The scarred, green sky dribbles with thick layers of dark gray clouds, the beginning of light rain falls from them, as an quintet of horses trots across the wet gravel beneath. Cullen pulls over his hood for the weather, and takes in the sight of nature's gallant graces of plants and trees, as he rides on his black horse with Arturia on her golden steed by his right, and the rest of her chosen companions following behind and saddled on their own stallions.
"I don't like this." He hears the complaint of their Red Jenny agent behind them.
"Come now dearie," The icy sweet voice of Vivienne addresses the anxious archer, "This will all end up being for the best, I assure you. Frankly, we should have tried for this path a long while ago, though I suppose the term fashionably late always has its appeal, and also giving time for things to settle down."
"They didn't even want to do anything with the Inquisition. Now here we are, crawling on our hands to their doorsteps!" The female elf whines.
"Until we can find a surer footing with the Mage Rebellion, we need their backing in order to have enough power to seal the Breach, especially if we fail to recruit the mages," Cassandra sternly reminds as her horse trots closer to the other side of Arturia, "Besides, this would have been our next course anyhow."
"I get that and all...but did we really have to invite those posse of posh? Nobles always have this thing of striding along like they own everything. I can't stand those people!"
"I would take care to keep those comments to yourself, darling," Vivienne softly warns, advice that looks out for the elf's well-being, and by extension the rest of their small party, "The noble's presence are a must have to accompany us if we want the Templars to see that we mean legitimate business, as well giving us the time of day since Arturia's confrontation with their Lord Seeker. Time is at the essence, and we all must do our part."
"Fine, fine, I get it...but I won't be keeping my trap shut. They gonna be an arse with me, I'll give'em that attitude right back up the arse." Sera declares conclusively.
"You had every right not to come, Sera," Cassandra irritably recalls, clearly resisting the urge to groan at her companion's glaring immaturity. "You could have simply not join us when we offered only a few to come."
"Psh! As if. I'm not letting Turi walk into that nest of vultures by herself. She might catch those stick-in-the-muds habits! I've been working hard bringing the fun into her and the stick out."
"Then you will do well to behave." The Seeker growls out her warning, which proves effective enough as Sera merely bows her head in response, a displeasing pout on her face. Cullen feels pity for the elf girl, as even he knows not to be under the fire of their Seeker's intense and unforgiving gaze. He can also understand the lack of enthusiasm of meeting nobles and their demeanor, he's dealt with more than a few in the past, which in hinsight turns out to be too many for his liking.
"This should last only a few hours, Sera," Arturia speaks up, looking behind her with a gentleness in her gaze that offers console, "I know how you feel about nobles. Believe me, I've met a few entitled persons before and I've never enjoyed how they act. Their ideas that nobility equals a sense of greater rights than others. However, this is a necessity given our current situation."
Cullen looks aside to Arturia as she returns her gaze forward, a deep, thoughtful look that hardens her eyes, "Though I am rather surprised that Lord Seeker Lucius is willing to see us so readily. Even with all the nobles we've gathered thanks to Josephine and Vivienne's connections, I would have thought he'd put up greater resistance, and a bit more hesitation considering our last meeting did not end in good lighting on his Order. Yet, he's willing to meet us face to face."
A pull of the mouth corner in strain as Cullen gives some thought to that as well, "Perhaps he's finally seen his own errors recently, and realizes the importance of dealing with the Breach as a top priority now?"
Cassandra chips in, hope coloring her tone, "I wish for that to be true, commander. We must set aside personal agenda and grudges. I just hope he is willing to listen, and not force us into drastic actions."
"If he's willing to meet with us, there may yet be a chance to forge a smooth alliance," Cullen says, though not with complete certainty, as he himself cannot say what may unfold in their meeting with the estranged Lord Seeker, "Although, I'm sure one of the dealings to that would be to forgo any intentions of allying with the mages, unless we can convince him otherwise."
"I'd say that's a pretty good damn reason to be convinced," Sera points to the glowing green whirlpool in the distant skies, the muddy weather of rain becoming meshed with it, captured and pulled by its very existence, "If it won't, then he's insane."
"We shall see what he has to say, and what he may be willing to negotiate," Arturia announces calmly yet steadfastly. "His previous acceptance of an invitation ended with him punching a cleric of the Chantry and ridiculing us publicly. Suffice to say, a level of caution should be advised."
"It's astounding to think that actually occurred." Vivienne says astoundedly, sounding almost in disbelief that such an brazen event ever happened in the first place, "If it wasn't for the countless eye witnesses, I would have assumed that it was just another spit-fire rumor that circled in Val Royeaux. If the Lord Seeker does prove to be too difficult, then I have no qualms to any alternatives you have already in mind, if it means obtaining the Templars' allegiance - one way or another."
The hint of familiarity in the First Enchanter's tone holds a cold and ominous edge, one that has the knowledge of someone who has witnessed - or even taken part of - the clean removal of certain "troublesome" people in the past without a speck of wonder from those who may have noticed and wished to avoid that icy storm that came like silence in the night. Cullen is reminded with much appreciation to the Maker that they have someone like Madam de Fer on their side, and not against them.
"To this day I still can't believe he did that." Cassandra agrees in an solemn tone. "One can only hope that Lucius hasn't changed too much over the years, even with everything that has happened. The stress of the war and what happened at the Conclave must be affecting him poorly."
"Doesn't mean he has to take it out on others." Sera sourly mutters.
"With that, I agree."
Cullen takes the conversation in stride as he soon enough finds himself preoccupied with his own thoughts as they reach on horses for their destination. On one hand, there is logical merit to his own coming, and it did manage to provide him some, well, very interesting insight on the interactions Arturia has with her companions - seeing how she is in between work and how well she is adjusting to their closest recruits, which is quite good from what he's seen. And with people like Sera and Vivienne, things are bound to be interesting.
On the other hand, he feels a sense of...rising discomfort he's doing his utmost to keep at bay as they rode for the current base of the Templars, traveling for the place where his once brethren awaits, a shadow of a memory of his time as a member of the Templar Order will most certainly bring back life to his somewhat forgotten moments. It is like coming home, and it chills his heart in a way that the feeling of rain couldn't cause.
The former Knight-Captain of Kirkwall thinks back to the discussion that resulted in his journeying with Arturia back at Haven, wondering why or how all of the women he knows have such a bloody strangling hold on his life choices...
Flashback...
"-Although it is useful to have a group who's been founded to fight magic. Our greatest obstacle is convincing Lord-Seeker Lucius to an alliance." Spoke Leliana to Cullen, Josephine, Cassandra, and Arturia.
