse to work I see," Solas said, "Admirable, I do hope you have not left behind anything you have overlooked."
Arturia responded, "I've gathered all the essentials. However, I am not as impulsive as you make me out to be, nor was my intention to make ill effect to anyone's reputation."
"Easy there, Solas and I aren't being that serious. A little joke to lighten the mood before we go," Varric explains.
Arturia blinks, "Ah. I see."
The dwarf couldn't help but to add, "Sounds like you could use more of it."
"The Herald is only being serious, as we should all be." Cassandra said to help the knight.
"Quite true," Solas agrees as more men came to assist the group in their travel.
The warrior woman hands over a rolled up paper to the blonde knight, "Here is the map to the Hinterlands, we may reach there within a day or two."
"Jokes aside, you should go for a longer break." Varric whispers to Arturia when he got close to her.
Arturia studied the dwarf for a moment before nodding at him, "Thank you, Varric."
"I've noticed that his intrusion bares similarities to caring." Excalibur muses in her thoughts. The Knight agreed.
A rumble in the sky and all that were present froze. Although she knew what her eyes would find, she couldn't help but turn towards the sickly green glow of the Breach. It was as large and omnious as ever, swirling ever so slowly, tinting the very clouds surrounding it, the snowy peaks underneath it. The very sight of it turned her stomach, though she managed to still her anxiety to a dull ache.
She managed to survive this far, and so she will endure.
She turned back to Solas and Cassandra, the latter who was looking at her rather oddly.
"Are you alright, Herald?"
Arturia tried not to grimace at the title, but instead nodded at the Seeker.
"I'm fine. Let's get a move on, shall we?"
A dwarven woman of bright red hair, garn in armor under her short overcoat of thick fur edges is reading through a report when Arturia and her group found her, she looks up at their approach. She puts the parchment aside and steps around the table to meet them. Her eyes are on Arturia with a look that was slightly awe-struck.
"The Herald of Andraste! I've heard the stories. Everyone has. We know what you did at the Breach. It's surprising to see how young our savior is, but if the stories of you leading the men to the Breach were true, you certainly do have bravery." She then introduces herself, "Inquisition Scout Harding. At your service. I - all of us here - will do whatever we can to help." She says this with a slight smile twitching at her lips. She isn't what Arturia expected, that's for sure, but then that's probably why she's one of Leliana's. Leliana probably chose her scouts for qualities that make them difficult to pick as spies.
Arturia nodded to her and placed a hand on her heart, "Arturia Pendragon."
"Harding, huh?" Varric speaks up and Arturia looks over at him, "Ever been to Kirkwall's Hightown?"
Oh please no. During the walk, Arturia has come to note the deft archer's sense of humor, whether or not his humor is actually good isn't relevant, it's whether she should laugh or not that makes it so hard to tell, and therefore bring an uncomfortable air if she reacts below a proper response. As someone who wishes to know more about the people she is assisting, some form of light jab must obviously be offered as she had knights like that in her previous life as King. But she always remained serious, and it sticks with her as a personality, her knights never minded this, but these people were not her knights, and she is doing her best to move on from her previous self.
Harding frowns, clearly confused by the question, "I can't say I have. Why?"
"You'd be Harding in a-" he stops, and reconsiders himself, "No, nevermind." He laughs it off.
Arturia resists pinching her nose with her fingers, and Cassandra appears a breath away from smacking the back of Varric's head... or worse. Arturia is pleased she isn't the only one who found Varric's jokes to be ridiculous.
Still, Arturia's response to remain serious is reasonable. She had a mind to scold Varric, but an important task has to be dealt with, she started with that, "Tell me of the situation." Harding tears her eyes away from Varric and switches from baffled to businesslike in a second.
"We were originally sent here to secure horses from Redcliffe's old horse master," Harding explains, "I grew up here. And people always said that Dennet's herds were the strongest and fastest this side of the Frostbacks. But with the Mage-Templar fighting getting worse we couldn't get to Dennet, Maker knows if he's even still alive. Mother Giselle's at the Crossroads, helping refugees and the wounded. Our latest reports say the fighting has spread there, too. Corporal Vale and our men are doing what they can to help protect the people, but they won't be able to hold out very long. You best get going, no time to lose."
