This chapter has been edited to make sure the verb tense are proper and corrected. Sorry that this has been a problem for you reader and can assure you the previous chaps will be fixed as this one has!

Now, onto the story!


Arturia and her companions ride along the icy trail towards Haven on their newly gained horses - the animals' health and strength promising high endurance that can take quite a couple of miles and will still have them be in good use for another couple of years.

As the horses steadily trudge their way back towards the Inquisition's home base through the cold snow and damp atmosphere that could only belong to Haven, Arturia finds herself fondly stroking the long golden mane of her brown horse. It reminds her a time when she was under Merlin's tutorship along with her father, helping in her grooming into becoming the King of Britain expected, but more importantly, needed. She was truly youthful back then, a simple girl dressed as a boy, with a hopeful dream who only wished to serve her people. The truth of her path hidden from those she always eagerly assists - it seems her life had always been with guises and incomplete sincerity.

Her training to be King, traveling and meeting many people while taking in the new environments and sights as her brother's squire. It was some of her happiest times, when she was truly herself the most. Not the King Arthur that would separate himself from all but a selected few, not the King of Knights as those she had helped came to call her, but as Arthur Pendragon. It was honestly surprising how no one knew the connection between herself as King, and herself without the façade when she had her hair in a feminine pony tail. But then again, they were two different personas. Even for a familiar face, the line between their differences were so thick.

Having magic to disguise your gender probably had something to do with that.

Her mare neighs delightfully at her touch, and Arturia finds herself smiling. She shall give a name to her new animal companion.

"Your horse took a liking to you quickly." Interrupting she quiet musing of the Knight, Cassandra comes to her side with her horse trotting along, "Have you taken care of one before?"

Arturia puts on her practiced stoic look, careful not to reveal too much of her past, "I was raised around animals that you would typically see around a farm. Taking care of them was an everyday chore as apart of my grooming in knighthood, one which…" her face softens, "I take enjoyment tending to them."

"So a humble farm girl, now a knight and face of the Inquisition," Varric tells as if he were writing his next chapter with his breath alone, "I bet back then, you wouldn't have considered that this would happen."

'Not untrue', Arturia thinks to herself, 'I certainly didn't expect to end up in another world with a shard of it's dream realm in my hand.'

She was aware of her destiny to be the Once and Future King back in those days. Although she didn't predict the outcome of it all, nor assume she would come to another world thereafter the Holy Grail War, which in of itself was a huge straight out of left field event, "It's not exactly what I had planned…" Arturia cryptically replies.

"It certainly does seem somewhat dubious, yet even for your background, you have qualities fitting for a leader," Solas comments.

"And thanks to that, we got more recruits than any of us actually expected to." Varric shrugs, "But hey: the more the merrier!"

Cassandra nods in agreement with the dwarf writer. She once again finds herself amazed at Arturia, never allowing others to judge her youth but also disproves any skeptics by her words alone, and even with the doubt still lingering, she quickly proves herself by her power - a true show that she has not only words, but the power to back them up, the memory of it still fresh in her mind…


Flashback...

Arturia's group sought for the tears in the Veil that were dispersed all across the Hinterlands when they heard troubles nearby. In the midst of the wilderness mixed with rocky landscape blending along the growth of the forest, a castle-like structure resigned, clearly affected by its time in these lands. Within, there is word of an active Rift. As panic spreads about the people to keep the demons from going out, one woman appears to be in charge if her desperately shouting orders was anything to go by.

With steely resolve, Arturia approached her. Her greeting a direct question towards what is going on. The woman breathlessly spoke their troubles, but she seems content in not asking for the Knight's help, her reasoning revealed when she remarks the stories centering Arturia, and the obvious doubt that creases all down to her pores.

"I have heard word of you. The Maker's Chosen, Holy Light In Living Form, the Herald of Andraste," The woman with bright red hair in a bun spoke, skeptically and testing,"But are you? The Maker has not told me, and I have my doubts that he would let a child such as yourself lead in these harrowing times."

Cassandra, Varric, and Solas stood behind Arturia, silently watching the confrontation between the Knight and the Speaker.

Arturia remained in eye-contact with the taller woman. Her expression unwavering, she responded in kind, "I do not know. But whatever force brought me here, I aim to answer it's call for assistance."

Her answer, though lessened the tension of the woman, did not completely satisfy her, "If I am to believe the rumors of your power without quickly coming to a conclusion that it's nothing but a tale, that to seal Rifts and to slay the demons with the holiest weapon ever to witnessed is nothing short of heresy, there's not much help you can provide."