Dorian had been escorted to an available bed after together voicing their joined agreement to the outstanding situation regarding what's happened at Redcliffe. Putting a pause to allying with the Mages, there comes the next best thing that may also be able to help when and if such dangerous and powerful magic would be close to changing their world - beating the Breach to it, which makes this allegiance all the more important in order to rescue the Mage Rebellion from whatever ploy Alexius has in store.
"We cannot say that the templars would be able to assist us with Redcliffe," Josephine admonishes, "not only is time magic a new ability that is beyond everyone's knowledge, meaning that they don't have any means to counter it, but bringing the templars along will only assume war and we will lose the mages." She added with much potent with a wave of her feather pen, "If we are going to have both the Mages and Templars as allies, we must do so with caution. Going to the latter now will already put a bad light on us as this would cause the former to assume that we are siding against them."
"Which is why we will be posing our approach to the Templars as open interest, not immediate decision." The spymaster reassured smoothly, pointedly eyeing her old friend, who easily meets her stare back.
"That still will not prevent the mages to think what they see." The Inquisition's ambassador counters. No doubt talking from personal experience.
"Then, before anymore of the war spills out, we must first appeal to the Templars, and have them call a ceasefire." Arturia voiced out, "The cease firing will be under the agreement that all our efforts, influence, and components will put to use under the common goal of sealing the Breach. Going with the Templars first will also remove the hurdle that they would immediately be hostile at any mention of joining the Mages. The Mages, in comparison, will be easier to reason with, so long as we can abstain the Templars aggression." Her tone of voice then fills with steadfast resolution, "At this meeting, the word will spread that the Inquisition intends to unite the Templars and the Mages, just as Divine Justinia had attempted, and finish where she has left off."
"Pursuing the historical intentions in the name of the beloved Divine would touch the hearts of the mass," Leliana supported approvingly, more than happy to continue on the will of her deceased mentor. "Now all that leaves is how to convince Lucius. Pressuring the templars through nobles gives us an entry, the next is to find a stable enough bridge to reach him, which may or may not have been cut after our Hearld's denouncing them - justified as they were, though it certainly puts us in a difficult position."
Cullen lifted a letter from the war table, presenting it with a slight crinkle sound of the parchment, "Having received word from their knight recruit is a good sign. Means that they're willing to talk."
Cassandra frowned out of sheer suspicion, "But why to Therinfal Redoubt? It's been vacant for decades."
Josephine shakes her head gently, neither she, nor Cullen or Leliana, holding the answer. "We must approach the Lord Seeker again to get anywhere. We can ask him then."
Cullen spotted the concerned expression on Arturia's face. He was able to get a good idea of her thoughts, having thought of it as well, many times in fact, "It's unlikely that they intend to publicly shame you like what they did at Val Royaux. The nobles will be present to speak to the Templars as our support. They wouldn't dare risk doing anything their providers would not agree, it would be an insult."
"Though he may not be willing to help us still," Arturia attested with a remaining frown, looking at the table. "From what I could tell after a single moment of meeting him, he seems keen on following his own ways, and refuses to bow to anyone."
"He was unlike how I knew him long ago," Cassandra agreed with a hesitant nod. "He may be reasoned with yet, but I cannot be sure."
"He is sure to change how he sees you when we arrive with members of the noblest houses of Orlais," Josephine consoled. "After having a lengthy conversation with Vivienne, she was able to also come into contact with a few noble acquaintances of hers, and they agree to come with us in our negotiations. If the Lord Seeker had thought you as something less, we shall meet him with status at a high caliber. Our efforts and the amount of support garnered throughout this ordeal should already put us in a position where the Inquisition is proven legitimate."
Skeptics crawled in Cullen's heart as his blonde brows furrowed, "But will that be enough to sway the Lord Seeker?"
"It has to," The Seeker conveyed with certainty, "Even the Lord Seeker would find it difficult to ignore so many nobles at his doorsteps."
"Especially when led by the Herald of Andraste," Leliana added to that. "From the start, a Herald with few companions would be sneered at and dismissed, easily set aside. Now, that same Herald returning with noble support will lead to reconsideration, as well the power of the Inquisition."
"We had a chance to speak with Madam de Fer about this matter, and she offered to come with us," Cassandra announced before adding with firm resolution, "I will be going as well. I've known the Lord Seeker longer than anyone else here, there may still be some of himself I can speak to yet."
"It's best for you and Arturia to go in few numbers. Anymore and we'd be seen as an army, not a negotiating party," Leliana stated, "A Seeker who the Lord Seeker is familiar with, and a mage who supports the Circle, as well having been the Empress of Orlais's adviser, is sure to turn some heads our way if they haven't already."
Nodding to the discussion, the Inquistion's commander then added, "And if the Lord Seeker is still willing to be stubborn, well - with respect," he said politely before adding with much curt and a swipe of his hand, "after what he did at Val Royaux, hang what the Lord Seeker seeks."
"We do not need him specifically, just his Templars." Leliana clarified to Arturia, with the knight nodding in response.
"I understand. These are treacherous times, with time itself against us. There cannot be any stalemate between us and the Lord-Seeker, not with whatever Alexius intends or further destruction the Breach will bring yet."
"Though that may be a risk on it's own." Josephine added, calling to attention to the problems that may more than likely arise, "If we are even remotely suspected to be responsible of..."removing" the Lord Seeker. We would lose our Templars."
A very possible risk that's all too likely to occur should Lucius prove to be as unreasonable as he is determined to be. Cullen sincerely hope it doesn't come to that - although hearing the Lord Seeker's actions as of late has instantly placed the man in Cullen's personal dislike list. What a shameful performance for a Templar of his stature - how on Thedas could that man maintain his position at this point?
"...What if we include another additional support to speak for our cause? Someone who has a deep understanding of what the Templars are attempting to accomplish, and reason with them through the words of one of their own?"
Cullen's eyes picked up to the speaking youth, whose emerald eyes were focused upon him. He sees Cassandra's confused and then instant understanding as the warrior woman looked to him as well. Then Leliana with her concerning gaze of intrigue, then Josephine.
"Er...what?" The commander ignorantly asked.
"That's an idea..." Josephine said with a light, understanding smile before turning to her blonde colleague fully. "Commander, you know of the Templar Order's values and their accords. You may have a good, if not better chance at communicating with them than even Cassandra would."
"The word of a well-respected, even an ex-templar, is not something to overlook." Leliana coyly added on, staring at him from under hooded eyes.
Cullen's brain took a pause...and then it slapped him awake with instant comprehension.