Arturia has heard of the Mage-Templar war, and as far as her thoughts went in how bad it was, it sounded to be almost as disastrous as she expected, "Thank you, Harding."
The woman nodded and left.
"...You were actually about to say it," Cassandra accused, sounding her displeasure.
"I pulled back." Varric counters shamelessly. Acknowledging that what he would have said would of been too much, "To the Crossroads?" he suggests to Cassandra, who nods.
The group began their way to where Giselle is stationed, taking the road between hills. On their way, the King of Knights took in the beauty around her, very much appreciating what nature had to offer on this side of Thedas. During so, Arturia overhears the conversation between her allies, beginning with Cassandra and Solas.
"I confess Solas," Began Cassandra, "I am surprised that you are still here."
"Why? The Breach remains a threat to us all."
"Just the same. I wondered if you might leave now that we have a plan to seal it."
"Ah."The mage sounded, realizing where the Seeker was getting at, "Because I am an apostate? I might flee before the Inquisition might have me in chains? I take my commitment seriously, Seeker. Come what may, I shall see this through."
Hearing this, Arturia approved the mage's dedication, a man-er, an "elf" of his word he was.
"As you wish. Though I cannot guarantee what will happen in the days to come."
"I have suspected as such, and so has Arturia, which is why she has taken the toll to carry the burden to react to it accordingly."
"You know, I can actually see she would do something like that," Varric quietly said as Cassandra looks to the newly titled Herald, curiosity evident in her features.
The Knight explains, "Solas and I had a discussion yesterday. I vowed to ensure that whatever occurs, I will surely keep watch of my allies."
"Encouraging, but to be so sure of it..."
"I am not sure." Arturia put straight," I only promised to do what must be done, I know that failure is not an option, and even if it seems as so, another path will have to come to light." Arturia answers, fittingly unhesitating in her conviction.
Varric chuckled, "Hear that Chuckles? She outranked your dedication just like that."
"I fail to see how one brings more emphasis on the other, when they are the same." Solas wondered out loud.
"Our mission will most certainly be at its most affective should we all lend all of our strength." Arturia says, "But as Herald, I will take on the responsibilities. Rest assured that any difficulties in the way, I shall deal with them."
"Hogging all the glory to yourself?"
Arturia was about to scold Varric, but she closed her mouth, realizing the set up, "Another...quip I presume?"
"Glad to see you're getting it. That's another point beating you, Chuckles."
"In the matter of growing accustomed, how goes the Hinterlands for you, Arturia?" Solas asked, making a point to ignore the jab at his person. No need to give the dwarf any gratification for raising to the obvious bait.
"This is the farthest I have ever been in Thedas." She admitted easily as it was the truth, "But the way mother nature blossoms here so naturally and viability is...breath taking. I can't recall seeing the likes of it at home. I can only imagine how other places will compare to this."
"I would have liked to offer you some place to explore, should the current circumstances be any different. Great ruins with plenty of history."
Arturia shook her head, "I compliment the scenery but I do not intend to stray."
"Indeed. We all have our part. What would the Inquisition do without our stabilizing influence?" Solas asked.
"I assume they'd just start burning things." Varric answers.
"That does sound like most humans I know."
The disgusted noise that was rapidly becoming an noticeable habit of a certain Seeker made itself known in the group.
"If you gentlemen are quite finished?" Cassandra cuts in abruptly.
"Now, now, don't get touchy." Varric placated/teased, "We're just here to lend you simple humans our help."
"Before you cause everything to explode." Solas added.
"Again." Varric finalizes.
Arturia momentarily halts, "Again?"
"Nothing to this extent." Solas began, "But in history - and in general it's of their nature, humans tend to react rather...expressively, in action."