"There are no rumors for me; there is only the truth in which I hold myself to."

"Prove it then. Show me you wield this power blessed by the Maker. Prove yourself that you carry that which is holier than anything in Thedas."

The job was done with ease in accordance to Arturia's dutiful skills, Excalibur pierced and sliced through the demons, burning them by it's alignment, and the Rift within the fortress was sealed, much to the reverence of those who bore witnessed first hand of the blonde's capabilities.

Arturia met with Anais once more, and this time she was greeted with a pair of eyes in praising awe, and even with some fear behind them.

There were tales of Arturia throughout the whole of Thedas by now, her fame connected with the eldritch Mark firmly infused within her very palm. However, another had gained it's own popularity: for it's uniqueness and power that prove quite the contrast to the Mark itself, a weapon as bright as the burning sun, and something that was too beautiful even down to it's most simple of descriptions - something so out of this world, so divine in its presence, that which cannot exist, but could and more importantly DID, which makes a sign that miracles truly do live in a forsaken world such this.

Arturia set the blade of her holy sword to pierce the ground. At first, Anais was perturbed at the sight of something that should only be air, but there was in fact something there in the Knight's grasp. She was proven correctly when the concealment broke in a burst, and Excalibur shone in it's glory.

"Maker's Tears..." Anais whispered, completely stunned, "You even hold the Holiest Sword. I was a fool to have doubted you!"

"Then if you no longer have such doubts, perhaps you can be of assistance," There wasn't much a question in her tone, and yet at the same time Arturia did not command. Her tone brought an ease that still very much demands her to be respected and abide to whatever she may ask.

"Spread the word of the Inquisition. Let it be known that I, Arturia Pendragon, Sealer of Rifts and Wielder of the Holiest Sword, will seek to fight the chaos surrounding this land. If you care for your home, your families and friends, and if you sought the righteous endeavor for this world's future, join our cause. That we may one day sow the sky back together. I need not of any particular character, what I need are men and women who will risk their lives, as I aim to do the same. To band the people all across Thedas, our resolve shall be our sword against the demons. Will you help us?"

Moved by to her very core by the Herald's speech, Speaker Anais bowed her head in total devotion, "As you wish, oh Herald of Andraste..."


When Arturia and her allies reached a town on the grassy mountain landscape near the Crossroads, they went on to help as much as they can in current circumstances, bringing food to the hungry, clothes to the cold, medicines to the sick. It was to bring a good reputation in the name the Inquisition and combat the terrible reviews that comes from those who've feared Arturia and promises her to be nothing more than a false figure taking advantage of the desperate in need of a guiding light. Aiding the poor folks also helps gather those who are willing to help the Inquisition, and as well, Arturia knows it is the right thing to do, assisting those that are clearly suffering.

However, something that had caught her attention the most led to her looking for a certain mage around these parts, for she had in her hands a letter addressed to her which she and her group had salvaged from the body of a dead templar.

Pointed towards a certain way after asking around, the knight finds a redheaded woman in robes that belonged to the Circle sitting in front of an altar that was embedded within the wall of the landscape, "Are you Ellendra the Enchantress?" Looking up the way her name was called, the woman nods in confirmation at her identity. Glad to have found her target in such short time, the blonde goes on to deliver the message, "I have found a phylactery, it was from a body of a templar and was addressed to you."

The Enchantress quickly takes the writ, a bit of panic showing across her features. She reads it over, her eyes widening at it's content with every word.

Her eyes then suddenly lost all light, "Ah, I figured that's what happened to him," she presses the phylactery tightly against her chest, her lips quivering before biting them to cease the tears from falling, "Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me."

"I assume the sender was more than a friend?" Arturia's eyes softened in sympathy, "I am sorry for your loss."

"Better this way," Ellendra whispered mournfully, "Finding out what happened to him than never...I wouldn't know which would hurt more."

Arturia considered her next move before deciding to take a seat on the ground next to her, "Tell me about the two of you."

It was a surprising request, but Ellendra figured she needed some way to cope with her grief. So after readjusting her position next to the Herald, the Circle mage began relaying all the moments she spent with her lover, "They always say that Templars and Mages were natural enemies, born to hate one another or expected to hate the other once you join either side...but what did they think would happen when a man and a woman are together for many years?" She smiled fondly, tinging it with sadness, "We were friends, and were lovers for so long," suddenly her expression dropped to that of controlled anger, "And now he's dead, all because of this Maker damn war."