"Oh. Well... that would make sense. There could be Templars there I'm familiar with, and might be able to talk to, have them get it through the Lord-Seeker. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try, but there's a lot of work here that-"
"We will take care of it, commander," Josephine quickly interceded his thoughts, as if foreseeing them - an ability of hers Cullenfeels he really should be used to by now. "Frankly, I think you could use a break and travel for a bit."
"At least until reaching Therinfal Redoubt," The redhead spymistress stated, now outright smiling coyly. "Still, I'm sure the scenery will be quite lovely."
"It's settled then," Cassandra suddenly announced. "We'll prepare an extra horse and supplies for the commander to take."
"Do you think he might better show himself if he carried an old symbol of theirs?"
"That could win us a sympathy point from their members, strike them where they resonate the most with."
"Perhaps on an old sword or-"
As the women discussed amongst them the ways of "dressing to appeal' the commander up, Cullen was dumbly standing there as if letting his mothers decide what to wear. He seemed quite at a lost that he isn't even going to be part of this discussion.
A break from work is honestly a nightmare, and the serene scene of fellow templars together? Taking him back to his days in the Templar Order? With the comradery between brothers in armor, tense struggles, and lyrium that practically ruined his entire sense of self-sufficiency?
It'll be one trip down to memory lane for certain.
But Cullen held his actual thoughts on the matter, as the more he let the idea settled, the more it makes sense that perhaps he should go and grant Arturia support. Or maybe deep down, there was a hint of his heart that longed the templar days, and would like to meet said fellows however long ago it has been since he wore their symbol.
He internally shook away that last thought. He shouldn't look forward for the sentimentality of it, of all things. This was something far more than that. The world is at stakes, and for the good of it all, he'll take up on this mission no matter his own personal feelings on the matter, whatever good memories that brings, and whatever bad memories that follows behind them.
Besides, he's a member of the Inquisition now, and he had a duty to see that through no matter what.
Flashback ends...
Cullen leaves his thoughts when he hears a question given by Madame de Fer herself, "I am rather curious. Despite your opinion on this trip, why did you decided to come beside looking out for our dear Herald, Sera?"
The blonde commander turns his head in time to see a blatant, if not an obvious, avoiding shrug by the Red Jenny agent, "Seems better I come along. You know? There's some corrupt people there. Something I'm sure you'd know, Viv. I have names and faces you know-" there are too many "you knows" that it honestly sounds like she's just throwing out an answer to sate an interrogator, "-and there's a lot that Turi should know about them so she can avoid them."
"Hm. Quite a sound and smart approach, I admit."
"I ain't stupid, obviously."
"Of course not, darling. I was just curious to hear more of your reasoning, and to make sure that it wasn't because a certain bird had her head splat by a rotten egg and is now on the hunt for the perpetrator who dared to drop it over our lovely, dangerous, and now foul smelling nightingale. No dear, you certainly wouldn't be so foolish as to do something like that at all."
A long, very long moment of silence as Vivienne holds up her deviously beautiful smile. Cullen is feeling his own face dawn with incredulous realization as he can only stare at the elf in agape. "...That was you?!" He hears the aghast shout of Cassandra, not needing to specify who that question is directed towards.
Sera's head shinks between her shoulders, "...S'not my fault. Stupid worker pointed the wrong building."
"Maker's breath - you were the one who egged Leliana?!" Cullen questions with a resuming flabbergasted look, and is in between laughing out loud and just staring in disbelief like an open-mouth idiot.
"It wasn't my fault!" Sera repeats desperately, waving her hands frantically and sputtering excuses, "It was supposed to be Turi! She used the wrong alchemy ingredient and we made a deal about that and she wasn't there and the egg just slipped out of my hands-"
"Well, I can't say it wasn't a clever joke," The enchanter suddenly says, "if only a bit on the beak."
Cullen fails to hide his snort as his clenches fist held back his chuckle while spouts of "I didn't mean to land it on her face!" is hurtled by Sera,
"That's something Varric would appreciate greatly to hear, Vivienne." Arturia informs rather calmly, almost offhandedly.
"Wait...you seem unsurprised at this, Hearld," Cassandra observes the impassive face of their herald with heavy suspicion, "Could it be...did you know?"
To her credit, the emerald-eyed girl actually responds, if half-heartedly so, "Well, it just so happens that I was around when Leliana came to me, who asked me if I happened to take note of anyone familiar in the area, all while she appeared to have some yolk on her face and a stench of puke - so to speak. It also just so happened that I saw a certain blonde elven archer hiding behind some craters and muttering some clear regrets. Of course, I didn't put two-to-two together until after our spymaster left with vengeful purpose in her stomping, a wrathful warbird hunting for her prey is how I would best describe it. Then, as if by fate itself, Sera soon after came to me, suddenly quite eager to join in on our negotiation venture, practically begging actually for some reason..."
"Please don't tattle on me," The guilty elf pleads, "I'll do you one favor - two! I didn't mean to do anything to her! Just wanted to come along and let things cool down a bit back at the camp, yeah?"
"Leliana is very good at what she does, Sera," Cassandra dryly warns, "She may eventually discover you."
"Well I'm just as good, I ain't afraid...and not if I hide."
"Oh my, now that's certainly something to think on," Vivienne remarks in slight amusement, "Two agents of discretion playing a game of cat and mouse - or bird and mouse in this case. Which one will get ahead of the other, I wonder?"
"Maybe I can sleep outside of Haven for a little while..." The Red Jenny agent whimpers. Cullen's laughing smile refusing to fade, as the weight of his old concerns lifting, if briefly.
That died as soon as the fort of Therinfal Redoubt came into sight beyond the hills.
They station their horses to the stables built near the stronghold for visitors. The fort of where the Templar Order currently resides is an undoubtedly imposing building as the rain continues to befell over their heads. Cullen pats the neck of his noir steed, and looks to Arturia's way, feeding her blonde horse with a few berries, and patting the animal's face tenderly, contrasting the way her emerald gaze remains stone in deep thought.
"Still worried?" Cullen asks. The knight's expression averts to her uphold composure as she looks to Cullen.
A brief consideration before she answers, "Normally, I don't allow myself to think too deeply when it comes to this sort of thing. I've dealt with meetings such as this many times before now."
"While I don't doubt the truth in your words, this one in particular will be a turning point unlike any other. The start of an end of a long-going feud," Cullen offers. " A history in the making should everything go accordingly. It's perfectly natural to feel at edge, but don't worry. You have plenty of backing that will give you the support you need."
"It's not that I'm wavering, per say," The young knight turns around, facing the view of the fort before them. "I can't quite explain it, but something just feels...amiss. It's a discomforting feeling that I can't seem to keep focus. Like dark curtains blinding me of whatever it is I'm supposed to be able to see..."