"We all crave for a means to understand," Cassandra defended, though one could hear a certain volume of supposition.
"And how hungry must you be, to shake the entire tree for the apples to fall, not caring that the tree itself will break?"
Arturia understood Solas's logic, and she spoke, "At any abruptness, it's only expected for fear to rise from all, especially in frightening times as these. I do agree that reason is to be placed; stability is required in order to find the truth, and that is what I believe that is our purpose. Though I am new to this Inquisition, if justice are to be brought, a clear mind and a calm heart is required. That is our task here, is it not?"
"Indeed." Solas nodded. "You're becoming quite the exception, Arturia Pendragon."
"Then you will have to hold your critique against humanity, Solas," Arturia's words surprised the elf, "There is flaw in all. For any race, there is no fault that can't be grasped, unless we are aware of ourselves, and hold on what is right."
The blonde knight sighed, still not quite adjusted to admitting her own faults so openly.
"But that would be hypocritical of me to assume my own point of view is without flaw." Was it not true, what Rider told her about having hold up her views rather than know her comrades? Undeniably leading to the end of her country because she decidedly ignore the hearts of her followers inner turmoil, which is what lead to Lancelot's madness and Mordred's rebellion? The first step to solving any problem- be it external or internal- is being able to identify it in the first place, "Still, I will hope to that we are able to, at the very least, understand each other's views now and into the future, no?"
"Sounds reasonable enough." Solas agreed, very much liking how this was going and what his companion had in mind, "I am glad you are willing to see things that way at such an young age. You'd be surprised how many older than you are unwilling to do the same."
"And that's gotten this world where now exactly?"
"Ha! Can't argue with that." Varric approved, "The proof is in the pudding after all. Or in this case, how many burning bushes and houses we're going to see here."
"Perhaps it'll be much sooner than you think dwarf." Cassandra injected, "We have arrived where we need to be."
Cassandra directs them towards the Crossroads, and as they grew closer, the sounds of fighting become evident. Arturia tightens her grip on Excalibur, ready to draw her holy blade to both her hands in preparation for whatever they might find as they continue warily along the path.
"Templars!" Cassandra announces when they finally come into sight of Inquisition soldiers fighting.
"Help the Inquisition soldiers protect the people!" Varric said as he loaded Bianca with several bolts.
Jade eyes quickly scanned the battlefield before them, "We must guide the innocents and wounded away from the crossfire. Confusion among their group shall be our advantage, work to scatter them!" A burst of wind surrounds her sword, and invisibility cloaks the blessed metal. Cassandra looked upon her weapon in surprise, Varric as well though a smirk is soon in placed, Solas eyes gleamed and a calculative look surfaced, no doubt taking in the magic at display.
"At the return of my power," Arturia quickly explains, "I have regain the ability to hide my blade." Though in the Holy Grail War, she had this ability to hide her identity, now she uses it to take her opponents by surprise, "I'll tell you more when we're in a less dire situation."
"You're just full of new tricks aren't you?" Varric says.
Though Cassandra would have preferred to know this ability beforehand, she focuses on the battle before them, "Everyone, engage!"
Arturia went first, beating the rest with her agility, and quickly strikes down the first enemy soldier who was about to deliver the killing blow to one of the Inquisition soldiers. The enemy literally did not know what struck him, and before he could comprehend, he dies. Her attack was an awe to the saved soldier, and the Knight only spared a glance at him before continuing the fight.
Half of the innocent and soldiers were completely surprised at the arrival of the Inquisition's best, and the mysterious magic the young girl is able to conjur with her invisible weapon, yet relief washes over them, recognizing her appearance matching the description of the famous hero who fought at the Breach, where she may completely seal it one day. The enemies were caught-off guard, confused by her ability.
Cassandra leaps into the fray with a cry, shouting that they are not apostates but the templars do not seem inclined to care either way which. In the corner of Arturia's eye, the knight once again witnessed Solas' incredible power and casting ability, standing firmly to assist the fighting from a distance. The elf's talent is immense but Arturia doesn't let that distract her from the fight as she and the Seeker stood together to fight off the templars, almost not noticing the apostates creeping up to their blind side.