The Knight and the Enchantress then proceeded to talk, eventually leading to Arturia discovering a reason for a mage like the latter to not be among the rogue faction, to which she explains that there were friends among the templars, and that she will not fight them. Additionally, she sees no purpose on joining on either side, since it will only lead to bloodshed, to which Arturia emphasizes with deep distaste, understandably so.

"I will not help spread more bloodshed, I only wish to use my magic to heal, and even that, I could not do it without endangering those around me," Recollections haunted Ellendra, her current expression clearly disturbed by the memories, "Templars saw me using magic, I was only helping the wounded...and they attacked. Many people have died, innocent civilians, and all because of me. If I can help it, I might as well leave Thedas."

"But it seems that you can do wonders with your abilities. I see that you have low opinions in Mages and Templars, but what about in assisting the Inquisition?"

Ellendra shot her a dirty look, obvious skepticism born from her experiences in the Hinterlands,"The templars wants to kill the mages, the mages wants to kill the templars, and bystanders dies in between them. Just how is the Inquisition any different?"

"Because we do not seek blood Ellendra, we seek only to protect and save from the pure terror going on all around," Arturia countered the lady next to her with a steady voice, "I've been appalled at how bloody this war is between Mages and Templars, and the consequences of their actions are nothing less than sickening. The Inquisition's objective is to help the people who have been caught in the crossfire, to fight in order to bring peace in this land gone mad."

"I...have seen you help the people in the town, so you're certainly not lying about that."

Arturia nodded, feeling her words getting through the mage as she built on her growing momentum, "This war leaves nothing but scars that needs to be not only tended to but healed from, THAT is what the Inquisition purpose is right now: to bring order to this world that is in most need of it more than ever. Was that not the mages' original intention when this all started?"

Ellendra's silence was an answer to Arturia's question, the Knight takes it as an sign to continue on, "We need not only fighters. Healers, protectors, savers, researchers: these are what's important and even more if we are to protect the people desiring it.

The blonde's brilliant emerald eyes caught on Ellendra own pair, and the latter couldn't help but take a small gulp from the sheer conviction they held with such unyielding iron will.

"I am not asking for a soldier. What I am asking for is a clearly talented magus to help save and protect the people of Thedas. I am well aware that magic is far more than a great convenience; it assists us to move forward. I implore you to join the Inquisition, and that to believe in the good your magic will be used for. Help the Inquisition, and be an example that your gift is not merely used for destructive means, but brings forth hope in a time when we all are of need it."

Ellendra pondered over the words of Arturia, tightly gripping the paper in her hands as she voiced her thoughts "...I would feel more guilt having to leave these people to defend themselves, and it's not as if the templars would leave me alone, or the mages to have me fight for their group. So long as you promise not to fall on the same path as theirs...I will use my staff in your name."

"You won't regret this decision, Enchantress Ellendra, that I swear on the life of your parted lover.

From those sincere words, Ellendra found the strength to smile, "I, from the deepest depths of my soul, already know this to be the truth."


From what's happened with Enchantress Ellendra, has happened to many others, including Lord Berand whom Arturia had spoken with after forging a bridge between her and the trust Speaker Anais offers.

Arturia's group had dealt with rogue thugs and bandits as they claim territories for the Inquisition, by this, they stumbled upon an abandoned camp beside a mountain. Littered with dry blood, the remains of men and women, their bodies were searched, and there in a deceased woman's pocket, a paper which Cassandra instantly recognizes to be a love letter of the sort.

"It's not rare that a loved one is lost due to war," Cassandra spoke, and Arturia listened, "Yet when you bring that news to someone, they would feel as if they are alone in the world, despite the fact that they are not the only one. Seeing so in my point of view as others grieve," and not when she is the one suffering, "It's strange how easy it is to feel so lost."

Somehow treading around something deeply personal, Arturia respectively did not press. She knelt beside Cassandra, reading the letter over her shoulder, "Perhaps that is a way to heal them - we wish to be understanding in the matters of the heart." She spoke as if it was a note to take for life. Cassandra wanted to know more, but since the Knight did not press the hidden matters within Cassandra's words, she did not either.

They returned to the fortress and spoke with Speaker Anais to know where Lord Berand is. At Arturia's finding of the man, she revealed her sympathy as she relayed her findings.