She takes another pause, eyes lowering to the ground with a sharp intensity, a hesitation to her as if deciding if she should withhold it or not, and then finally confesses, "It's regrettable, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is the right call. I've been hoping to erase anymore doubts since arriving here, since the start of all of this. Perhaps it's the Mage Rebellion I'm worried, or perhaps my dislike of the Lord-Seeker is getting to me. I know that having such thoughts would lead to severe consequences, losing the faith others have placed upon me - on our group, and all the repercussion that is to come."
She lets out a sighing whisper as she looks up to the dreary, wounded sky.
"It seems old habits has their unrelenting grip on me yet still."
Cullen follows her gaze, their eyes leading to the Breach that haunts their every dream, of everyone's dream as a living nightmare. "I can imagine, maybe even relent to the dreaded responsibility. It's regrettable to a lot of it, that you have to bear it," the commander states somberly, turning to her fully. "But you won't have to bear it alone."
He witnesses a slight tightness of her hand that clenches to a fist before releasing it - by force, he cannot say, but it encourages him to press on. "This is a matter that requires all of us to put aside ourselves, and join under the same interest for everyone's sake. The Templars will help us on that, I'm sure of it. And if the Lord Seeker refuses to be moved after all this trouble, if he intended to discourage or bring your name down under, I won't let that stand - templar or no."
Cullen concludes with a firm certainty, a promise written in his own heart as he speaks of it, "You've done a lot of good for Thedas. We won't let him slander you. You have my word."
The knight returns her gaze to his unshaken ones, the sharpness of them softening by an inch, and she nods slowly, "...Thank you, commander. It may not seem like it, and I've never said this to anyone in order to keep an image of strength...but hearing it from you, it does ease the weight of it all, even by a bit, I most appreciate it."
"We can't let you carry all the weight yourself, after all," Cullen response firmly in light humor, before adding, "And, well...off work, feel free to call me Cullen. And if you ever need anyone to talk to, whether you are having doubts or any other matter, I'm always willing to lend an ear."
"...I shall hold you onto that then. I never had the chance to say this, but you are a good man, and a good tactician, commander," A warm smile shows itself from the lovely girl that gives relief to her sense of humanity. "It's an honor to have met you and be working alongside with you. I hope it will continue for as long as it can be allowed, until the Breach is sealed."
A warmly spoken sentiment that actually pulls a string in Cullen's battered and emotionally scarred heart, and suddenly, he finds himself wanting nothing more than to protect this girl and make sure she is looked after.
Returning the compliment with a slightly embarrassed smile, Cullen then gestures for the hold, "Shall we then? The others and I will be right beside you."
With another long look at Therinfall Redoubt, Arturia's pose reverts back to its confident self, but now with a more relaxed sense of grace about her that makes the commander to wonder how long has she's been carrying that thoughtful amount of stress, and if it is anything like his own.
The young knight walks with her Inquisition's commander steel-booted stride, and heads for the entry of the hold of the Templar Order, Cullen following close after. prepared to give a shoulder and sword whenever it is called for.
"I mean it, you know," The commander suddenly swears, "If the Lord Seeker tries anything, we'll make sure to deflect whatever next insult he has to say."
The knight regards the oath with another nod, "Then I shall make sure that defense shall be returned in kind. I will not let him speak ill of the Inquisition anymore."
Cullen agrees to the compromise, "Then lets do our best to watch each other's backs, for all our sake."
Reaching Therinfal Redoubt's entry bridge and gate, the Inquisition are met with one of the nobles allied with them.
"To what a welcome surprise to see you here with the Herald of Andraste, Commander Cullen." Lord Esmeral Abernache greets the group with a grandiose voice with distinct pleasantries, his attention then centering on the mage of their group, "Ah! And Lady Vivienne as well! We met at last Summer's Ball. The duke introduced us."
"Indeed. I could not possibly forget the occasion." The Enchanter courtesies with equal, graceful politeness that promises that she sincerely remembers the noble before her. She certainly has Cullen convinced of so.
"The Lord Seeker is willing to hear our petition about closing the Breach," The noble exclaims proudly, "A credit to our alliance with the Inquisition. Care to mark the moment? Ten Orlesian Houses walk with you."
"Maker, this guy sounds like he's got his breeches up too tight-"
Cassandra quickly shushes Sera as Arturia gives saving grace, talking over the ruckus behind her and greeting back the noble, "Have you heard of where the Lord Seeker intends to meet with us?"
"He's in the keep, last I hear. Lets not keep the man waiting, especially with that ghastly looking thing just hanging over there by the clouds."
A rumble of thunder echoes throughout the skies as Cullen forces himself to regard the distant Breach once again and to focus on the mission up ahead. The group follows after Arturia, joined by Lord Abernache as they walked past the gates and into a garden that was lush with greenery, a dirt path paved across as they reach for where more people have gathered.
"-speaking of which, I don't suppose you'll divulged what finally brought their attentions? Rumor will, if you won't."
Cullen frowns at the noble, "What do you mean?"
"The Lord Seeker won't meet us until he greets the Inquisition, in person."
"He's keeping himself locked up?" Vivienne asks, raising a delicate eyebrow by a slight inch, catching onto the perturbed mannerisms of the spoken Lord Seeker, "Not even meeting you - a noble? That's quite a strange form of hospitality, if one may even call it so."
Well, after punching a Chantry cleric in front of a crowd, Cullen already suspects the Lord Seeker is not a man of manners these days.
"This is so unlike him..." He overhears Cassandra whisper to herself, confounded by this latest development.
"Yes. It caught all of us off guard. To prefer meeting with the young Herald foremost, after what happened at Val Royaux, that is." Esmeral continues in a particular tone that eerily sounds suspecting in a way that Cullen does not like.
"I cannot speak for the Lord Seeker," Arturia starts carefully, "We only request an audience with him, to put forth negotiations so to deal with the Breach."
"Well, I'm sure he will give us an explanation once we see him face-to-face." The conversation then takes a more personal turn as Esmeral lowers his voice, almost in a conspiratorial tone, "Between you and I, the Chantry never took advantage of the Templars. Wiser heads should steer them."
Cullen can practically feel a deep scowl form on Cassandra's face without having to look behind him. A subtle cough that strangely sounds like "arse!" also gives way, though he dares not look. At least until a quiet follow up "at least their hats fit their heads-" before an "ow!" quickly cuts through along with the sound of an armored fist hitting a skinny arm. Thankfully, the rain is able to cover most of the noise. The blonde commander certainly hopes so, even if this noble that represents the ten households already didn't sit well with him.