"Watch it!" Varric shouts and a bolt whizzes past Arturia's face, striking an apostate in the neck and sending them sprawling, laying on the ground not ten feet from the knight.
"We are not templars!" Solas calls as he sends ice flying towards the other mages.
"I don't think they care, Chuckles." Varric grunts, firing more arrows.
The Knight's eyes narrowed. Were these people so blinded by their war, the war that wages across these lands that they would make it their duty to strike at anyone not of their own? The thought must have never crosses them, or perhaps they didn't care if they strike either mage, Templar, or a civilian! Arturia has made sacrifices in her life when it involves the lives of people not part of the war, not her proudest of moments, but she did what was necessary as King of her nation. However, this is just sheer recklessness, and even if she's no longer the King Arthur of her time, she is now free to a be new person, and so is free to look down at these acts.
With crushing swiftness from Arturia, Cassandra, Solas, and Varric, in addition to the madness that consumes both mages and templars alike into sloppiness, the battle ends. However, there's no claim for victory, the after effects of the deceased being far too bitter. Though it was expected for soldiers to suffer burns and wounds, the innocent were dragged into this as well. A very unlikable sight. All around the area, the sight of many limp, others voicing cries, some immobile, and most that are alive wished no part in the war.
It was a sight far too familiar, and Arturia is disgusted by the senselessness that this Mage-Templar War invoked. True, all wars are bloody, but there HAD to be a reasonable cause at the bottom of it all to permit so much blood to be spilled. This has none.
And it made the odium in the King of Knights all the more potent.
"The effects of personal interests, and to have both sides be tainted...no one is safe, and neither side will mind nor care." Arturia felt the vibration of anger radiating from her sword, which only she can feel. She agreed with Excalibur, the same wavelength of revulsion very much apparent in her proud blade.
Cassandra on her end is outright furious at the display. For the Templars and Mage not set aside their differences in their disagreements when chaos has fallen from the sky, more blood needlessly shed, it is madness. It is selfish. It is all the Divine had worked so hard to avoid. How blind must all sides be when an even greater threat is staring at them, active and awaits to set off again?
Looking among the bodies, lifeless or limping, Solas is irritated, hating the sight of innocents facing the consequences of unthinking and foolish as ever; the rage seen on the faces of the other two making itself known from within as a dark look covered his face.
This was nothing new, as Varric has known tales and seen tales of how violence is the first to come and actual discussion later. It's always got to be a dozen, or maybe a hundred bodies before someone would stop it all. Difference here, he knew exactly how and where this whole mess got started.
"Blondie, look at what you did..." Varric muttered.
"If he had not done such a thing in the first place, Varric, this would not have come to pass." Cassandra spat.
"Are you certain of that Seeker? The tensions between mages and templars had only grown worse, and the Chantry stayed neutral for too long." Solas reprimanded.
From Arturia's understanding thanks to reading the whole story of the book Varric gave to her, 'Tale of the Champion', the man the storyteller is referring to is Anders, a mage and former member of an order ancient in Thedas known as the Grey Wardens. Escaping the group, Anders fled to Kirkwall after he became an abomination, which, in this world, meant being bound to a demon or spirit from the Fade. In the end Vengence- previously being the spirit of Justice- assumed full control over Anders, placing a bomb in the Chantry, killing hundreds of innocents due to his hatred for the Templar Order.
This was the result of such an attack, no doubt. Tensions may have long existed, but perhaps the destruction and death of innocent was all the push each side needed. The knight closed her eyes and turns to her allies, a face clear from any distinct expression, they would wonder what she must be feeling.
It soon became clear that she felt the need to hurry, as it was addressed to her words, "Let us continue."
Cassandra takes a deep breath, tearing her gaze away from the after battle, "Giselle should not be far now. She only wishes to speak with you, Arturia. We shall hang back."