Keeping in with the pattern of someone's loss of a loved one was consistent, Lord Berand was devastated, and at his worst, started to crumble, "The Maker would not keep us apart! What am I supposed to do now?!"

Arturia grasped his arm to help not only comfort but control the man before he may start doing something he'll regret. "Steady yourself man, would your loved one rather have you lose yourself? The Inquisition could use faithful men such as you, join us to restore the order of this land, so that no one else will have to die and their loved ones be in grief."

Calming down by Arturia's firm yet gentle words, Lord Berand slow nods turns into total conviction, "If waiting by this hill leaves her to die, then I will gladly take up the Maker's words by the sword. Use my men as you will, Herald."

Arturia approved his conviction with a nod, and Cassandra could not help but admire how well the girl did in bring sense to those who are losing it. She had thought it over, how it would have been nice if Arturia were there to begin with after Cassandra had her love stolen away. Mulling over their first bad impression, she snapped out of her shame and held her head high, she had to make up for that with a clear head after all.


The leading group of the Inquisition travels the road with haste after accepting a quest from a worried scout about a woman name Ritts who was tasked to report any sightings of apostates. They reached up to a hill, where they hear a fight unraveling. Closing in, a battle between the templars and apostates were like a swarm of angry bees, and they saw a woman with an appearance like the scout they had communicated before, a Templar and a Mage raging their attacks on her.

"Solas!" Arturia called out, and the elven mage acted immediately, understanding what she wanted him to do.

Casting his magic, the scout that was just a step away from death's door was encased in a a light barrier all around her body like a second skin, effective enough that the templar's sword bounced off from her. The other three in the group fought off the renegades and finished them off with great haste, Varric shooting two arrows at the neck of each one respectively with Cassandra and Arturia quickly delivering the final blow on their own chosen target.

At the calm of the fight, the scout stumbled to the group, breathing haggardly, "T-Thank you. I was...I was on watch, w-when the-the Apostates and the Templars started fighting."

Arturia looked at what remained on this hill before her and the group. Bodies of templars and apostates, but something in peculiar stands out. She walked up to the single tree on the hill, a blanket spread out beside it with a basket that was toppled over and it's contents of snacks spilled.

And a dead woman lying over it all.

"Is...this a picnic?" The knight questioned, already picking up the things that are out of place in this battle of templars and apostates.

"Ah, so it is. I suppose one of them was just relaxing, or it could have been left behind by someone else."

Arturia closely inspected the woman's body, she ushered Solas to come forward wordlessly and asked him for clarification. Solas nodded in confirmation, "This woman is a mage."

"Yes, Eldredda." Arturia's attention snaps to Ritts who casually revealed the name of the dead woman. Under the sudden scrutiny, the scout silently fumbled before adding, "A-At least, I think that was her name, from what the other apostates were saying while they were talking. The templars attacked the apostates, I suppose I just got caught in the middle of it."

The knight considered her words before saying, "It must have been a very confusing fight, was it not?"

"Th-that it was," Ritts shifted, sensing a coming foreboding.

"And for a scout that specializes in hiding in the shadows, it must have been bad luck that you were dragged into this."

"Ah...yes, very bad luck..."

"Yet with all the confusion happening, could you not have escaped?"

"I...suppose, I-I mean-!" Arturia's emerald eyes narrowed at her, cutting off any excuse the scout was about to come up with, resulting in a loss for words.

"Though I suppose with how chaotic it has been, that would explain why both a Mage and a Templar would try to fight you. But I have my doubts that they would be that blind, meaning they felt they have a reason to attack you."

The moment Ritts opened her mouth, Arturia quickly shut it with her words, "Please consider yourself if you wish to continue lying, I can promise that it won't end well for you."

Seeing how cornered she is, Ritts sighs, "Alright, the truth: earlier today, I came across Eldredda, we were on guard, but she was the first to put down her weapon. It was such a surprise that I froze. After that, we talked, and...well...one thing led to another thing...then templars and apostates found us, and seeing as how someone like me and Eldredda being a rogue mage herself, it was a rather displeasing sight to come across."

It took a moment for Arturia to fully register her story.

When it finally did click in her brain, her blonde eye brows rose at the scandalous nature of the information, Varric seemed to be holding back his own laughs and no doubt filing this information for later, Solas simply quirked his own bald brow, and Cassandra was just utterly surprised and became slightly red at the cheeks at such conduct being preformed at such a place like this, "Oh! I see..."