"Here we are! Therinfal Redoubt!" The noble presents dramatically, arms wide as they arrive to another gate. Red banners carrying the Templar Order's symbols are pictured on each of them as they hang upon the stone walls of the inner fort.
"The Lord Seeker abandoned the White Spire to come here..."
There is disbelief in Cassandra's dry and low tone. While Therinfal Redoubt does show to be a strong hold, it isn't as impressive as the central stronghold located in Val Royeaux. Decay has overrun this place throughout the years with cracks in the foundation, overgrowth of moss and untrimmed plants overtaking the walls.
What in the world drove Lucius to come to this dying place?
"It appears they sent someone to greet you all." Esmeral announces, clearly disgusted at having to step foot in such a rotting location. Cullen follows his sight and finds a lone Templar standing outside the far end of another gate. Nobles crowding the areas in their nicely dressed outfits that seem unfit for this weather and area.
He never can understand the appeal to fashion over practicality, even Vivienne knows the wisdom of getting a cloak. A fashionable cloak that's a pretty purple, but still, it is practical.
"Present well, everyone is a little tense," Esmeral adds, and they walk across the stone bridge with the Orlesian lord taking most of the lead and leaving the rest of the group to discuss amongst themselves as they follow, passing by the chattering folks of nobility with their comments and complaints of small matters or political. What Esmeral brings up does have Cullen think more on this meeting and the peculiarity of it, looking to Arturia who seem to have the same thoughts.
"Better keep your sword close to you, Turi," He overhears Sera urge the blonde knight, the elven agent moving closer to conspicuously whisper this. "Not just because that Esmeral guy is a complete total tit - I'd know, I've heard how he treats other folks that aren't lucky enough to be born filthy rich. It's awfully fast these templar are willing to forget. Not sure what this Seeker person might be wanting from you."
"Sera is right," Cassandra supports, cautiously moving next to Arturia, "This is beyond anything I could have foreseen the Lord Seeker doing."
"There's something certainly off-putting about this," Vivienne also agrees, Cullen easily feeling her magic ready to be unleashed at any given moment, "Keep your wits about you everyone."
It seems the young knight is very much right to have her suspicions. He takes heed of it completely now as the commander chooses to stay close by Arturia's side, keeping in mind to have his arm over his sword hiding underneath his cloak.
Passing another bridge and walking further, the group reach the third gate leading to the center of the hold, where Esmeral's servant is speaking to the awaiting templar in introduction, "Knight Templar, Ser Delrin Barris. Second son of Bann Jevrin Barris of Ferelden."
The servant then proceeds to eloquently introduce Esmeral, but at the sight of the Inquisition group approaching, Delrin forgoes his attention of the representing noble and strides right past him to the surveying Arturia. Cullen can spot the immediate offense in the lord's eyes, and he cannot deny the satisfaction to see it take place.
"You've arrived!" Delrin announces, an odd amount of relief apparent on his entire person, "I'm the one who sent word to Cullen. He said the Inquisition works to close this Breach in the Veil?"
"That remains true," Cullen responses, stepping forward on behalf of the group, "We're here because we have heard the Lord Seeker is willing to discuss on that?"
"That's what he told us. I didn't expect you to bring such..." He glances at not only the group, but the nobles as well, "...lofty company."
Esmeral retrieves his noble stride as he walks to Delrin's side, somehow sneering with his body, "A Barris? Moderate holdings your family has. And the second son?" He doesn't even bother to hide his laugh.
"-hugearsehole!" Another loud and unsubtle cough from Sera. This time, there is no attempt to silence it from Cassandra, who seems more than in agreement, to which Cullen resonates with. Vivienne as well seems less than impressed at Esmeral's attempt at superiority as Cullen spots a slight frown on Arturia, signaling that her patience with the noble is also beginning to dry.
'Just take deep breaths and bear with it. One can only hope that this meeting doesn't go on too long.'
Delrin only dignifies the noble with an unamused look, making no response to that insult and resumes his conversation with the Inquisition, "This promise of status has garnered interest from the Lord Seeker, beyond sense."
"What do you mean?" Cassandra asks, stepping closer behind Cullen.
"The sky burns with magic but he ignores all calls to action until your friends arrive." Delrin allows no hesitation in revealing his feelings as well the decisions of the Lord Seeker. "All of the templars have been ordered to retreat from across the lands to here."
"All of the templars?" A single brow rises from Arturia. "The Lord Seeker withdrew his men from battle completely?"
"Yes. He called off the hunt for the members of the Mage Rebellion, paused our patrol and other duties, not even when the people demanded us."
The blonde ponytail whips as Arturia turns her head for Cullen, but the commander is just as surprise - or rather, downright shocked. Calling in all Templars from the public, all while demons and uncontrollable magic still roam the land? What in the blazes is that man Lucius thinking?!
"Is this something a Seeker is allowed to do?" The young knight questions as Cullen feels his head spinning at this ludicrous news, simply shaking his head.
"Under severe circumstances, but right now? And to wait this long for us?" Their travel to Therinfal Redoubt is a trip that lasted several days, who knows what disaster could have happened during that time without the Templar Order! "His people should be out there right now trying to protect and keep order!" The older blonde nearly screams, allowing his passion to seep through before forcing himself to calm and keep his head.
"This can only be if there was an emergency, and if there is no other recourse," Cassandra adds to that, "As the commander says, his goal should still be the same. But the Lord-Seeker's superiors should have given him the authority-"
"The Lord Seeker has taken command," Delrin suddenly states, "Permanently."
A startling pause is the result of the news that takes all of them aback.
Cullen can hardly believe what madness he is hearing. Cassandra too, stating slowly, "If he feels there is holy mandate..."
"That is what he claims, and our commanders parrot him."
What?!
'The whole world is about the burn, and the commanders of the Templars are just letting their clearly unstable Seeker do as he pleases?!'
An urge to grab the hilt of his sword in gripping fury, the ex-templar knight abstains himself with serious self-restraint. "Where is the Lord Seeker?" Cullen demands heatedly, his heart fueled and ignited with fire, "Perhaps we should continue this discussion with the man himself actually present."
"He's inside, but I've been told that the Herald has to go through a procedure. I've been instructed to guide her."
"Are you serious?" Sera pipes up at last, vocalizing the perplexity the group is no doubt feeling, "The sky's on fire and you want us to waste MORE time?"
"Surely, a bit of haste is recommended and preferred..." Vivienne tries to appease as well.
Delrin merely sighs, and it is then that Cullen finally takes a real look at the templar. The dark circles under the Knight-Templar's eyes most telling, and the blonde commander finds himself sympathizing with the man.