Arturia considers the warrior's words. "We may need to resupply. Should there be any to spare here?"
"Saw and recognized a merchant," Varric states, "If there's anything that survived from all this, those are the kind of people that know the way. We could start from there."
"Perhaps we can assist with the wounded." Solas offers.
"Do what you can, I shall go and find Giselle. We shall regroup later." The knight then goes on her way. Out of ear shot of the others.
"Anyone noticed how our knight in shining armor reacted?" Varric brought up.
"She was in control of her anger quite professionally, and also had a familiarity in her eyes - all well obvious with her skills and unhesitation in taking lives."
"Must of lived one hell of a life."
Cassandra looked on to where the Herald had departed, "Aye." A child of war, one that still manages to hold on to righteous ideals. She wonders what the secret is to that...
From afar, they see the Inquisition flag set up, symbolizing these people under their protection.
"There are mages here who can heal your wounds. Lie still." Mother Giselle soothed the wounded solider, though her words did not calm the paranoia and anger in the man.
"Don't let them touch me, Mother..." The soldier pleaded, pain evident in his halting breath, "Their magic..."
"Have turned to noble purpose." Mother Giselle said calmly, soothingly, "Their magic is surely no more evil than your blade."
The solider still hesitates, "But..."
Mother Giselle hushed him, "Allow them to ease your suffering." The soldier relents to her words, and he lies down. A messenger came to Giselle's side, "The one you requested has arrived."
The Mother stands from her seat, hands closed together in a prayer, and turns to meet the one who affected the Breach. She found herself caught off guard by the appearance of the Herald. Blonde hair tied into a golden regal bun by an pure blue bow, her size so petite, and yet there is a commanding air about her.
But those eyes...the Revered Mother felt pity to have seen those eyes. They spoke wisdom, which can only be possible through tragedy, and for one to happen against such a youngling, covered in blood from the enemies she has dealt with a moment ago, it is all the more hardening and evermore heart-rending.
"You are Mother Giselle?" The girl questioned, voice smooth, without a hint of meekness. This is an adult she is looking at.
"I am," She answered, "You must be the one they've called the Herald of Andraste."
Her stoic features broke, small and only a short moment, but Giselle quickly caught on to her reaction, a dislike to her title, and by all means she could understand. The pressure must be immense, or perhaps there is something more to her? "I am Arturia Pendragon." She introduced herself and Giselle has heard the silent asking to abide by that name only, "You have asked for me?"
Giselle nodded, "I know of the Chantry's denouncement, and I'm familiar with those behind it. I won't lie to you: some of them are grandstanding, hoping to increase their chances to become the new Divine." They start to walk together, "Some are terrified. So many good people, senselessly taken from us."
The girl nodded in understanding, "It was an unlawful event. Those responsible for it will be brought in the name of those killed."
A righteous one, and a truly honest one at that. "Fear makes us desperate, but hopefully not beyond reason. We must first pay attention to those who have suffered before we go after an enemy, whose face we do not see yet."
Confliction flows across her features, and a noticeable hint of shame, she nodded, "Of course. The wounded must be attended first." She seems to say it solely for herself to note, a reminder.
"Those that are suffering have been affected with unreasonable fear, and with the rumors of your action to be anything against the Divine, you must show the Clerics here the truth."
"Would they listen? I know myself not to be..." she hesitated, Giselle offers her own description to what the people hears of her, a demon, but it seems the girl has discovered another word, "...a threat. Not by any means. I have arrived at an unduly time, but I have came in an act to help those in need of my blade."
"Then reveal that fact to them. You're honesty may influence the embedded fears. While it may not be a full affect, and not all would be convinced, you would get them to question. Their power is their unified voice. Take that away from them, and you will have the time you need."
Arturia bowed her head in gratitude, "Your words are commendable, Mother Giselle. I shall take heed of your advice."
"I honestly don't know if you have been touched by the Fade or sent to help us...but I hope."