"Are you going to report me?" Ritt questioned, fear within her tone, "I-I honestly wasn't trying to be a traitor! Eldredda told me how much she would prefer to stop fighting and I, well, I couldn't just attack a woman who didn't want to kill me. She was also...well, pretty."

Putting aside the last comment, Arturia hummed to herself, "This is quite a predicament, at best you could be hanged for this."

Ritts flinched.

"Yet, I find it fascinating that this actually happened, how in the midst of the war, such, er...bond, yes, we shall be going with that, could actually be forged. What says you Varric?"

"Hey, if a girl like her could talk an apostate out of her pants, that's a gift." The dwarf managed to get out between deeply held back chuckles before continuing, speaking to the scout, "The Inquisition could use someone like you. Keep on helping us out with that talent of yours, and our lips are sealed!"

Ritts thought it over, glancing at Arturia, "You won't tell on me?"

"You have my word."

"...Alright then. I'll keep myself with the Inquisition the best way I can. Thank you for going easy on me Herald."

Thus, Arturia had once again shown her skills in not only intimidation, persuasion, and a show of kindness, but that she is sharp-witted, one that will catch a lie like snatching the tongue.


The King of Knights sighed as she gave a quick wipe of her invisible holy blade to get off any lingering blood, looking around the area after another job done.

Arturia, Cassandra, Solas, and Varric along with other Inquisition soldiers assigned to the area had just succeeded in not only protecting the people in the village by the mountainside, she has offered all that is required to live by. A very good boon if she says so herself, as this easily allows the Inquisition's hold over the hectic Hinterlands to stay firm and allow for the reborn order's influence to once again spread across these grounds - grounds that were quickly baring the Inquisition's mark boldly and proudly for all the world to see and witness.

"Thank you Inquisitor," A solider said from her and her companions' side, his tone and look holding the deepest of honors for privilege of being in the presence of someone so above his status, a look Arturia was already too acquainted with at this point of her life, "These refugees are safe, with warm clothes and enough food to fill their bellies. In fact, I think the Inquisition might be able to make use of them, if you have a mind to!"

"Oh really?" The blonde questioned at the suggestion before her, "What do you propose soldier?"

"We could ask the best and the brightest to join the Inquisition. They would serve well, I just know it! Just as easy to put them to work, or we can make the whole thing an act of charity."

Cassandra nods in thought, the Seekers very agreeing with that line of thought, "The Inquisition could use some more recruits."

"And these people have been through a lot, they could use a little charity considering what's still going on." Varric suggests, throwing in his own thoughts.

"What do you mean to do, Herald?" Solas questioned the pondering Knight. A silent moment goes by, and Arturia came to a conclusion.

"We need more recruits, skillful men who knows the damage of war. These people have suffered, and for how long can this moment of peace last?" Arturia faced her group, "We need those who are willing to help, so that eventually, we may bring this moment of peace everywhere and have it prolong as long as our power allows it."

Her group nodded to her logic. Arturia glanced down the village, "I shall personally make this request for all the hear."

"I'm sure we'll get a lot of good recruits that way," The soldier said, clearly happy that someone like Arturia was going along with a suggestion of his, "None of these people would be alive if not for you, you can bet that they'll be willing to fight in your name as I am. Your kindness will never be forgotten by any of us."

Giving a firm nod, Arturia went down and stood on top of a tree stump, already gaining the majority's attention by her regnant presence alone. And she spoke to them in a clear cut voice, a voice that could very make anyone believe that she could make the very heavens themselves bend to her very will from the unrestrained fervent it carried with monumental weight.

And she asked. She asked for brave men who are willing to fight for Thedas to come with the Inquisition and to aid in spreading its cause and bring back this world from this bleak brink it is on.

Her speech had gained many cheers and answer to her request with a firm yes. At the near end of her words, she pulls out Excalibur, unleashing and revealing it in it's full glory, and announced loudly for the sky itself to hear.

"Together, we will fight as one against all those who threaten our homes and families! I will fight for you and the future that is in peril, so fight for the Inquisition and for yourselves!" Her weapon glowed in a divine shine. The crowd grew louder, their passion hardened their souls with righteousness and courage.

Once again, hope had found it's way into they're hearts.

Flashback Ends.


The noble Nevarran, though expectantly hiding it, could still feel her blood pumping in great enthusiasm and zest from that last memory as she and her companions come closer and closer to Haven.