The templar steps closer, lowing his voice as he is worried that he'll be overheard by undesirable ears, "Look, I know how it sounds. The Lord Seeker's actions make no sense, the other templars see this as well. He promised he'd restore the Order's honor, then marched us here to wait. Templars should know their duty, even when held from it."
"Hah! Bout time one of you gobs said that." Sera chortles.
"It certainly is comforting to hear it," Vivienne comments as well with a pleased look, eyeing at Ser Barris with a new perspective, "A Templar who knows his duty."
A flash of understanding is in Delrin's own eyes as he then adds, "I don't know what's gotten over the Lord-Seeker," he regards Artruia with a subtle but pleading gaze, "But if you win him over, the Templars - every able-bodied knights will do whatever the Inquisition needs to help seal the Breach."
"If you understand that the Lord Seeker is beyond comprehensible actions, I cannot promise if we may be able to convince him," Arturia warns, "If you truly believe the unlawfulness of this, then will you not leave the Lord Seeker and join us?"
Delrin resignedly shakes his head, "We can't abandon our orders. Not while the officers who survive the Conclave follow him. You'll just have to win him over somehow. It's already taken much to have you here after that shameful display in Val Royaeux, this may be a chance to move pass that, but it also shows that our truth changes on the hour."
"I believe this conversation is taking longer than it should," Esmeral suddenly speaks up, and condescendingly orders the templar, "Don't keep your betters waiting, Barris. There is more important work for those who are born to it."
Delrin hides his visible groan from the noble's sight, as he bows his head to them, beginning to lead them through the gate. "Before meeting him, the Lord-Seeker made a request for you to follow," the templar states as he lead the group into an area. Other templars standing aside, all eyes that seem to peer closely at them all.
Unflinchingly, Cullen peers back at each member, himself and Cassandra keeping close to Arturia's side as they follow the templar in front of them.
After a few minutes, Delrin stops in front of what seems to be three contraptions that has individual wheels on them. Behind the contraptions, three banners upon the stone wall, each with a symbol: the first banner shows a symbol of a Sun, the second banner a lion, and the third banner a symbol Cullen recognizes the most, the sword symbol of the Templars.
"These are the standard," Delrin explains. "An honored rite, centered on the people, the Maker, and the order. The Lord Seeker asked that you perform the rite so that he may see the order in which you honor them."
Cullen frowns as he speaks up at this odd request, "This ritual is only performed and done by new Templar recruits."
"They were...until the Lord Seeker decided to make an exception today," Delrin informs with much despondency before resume looking to Arturia, "He wants you to set the orders of the banners in which you hold the most value."
"And if I fail to meet his standards?"
"There's no correct answer. The ritual shows who you are, and what you believe."
The young knight looks back to her group, emerald eyes posing the question of whether or not to go through with this request.
Cullen shares a look with Cassandra, both having odd feelings over this whole matter, before they each gave their slow agreements. The blonde knight earns another from a distrusting but compliant Vivienne and a shrugging acceptance from Sera. With that, Arturia turns back to Delrin, "Very well. If this is all that the Lord Seeker asks of us-"
"Not the Inquisition..." Delrin suddenly interjects, and before any more of their confusion settles in, the dark-skin templar quickly adds with just as much befuddlement, "The Lord Seeker changed everything to meet you. Not the Inquisition. You. Arturia Pendragon by name."
Tension rises in Cullen as he shares another concerned look with Cassandra, hearing a rightly perturbed Arturia asking, "Why?"
"I don't know," Delrin admits, "He's been fixated on you ever since...since Val Royauex."
"Well, that's not creepy at all." Sera deadpans flatly, hardly much joking as she looks at the staring templars by the walls. "Told you there was somethin' I didn't like about this..."
"You have a way of earning fans, my dear," Vivienne notes, sending an encouraging yet cautioning looking to Arturia, "I think you should go ahead and please the Lord Seeker. At least that this will eventually get us to meet with him."
"This is becoming more than what we were expecting." Cassandra quietly voices her thoughts to Cullen, the commander solemnly agreeing, even starting to think that it might not be worth allying with the Templars if they have their rogue Lord-Seeker in charge.
Esmeral himself is very much less than pleased, though with entirely different reasons, "The Lord Seeker makes us shuffle flags around? Refuse! Our houses has spent a lot of time and resources to come here. Let's meet the man already."
"The Lord-Seeker will see you after you complete the ritual," Delrin promises.
"Hang your own drapes, knight! We have business to discuss!"
"That's it. I'm throwing a rotten egg at him later." Sera discreetly announces as the noble begins arguing with the templar.
Cassandra whispers back in an harsh scold, "Not while we're here."
"...So later then?"
"...As long as you don't leave anything that trace back to us."
"You should try it with a dash of pepper, it tends to stick onto the clothes for weeks." Madame de Fer quietly suggests, having quite enough of the noble's attitude with their would be allies.
Cullen is far too distracted with all that's been realized at this moment to pay any attention to the others. Pondering and deeply questioning as he looks up to the three banners, then back to Arturia, "If we play their game, we may obtain their affinity, but...I'll be forward: this is completely unorthodox. Staying the templars from doing their duty has already made me wonder if the Lord Seeker has gone mad."
"We cannot risk backing out now," Vivienne states objectively, "It's not the Lord Seeker himself we're here for, it's his templars we want on our side. This will be our only chance to have their alliance."
"But this is truly strange..." The Seeker of the group voices quietly, "It's starting to resemble a lot how...that other meeting of ours went."
Cullen delves deeply into his thoughts as to how to deal with this situation. Before, he had been jumping on the chance to ally with the Templars, now, he's not so sure anymore. He looks to Arturia, and seeing as how they are all at an impasse, he decides the next best thing, and asks their young Herald directly.
"What do you want to do, Arturia?"
The young knight looks to the main base, her eyes then trailed after the sky, watching for a moment.
"...It is as Vivienne says. This may in fact, be our only chance," Without any hesitation, Arturia faces Delrin directly, "I will do the ritual as the Lord Seeker requested. Tell me, what does each symbol represent?"
"The Sun represents Andraste. The Lion represents the people. And the last symbol represents our Order. Arrange them to the level of importance from highest to lowest. When you're finished, I'll take you to the Lord Seeker."
With understanding, Arturia treads forward carefully as she approaches the third wheel, left with her decision as her group and the others watches afar.
"Andraste should naturally be the highest banner." Cassandra expresses quietly to Cullen.
"I'm hoping she picks the Order, not only to get in good graces with the Templars," Cullen responds. The Templars help contain wild magic after all, and right now, it's a valuable asset to contain the Breach.
"Very much in agreement to that." Vivienne states, hand on hip as she observes their Herald making her choices.