The girl's eyes narrow, ever so slightly, "I too am at a lost of my arrival, for there are surely others who are capable. I...don't know why I have been brought to all this. At a time when..." she stops, gripping to the handle of her sheathed sword as if for comfort, "I am more at a lost as to why people would so easily see me as some sort of savior. True I work to help, but it's nothing to have gain such a reaction."
Giselle recognizes the tone, not a humble one, but a self-depreciated one. There are dark troubles within the girl, so much so that the Mother wishes to reach out to her. She instead looks upon the sky, responding to the girl.
"Well, I do not think you can blame them considering what has occurred for them to presume you such: a giant hole in the sky suddenly and abruptly pierces the Veil between worlds, allowing demons to come and wreck havoc on all across Thedas without restraint or mercy. From what I've heard personally, people were forced to watch for hours as various mages and soldiers tried their damnedest but couldn't produce the slightest effect on the Rifts, which seemed to be bottomless doors of demons that allow them to our world. All was seemingly lost to all...until you came. You having physically entered the Fade, which has only ever happened once before in all of our history, during the Breach, before walking out unscathed at the Temple of Andraste's Sacred Ashes, one of the holiest places in Thedas from the explosion that killed all but you, with the ability to close the Rifts; able to destroy one in mere moments, with many claiming that it was Andraste, the Maker's bride, blessing you with that ability you bare now and guiding you out of the Fade herself."
Giselle lowered her head to meet Arturia straight in the eye.
"In addition to that, you wield a holy blade, one that brings shame to all other of its kind, beyond what the teachings and works of any mortal is capable of and shining gold brighter than any other treasure in the world, burning demons of any kind from a mere touch and cleansing the corruption of evil of all kinds. Can you exactly blame anyone for presuming you as a messiah of sorts after all that's said and done?"
Arturia thought over Giselle's words, features blank, "I suppose it is only logical." Her features then broke into a determination, "Rest assure. I shall work to the best, if not all of my effort, to help bring safety to the Hinterlands." She placed a hand to where her heart is, not a salute, but a promise.
Giselle smiled, "Your words bring a new sense of hope. Hope is what we need now. The people will listen to your rallying call, as there can be no one else. You could build the Inquisition into a force that will deliver us...or destroy us, but as of now, I feel there is no need for worry. I will go to Haven and provide Sister Leliana the names of those in the Chantry who would be amenable to the gathering. It is not much, but I will do what I can."
"Thank you again, Mother Giselle." The knight courtesy and left, looking to act as Mother Giselle had suggested. The woman watches her go, a wave of relief succumbing her heart with gladness. Thank the Maker for sending someone like Arturia in they're time of need.
"He's not happy. Anyone can feel it."
Calpernia tells of the Elder One's mood, the person in mentioning is somewhere far, looking to relieve some steams. She's never seen him this so angry, she always saw him as a collected individual, intimidating and confident, she was just as shock at the unexpected, but his reaction was by far astounding. She nearly lost the feeling in her limbs out of terror in hearing through his cool tone as she relayed the message. It was with relief that she left by his word, escaping just in time while destruction resonates within the room she had just left.
"Well I don't see why not, it's only just after all of our plans have gone out and into the lava pit." Florianne said, "Practically everything went like nothing as it should, worse yet, rather than instigate fear, we instigated passion, and it led to the Inquisition's resurrection." Though The Elder One's plan was questionable, it was also well-thought out, at least it should have been, until the arrival of this apparent magical knight.
"That knight, dressed in blue. My men tells me of what they've seen of her," Samson joins in, eyes blood-shot, and tone tired, his fingers twitched ever so often. "She is only just a child, and yet was able to stand against a Pride Demon on even ground alone. Her blade golden and powerful enough to pierce through the magic-resistance barrier."
"A holy weapon?"
"It would appear so." A hint of suspicions arises within the addict commander, surely no child could be so strong to face such a monster, there must be something more to her. Something that would require her to obtain the strength. Magic may certainly be involved, and she would have to be a prodigy of some sort. He grits his teeth at the thought that she may have been induced in lyrium, there were accounts of the demon-ingredients being frequent at the place under the Breach. If so, he pities the child.