The Seeker is at awe by the raw magnetism her young companion demonstrated throughout they're time in the Hinterlands, and that got Cassandra to question the nature of the blonde knight.

How does a simple knight-to-be girl have such an effective way with words? Even if it is a natural talent, there is something about the girl that was completely hidden from view. Cassandra wants to ask her, she wants to know who she really is just as much as the rest of Thedas does. She's been meaning to question just who Arturia Pendragon is, but she knows she can't just outright ask her. The girl could get defensive; there could be a reason why she hadn't brought it up herself.

"I cannot outright say it, for you might not believe."

That was what the knight said to her when Cassandra asked for her true identity back at the Conclave, while they were running towards the Breach and desperately trying to quell the hell that had been broken loose and unleashed onto the world.

But as impulsive as Cassandra can be, she knew from experience - and plain common sense - that she has to only prod rarely, and be patient until the time comes when Arturia will spill most things.

The leading Inquisition companions arrived back to the icy chill of their main camp, after the hard work they've dealt with, it is good for them to spend sometime to themselves. Thus, after settling down the horses in the stables, Cassandra leaves to speak with the other advisors and relay the good news, Solas quietly goes off to create potions through the herbs he's collected to the apothecary, Varric is off to write his new book with the notes he's gathered, and Arturia...simply wishes to sleep the day away.

Truly, the most desire simple out of all her allies.

But alas, she must first drop off supplies to the Quartermaster Threnn. She gathers the requested requisition by a cart in tow with one hand and walks to the tent, where a woman in a red puffy hat with some feathers attached had just finished speaking with a solider. Arturia nods to her when they made eye-contact.

"You're back," The woman, Threnn states.

"I've brought all the you required," Arturia informs the cart and the items it carries.

"Truly?" Threnn hardly did much to conceal her surprise, glancing over the supplies, trying to find anything missing, but all is here from the looks of things, "Huh, you've actually done it."

"What is this disbelief?" Arturia hears the voice of her proud sword, "Has this woman no shame? Does she think she is speaking with an incapable squire?!"

While it is true that Threnn seems apparent due being somewhat of a recluse, Arturia feels not offense from her, therefore she silently reprimands her "talking sword". (Which she still believes is a result of her suffering some kind of madness thanks to her experiences prior coming to Thedas, though has come to be used to his talk as if speaking to a long-time old friend.)

"NO! I will not accept this, and neither should you," For some strange reason, the knight imagines him waving a white cane typically carried by that of a pompous high-class man, and it is fitting, which in itself is mad, "A proper giving would be with words akin to serving a well-cooked lobster smeared in butter and a side of chopped carrots."

"You told me you don't like carrots."

"And I don't, but a proper balanced diet is not one MY wielder should be taking lightly."

"How do you even know you don't like carrots? I've never seen you eat - a sword like you shouldn't even be able to eat."

"I've decided," The sword continues as if he hadn't even listened to the Knight, much to her everlasting frustration, "We shall be served roasted turkey stuffed with an appropriate fillings of vegetables free from carrots-though I recommend you not to avoid eating them, a balanced diet is one not to be taken lightly. But no gravy!"

Arturia calmly responds to Threnn while finding time and having a decent pace to respond to this unbelievably annoying sword of hers, "Are you telling me you actually want her to - wait, you DARE demand that I have turkey with no gravy?! TO ME?!" She mentally roars with all the fury of an lion, "What madness has consumed you to ever put such blasphemy in my mind?!"

"Then it's settled!"

Excalibur then proceeds to spout a request of all the listed items that far surpasses that of Threnn, who is only agreeing to make exchange of these supplies with what she offers. Arturia smiles politely, not wishing to actually relay these requests to the woman, but makes a mental note to stop by the kitchen and make word to the chefs there, to which she will stick around to make sure everything is done right. She breathes deeply to settle her irritation.

The thought has occurred to her beforehand, after coping with Excalibur's existence: can it be possible that Merlin has something to do with Excalibur? Had he influence her sword to be like this and would only be instigated by strange magic like that of her marked hand? Because if it turns out that the prankster had a hand in putting this pompous, obnoxious personality into her holy blade then Arturia has a serious mind to whack that wizard by the head and won't stop until she does so thrice!

Once her exchange with Threnn is done and she only patiently accepts Excalibur's complains in strides and talks to him with reasoning and partial hostility when it comes to eatery, she heads for her home, already enjoying the thought of laying there like a dead man for the next day, she passes by Leliana's tent but stops short when she hears her quietly angry voice.