"Pfft. That's so typical." Sera rejects crudely, "It's people that people should care about. It's what makes up the world. Why else would the Inquisition be fighting?"
"Its also people that the Inquisition are fighting. Those who threaten and endanger others. Despite the romance of it, not everyone would be grateful." Vivienne attests.
They hear the creaking of the banners movement, and they all look to see which flag Arturia picks.
For her first choice, the one choice the young blonde hair deems to be the most important, to what the Herald of Andraste personally values, the symbol of the golden lion reaches the top, its banner gently swaying under the breeze.
"...Somehow, that is not surprising," Cassandra huffs as Sera whoops over her shoulder, the Seeker crossing her arms.
"Hm. I wouldn't have personally picked that," Vivienne says, "but I dare say, it's a symbol that I can see fit with her character."
A young lioness at the face of tribulations. Cullen actually finds himself silently agreeing, though it does leave him wondering, and reminds the former templar of the heavy weight of that responsibility, and has an in-depth realization to what this girl stands for. What she sees as the most important, what she believes, and what she is fighting for.
He hopes to alleviate that weight. No single man should have to bear the weight of the world alone over their shoulders. Especially someone as young as her.
The ritual does not last for long, and there is no hesitation for each banner Arturia picks from highest importance to lowest. The People banner standing proudly at the top, then second comes Andraste, and third the Order. In Cullen's days as a trainee, there has never been a recruit who moved the Templar Order as the lowest importance. It would always be at the highest, or second-to highest, with Andraste taking first place in those cases.
In hindsight, it's a despondent acknowledgement that they see the importance of the people to be a third and last to take into account, and Cullen feels the shame of that truth.
"Traditionally, a participant in the Rite must now explain their choices," Delrin informs, and waits as all takes heed to hear Arturia's answer.
The young knight takes another deep pondering moment, staring at the ground to collect her thoughts, "...For as long as I can remember, it has always been my belief. One that I had held throughout my whole life. To fight for the future of the people, to ensure that their lives are long and full of hope, free of pain and sorrow...while others may believe that it is the people who serve their king, I firmly believed it is the other way around. It is the king who serves his people. He protects them, giving them warm homes and shielding them from enemies. It is a king's duty to secure not only the safety of his people, but their happiness as well...to this day, I don't know how right that is, but I know that there is a purpose far greater than myself - that is what I stand and fight for."
Every word that leaves with every breath, it is all sworn selflessly. A speech that takes the templars around them a moment of thought and a brief self-reflection. A valiant spoken speech.
To Cullen, it seemed so pressuring of an ideal, one he wonders just how the head of the young knight will be able to uphold it for so long.
"...Preposterous. A king is a king because he rules others, not the other way around," Esmeral contests. No one pays him any mind though, their own fixation at the girl who has spoken these words with every bit of faith she holds. Delrin, who looks on with a light of impression in his eyes, changed with sincere anger at the noble.
"That may be, but if a king does not care for his people, then he shouldn't deserve to rule over them."
"Enough of this. I'm growing very impatient now. You are wasting the Inquisition's time, and my time as well!"
Another exasperated sigh, Delrin gestures to the main building, "The Lord-Seeker waits for you both."
"...That was quite powerful, Arturia." Cassandra offers to the now gulm knight as they follow the templar.
"I'll say. And that's a new one too. A king serving his people - kind of like Andraste, ain't it?" Sera throws in.
"There's a difference between being selfless, and not looking out for yourself," Vivienne argues. "And not everyone would appreciate that gesture. Do take care to remember that."
"...I already am," Arturia answers quietly, almost too quietly "Even then, I don't think I would have chosen anything else."
The commander's eyes remained curiously on the girl in yellow rain coat as they approach the main building. Cullen can only wonder what she means by that.
"-It's completely ridiculous! The word of a ruler is law! The people should bow their heads and serve their kings and queens as it is the way it is and must be."
"But if a king does not show love for his people, than he is no better than a tyrant and should not be followed."
"Aren't you templars fighting against the mages because they have been unruly? You should know exactly what I'm talking about!"
"That doesn't change the fact that the weight of the people's voices should be heeded-!"
A groaning sigh as Cullen rubs half of his face while the noble and templar go on with their spat based from Arturia's voiced beliefs in the room where they are to meet and negotiate with Lord Seeker Lucius. The noble seeing the wrongness of it, and the templar debating otherwise. The audacity of it all though is that they aren't even inviting Arturia to partake in their little squabble, as Arturia simply stands aside and stares ahead, not even moved by her views being picked apart by the noble. Either she has quite the cool head or she is positively seething on the inside as they wait for the current leader of the Templar Order.
"Aren't you going to say somethin?" Cullen overhears Sera asking their Hearld and looks over with interest.
Arturia shrugs, "It's best that I don't divulge into it. Again."
"Sounds exhausting."
"More antagonizing really. It didn't end well last time I had this argument either, hence why I would rather not be reminded of it."
Cullen lets out a little sigh as he basically resigns himself into sleeping against his hand until the feuding men before them ceased. This is particularly why he doesn't like dealing with nobles.
"-and with no people, you have no ruler!" Delrin prepares to add more to that, but stops midway. Cullen lowers his hand as he notes Arturia's steel armor clinking as she stood upright, and he looks up.
Three people steps down the stairs, garnering heavy armor from head to toe. "Knight-Captain?" Delrin speaks in surprise at the newcomer's appearence.
"I don't see Lucius..." Cassandra observes, her entire body tensing and completely on edge.
Out of instinct, Cullen's arm then drops to his side, frowning at the sight before them all.
"You were expecting the Lord Seeker?" The Knight-Captain questions sarcastically, walking towards the table, greeting all with a crude tone of no inch of respect. "Well, unfortunately for all of you, he sent me here to die in his place."
Confused looks are exchanged between Delrin, Cullen, and Cassandra. Vivienne and Sera are focused on picking out the other templars appearing in the room from upstairs. Arturia remains steadfast, glaring at the soldiers before them.
Esmeral does not question the strange phrase or dangerous aura of the Knight-Captain, as he confidently walks to the captain's side. "Knight-Captain. Lord Esmeral Abernache, honored," he bows in greeting and respect of a higher authority. "It is not unlike the second dispersal of a reclaimed Dales. No doubt ranks put you above such things - a pity more people don't understand that."
He sends a sneering look towards Delrin, but then, laughter slowly echoes throughout the room. The source of it coming from the one who stands at the near center of it, the Knight-Captain grinning savagely behind his helmet.
"This is the grand alliance the Inquisition offers?" The Knight-Captain states mockingly, utterly unimpressed by the presence of their noble representative.