Florianne looks to Calpernia, "What of the reports?"
"With the False Calling in place, Magister Erimond has already begun talks with Warden-Commander Clarel to set our plan in motion, securing us a demon army and possibly an army of Wardens. Most likely, the ritual will be held at the fortress of Adamant located in the Western Approach. Alexius should be dealing with the rebel mages over at Redcliffe Village, securing us another army."
Florianne nodded, impressed, before looking over to Samson, "And what about you, General Samson?."
"Envy is progressing with the Templars, taking advantage of the rebellion incited against the Chantry ever since Lord Seeker Lambert tore apart Nevarran Accord." Samson beamed proudly.
Florianne cups her chin, "There is talk about Empress Celene preparing a party at the Winter Palace in a couple of months, in order to deal with the civil war. My brother, Gaspard, will attend to the palace as a place for the War of the Lions to end. However, with Briala's actions as of late, the elfs have risen up against the whole of Orlais, meaning those plans will have to be accelerated, so I won't be able to meet with you all face to face like this for quite sometime." The Grand Duchess sighed woefully at this, "Such is the call of the Great Game at these shaking times."
"It's only thanks to the Elder One's quick thinking of diverting our plans to the next that we have not loss our main path." Calpernia compliments, before giving an small, involuntary shiver from the memory of earlier, "But his anger is frightening."
"We will need to act our parts accordingly if we wish to help control his understandable displeasure," Florianne advises, "I feel that he will take anyone's head if they so much as have a toe out of line."
"Then let us continue," Samson said, "I shall go see my men."
"Send out more scouts," Florianne said, "The main source of the Elder One's anger is due partly to that knight in shining armor. Find out anymore we can use in hopes to go against her."
Samson nods and leaves the room.
"Shall we...go see the Elder One?" Calpernia asks, concerned over the Elder One.
"If you wish to be beheaded, he clearly prefers for us to leave him alone. Trust him, Calpernia, he is our leader. Go to him, and you will only insult him."
Calpernia nodded, and the meeting between them ends.
It was supposed to have gone smoothly.
There shouldn't have been any trouble. For decades, this plan was about to go in effect, a single step done and closer to the golden seat in the Beyond, fulfilling ambitions of godly proportions. Then the blundering mage came, disrupting the ritual, and the orb slip from their grasp. Everything went and shot into pure chaos, but it was figured that the set-back can be easily prepared and countered for. The demons slaughtering of hundreds of people was a necessary action, an action which is entirely anyone else's fault, surely they will know better now than to fight back.
Then she came.
The plan went off the rails when that blasted King of Knights appeared, with a sword more powerful than any of this world, to pierce through magic and physical resistance without needing to affect the Rifts first. That's not even going onto the fact that she dared to use her Anchor to undo all the labor they busted their mind, body, and spirit to make into reality what lesser have failed to achieve; having the AUDACITY to use the very source of that triumph to destroy the Rifts and sending aspirations years in the making even further down the hole of collapse!
Anger boiled within, so hot they will erupt and burn mercilessly anyone brave enough to disturb their tantrum. That damn knight-!
Hush.
A breath intake, and a sigh.
Surely it is understandable how frustrating this is, but as it is agreed, this is only a plain set-back, one that can be easily repaired. Better be so.
A messenger enters the room, the source of anger now calmed with reason reaching they're mind, and they acknowledged the comer. News are relayed, and a satisfactory nod is earned to the teller. He respectfully bowed and left. Now's not to time to worry about her, for she is but a foreigner to this world that they have accompanied longer than that foolish girl has lived, and they have decades of advantages to work with. Of wit and controlled patience, years of planning, and if possible, perhaps they can have the knight fall right where they want to.
A perfect settlement. One can only hope it will be sufferable, as payment and revenge against the wielder of Excalibur, the fallen king. This chance of ultimate power will not be denied, not again, not by her of all people.
All shall fall in place soon...