"Did he THINK he could get away with this?!"

The spymaster is sounding troubled, and Arturia is one who is always willing to intrude in order to find the problem and see if she can help, so she inches closer to the tent opening. Spotting Leliana leaning against her writing table, staring past the parchment, a frown marring her face as she spoke with one of her agents present.

"He's killed one of my best agents, and knows where the others are," The Spymaster shakes her head, more than displease with this before coldly stating, "You know what must be done, make it quick, don't make him suffer if you can...he was a friend of mine once."

"Leliana?" Arturia reveals herself, her brows scrunch together over this matter, getting a faint idea of what's happening, "What are you doing?"

Leliana gives her a quick glance before looking elsewhere, as if she can't wish to see anyone just yet, "One of my own men betrayed us, and he murdered my agent." Leliana explains everything to the Knight, thus granting her an understanding of the situation, yet still, Arturia is disturbed.

"Will there be a trial?"

Leliana nearly scoffs, "Trial? Why should there be? He's guilty."

Arturia's frown deepens, "So you'll kill him just like that?"

"Does that displeased you, Herald?" Leliana questions, throwing out Arturia's title like a challenge, hardly softening her expression.

"This man could be of use to us, his knowledge is a resource, you can't just kill him."

"He's a loose end who could escape and give word to our enemies! His betrayal puts our agents - puts all of us in danger! I condemn one man to save dozens!"

She's sounding just like Kiritsugu.

"Is that what you think?" Arturia's response is sharp and quick like a knife that caught a raindrop, Leliana's answer baring too much of an similarity to that of her old Master, who's very name now continues to grind the Knight with nothing but anger, "Kill him, and we'll be worse off not knowing what he knows. Information is a key someone like you should be well-acquainted with Leliana, and what's more, do you not intend to hear from him at all? I certainly cannot and will not forgive a man who would slay his own allies, but I would at least let him explain himself, especially if it can aid us!"

"Look, I may not like what I do, but it must be done. This isn't the time to dream about ideals nor can we afford such luxuries." The redhead in the hood dismisses.

Arturia's eye twitches.

Leliana had thought she had Arturia figured out - a mature, subtly brash yet coolly skillful fifteen year old girl, who holds to her dreams of a true knight and intends to keep it that way all the way to the grave. Leliana has no knowledge how on this earth this girl managed to survive this long while clinging something so fairy-tale like, and though it is admirable, it is not reality. From here, the Left Hand of the former Divine really thought she is speaking to a teenager who simply does not understand this reality and its consequences.

That is until she sees this new expression on Arturia. At that last sentence, the girl's eyes sharpens and her shoulders became more broad with natural authority - she suddenly looks much older than her appearance would suggest.

"Is this the best from the Inquisition's Spymaster?" Her tone is positively chilling.She is not being threatening or angry, rather, she is speaking rather emotionlessly, and yet, Leliana has come to be accustomed to her mature yet noble voice that has many follow her to even the very face of death in times of seemingly total annihilation.

To hear not a speck of it now is nothing less than jarring and even unnerving.

Is this really a fifteen year old girl?

It is through a quick conclusion that Leliana deduces that she must unknowingly have touch an particularly sensitive nerve.

"I thought collecting vital information is what you exceed at, and yet here you're about to throw it away without checking for any worth first. It would appear I need to make something very clear: I am NOT asking you to spare the agent out of mercy, what I am asking for you to prolong his life when his value still exists. Though if he asks for his life in exchange I would not dawdle about that, we need to have advantages where we shall take them with how utterly unstable and at risk our position still is, otherwise we'll get nothing and we'll be biting at the end of the bone."

The knight locks eyes with the taller woman and Sister Nightgale inwardly shivers at the cold depths that the normally shining green displays at this exact moment.

"Have I made myself clear now Leliana?"

Leliana stares at the knight in complete bafflement, though she keeps her emotions in control, cooly turning away and leans over against the table, "You made your point clear." She pauses, and then looks to her agent who has been inching away in a feeling of awkwardness and slightly rubbing his arms to warm himself from this sudden decrease in temperature in an already freezing location.

Wanting to really get rid of this disarming feeling in the pit of her gut, the Spymaster decides to take heed of Arturia's words, "Apprehend the traitor, see that he lives."

The agent nods, and leaves the tent in haste.

"Is that satisfying enough?" Leliana dares to look at the knight again.

Arturia seems to have calm down, though she holds that stern gaze.

Arturia nods, very much gratified for getting her way, this time around, "One other thing, Cassandra has gone to speak with the other advisors, you should probably go join them." Delivering that piece of news, Arturia retreats from the tent, leaving Leliana to stare at her back and listens as the sound of her footsteps fade before leaning heavily on her writing table once more.


The four advisors has gathered, with Cassandra is in a mood that hasn't been around ever since the destruction of the Conclave: uplifted.

And how can she not? Everything is going more than accordingly after all. Gaining the other three advisor's interest at what could possibly be granting her this 'joy', Cassandra begins her report starting with Mother Giselle.

"She has helped us immensely, and is supporting the Inquisition fully. There are many others who've come to see the Inquisition in a legitimate faction, and we have gathered volunteered soldiers and agents throughout the Hinterlands."

Cullen and Josephine are greatly surprised at the good news, looking at the papers present on the War Table, "Already? Well, this is good news and all, but how?" Cullen inquires, picking one up.

"Arturia is certainly no shy speaker, she has gained many favors and helped those who have suffered from the backlashes of the war. With her words and actions, she has earned brave men and women who are willing to fight for the Inquisition."

"And those who've opposed us?" Josephine questions expectantly.

"Expected, but even so, they do not pose much threat to us not with the amount of support we have, and Arturia even managed to sway some of their members to our side."

"Incredible," The tanned woman whispers as she swiftly writes everything down, very much saving these for later in order to look into these new recruits that they have managed to gather from the recent incursion.

"This is going so well, I'm honestly suspicious that we've managed to get so much done at the Hinterlands in this amount of time," Cullen comments, looking more than impressed as he checked out the reports in his hands, "I'm glad we have ourselves a more than decent negotiator as the Inquisition's figurehead."

Meanwhile, Leliana stands silently with her arms crossed behind her back, a frown in place to which Cassandra notices easily from all their years of working together.

"Is there something wrong, Leliana?"

After a moment or two, Leliana responds, "Not in particular, given that everything is going almost smoothly," she pushes herself off from the wall, "Our Herald though: quite the negotiator, recruiter, and tactician, don't you think? Levelheaded, and more importantly, perspicacious at the situations presented to her, not even batting an eye." She settles her hands upon the table in between them, "It almost seems very unlikely how extraordinary this teen's talents are. Almost as if...she has had experience in such manners already."

The room goes quiet at this.

"Cassandra, even you have to admit that she is just far too good at what she is doing." The Orlesian points out to her partner of many years.

The warrior woman does not rebuke, "You are right. I have been wondering how this can be as well during our time in the Hinterlands."

Josephine grabs her own chin, "She had said she was trained to be a knight, but her talents are beyond excessive, ones which an average soldier isn't trained for, nor have the time to properly conduct them, especially at her age. We would have heard word of a child leading the front before discovering Arturia. More so, why were her guardians so eager to teach her these?"

"A line of generals?" Cullen joins in, adding his own speculation, "Training each sons and daughters the ways of war?"

"We never did found anything out about her sword either," The Antivan points out, pen in hand, "Perhaps it was given to her as a some form of present passed down through generations of the same bloodline, like one you would give to a Queen at her coronation?"

"Yet for something so powerful as that sword, if it were made by one of the great mages in history, something so vital as that should have been discovered and well known to us," Cullen retorts.

"She tells me she lived on a farm," Cassandra recalls.

"I had suspected that," Leliana states, "But as I have previously reported in, there is no farm, not even those that were destroyed by any reason, that tells us the name 'Pendragon'. No neighbors or distant relatives, not even corpses of said people."

Joesphine's features turn questioning at this, "You make it sound like she literally came out of nowhere."

A long silence befell the four advisors once again.

"Well, everything is going without any noteworthy troubles," Cullen speaks, breaking the silence, "Now only one bothers us...who the hell is this girl?"


Yep! Arturia knows how to gather support for a cause in one way or another don't you think?

Considering the fact she's King Arthur, is that really a surprise?

Also, can some tell me WHY no commented on that Byronic Heroine quote I want to do for Arturia? Like, no thoughts on what I am doing right or wrong in trying to make our girl like that? I mean, that trope can REALLY be a hit or miss for a character trait, so I really do need outside advice on making Arturia that properly.

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