Cullen takes one look at the Knight-Captain, peering through the openings of his helmet. A shock runs through his system like a cold shower as he caught sight of the Knight-Captain's eyes, unhealthily red and the skin unnaturally pink. "He's been abusing Red Lyrium."
Arturia looks to Cullen with questioning worry, but he does not match her gaze, eyes instead staring ahead as he slowly draws out the handle of his sword.
"You may want to look around." Vivienne warns them all with staff in hand as more and more templars began to appear with reddened, carved flesh, greatly contrasting those who are already in the room and looked better in comparison, that group simply looking around confused.
Knight-Captain Denim leisurely crosses his arms behind his back, "The Lord-Seeker had a plan, but the Herald ruined it by arriving here with purpose. It shows too much dissent."
Cassandra reaches for her sword as sudden muffled shouting is heard beyond the walls of this room. Sera already equipping her bow and arrow, looking up towards the wooden railings where other archers show themselves.
"Knight-Captain," Delrin hears the sounds of the war cry, eyeing the Red Templars appearing, and approaches his officer baffled, "I must know what's going on!"
The Knight Captain holds a cold disappointment as he regards Delrin, "You were all supposed to be changed-!"
"They're all under Red Lyrium influence." Cullen gravely states the appearing Red Templars. A heartache and rushing adrenaline spiking up his immediate guard. The sole noble in the room begins to retreat in fear at the sight of the deranged-looking Templars, red veins sprawling their faces that exposed bits of meat underneath.
Arturia, without another word, clutches the handle of her Excalibur and draws it in front of herself, pointing the holy blade down as she eyed their surroundings.
"-Now we must purged the questioning knights!"
An arrow is shot and stabs into the head of Lord Esmeral, blades are drawn from the Red Templars coming from the side, ready to strike the startled Templars. Cullen's warning came, but it was too late as arrows from the wooden railings started firing.
"Mana. Burst!"
A wave of magical energy spreads out, knocking Red Templars off their feet and arrows deflected by the powerful gust as the unsuspecting Templars turn to see what nearly became of their own lives. The sword Arturia holds is shrouded in magicial wind, her hands bearing the holy blade with purpose. The Red Templars appearing from the railings are also deflected by the joined efforts of Vivienne and Sera, sparing the lucid templar's lives as well.
Delrin backs away, pulling out his sword in awe at the power of Arturia and in dismay at those in fellow armors now turned against them, "Maker's Breath!"
The Knight-Captain vehement, bloody stare daggered at the sight of the knight in blue, her emerald eyes taking up on his challenge. "You should have never been here. The Elder One is coming! No one will leave Therinfal without being stained in red!"
Madness has taken over this place. It is like walking into a nightmare for the former member of this Order.
They defeated the Red Templars, the Knight-Captain knocked unconscious by Barris, and they roped the deranged officer in restraints to prevent any further attempted attacks.
"We couldn't have possibly known," Cullen mutters under his breath, his sword painfully stained by the blood of corrupt templars. "This meeting, it was a trap!"
"The audacity to openly kill a noble. Clearly, something has overtaken the Order," Vivienne comments airily, diligently wiping the sweat and blood of her enemies off of her face. "This Elder One they spoke of. Are they a templar?"
Barris, shaken at his core though trying to keep himself steady and strong, slowly shakes his head, "I've never heard of them until the Knight-Captain just said it. I would question the Lord Seeker about it though."
From aside, the Templars who managed to survive the ambush, all heaving and trying to collect their breaths as they coped with horror that they have just murdered members of their own - brothers and sisters known for years now dead by their own hands.
Cullen looks to them in great pity, moving the look towards a disturbed Ser Barris, "If all that shouting is the "purge" happening, you need to have your men out to cease it. Your Knight-Captain and the Lord Seeker have betrayed the Order. They have betrayed what the Templars stand for, and who knows what else their...Red Templars would do if they leave Therinfal."
A determined nod comes painfully slow from Delrin, the dark skinned templar forcing himself to steady as he looks towards the surviving - and sane - members of his order. "Templars. What we're all dealing with here is an attack on all of us. Not mages, but our own brethren."
He regards the poisoned red looks of the defeated Red Templars with pain, closing his eyes briefly as he controlled his emotions, "We must put them out of their misery. It is our duty to end their suffering."
Cullen looks around the room as Sera shuffles through the equipment of the deceased Templars, "Do you really have to salvage whatever's on them? You can at least show some courtesy." Cullen admonishes with disdain at her disrespect and skewed priorities.
"Don't need to be snappy with me- aha! Here it is!" The elven rogue shows a ring of keys from the pocket of one of their dead foes. "I'd bet these will lead us to plenty of rooms, we might even find the Lord Seeker in one of them!"
"Then let us push on." Cassandra snarls, her tone cold and her face full of righteous anger, "Lucius has a lot to answer for this." Not even granting the man in discussed the courtesy of his own title.
"I'm coming with you," Delrin steely declares, holding up his sword and shield, "I know where the Lord Seeker's chambers are. I can lead you."
Cullen nods in appreciation before turning to their last, and most prominent member of their group. He finds her standing by the stairs, looking down at the bodies of the dead Red Templars, her expression unknown as she is facing away from them.
"Herald?" The commander approaches her, and she looks at him. She still holds a stone cold face, her left cheek stained with the blood of a Red Templar like everyone else, as well her armor and dress.
"Are you alright?" Cullen asks carefully. The girl looks back to the deceased figures of the Red Templars.
"...I should ask you the same question," The knight diverts.
Cullen cannot put up a proper front for the situation at hand, so he settles for an expression that is nothing but grim, "We'll talk about it when we get out of this."
She accepts this answer with a slow nod, her hand clenching the handle of her sword tightly, the distinct shakiness of it that takes Cullen by surprise.
"...Am I correct to assume that the Lord Seeker, the Knight-Captain, and perhaps other contributors of higher authority, have fed their own men with Red Lyrium beyond what is acceptable?"
"It seems to be the case," Cullen answers. The knight lowers her head, her bangs hiding her eyes, and then turns for the stairs.
"Let's go. I wish to find Lucius before he should have a chance to escape. Though truthfully..."
She starts up the stairs, her companions following behind.
"I don't believe I'll have enough self-control to not strike him down the moment I see him, before he should tell us more about this so-called Elder One."
The vocal expression of rage is evident to all due to her tone. The sight of their men being abused by a substance granted by their superior officers. The actions to turn their men into the uncontrollable monsters they have become, with ripped flesh and and blood fingers that existed before their blades even touched them...
Cullen should know better than to encourage that behavior in a teenager, but he cannot lie to himself either, "Truthfully, I will be having that internal battle as well."
He shall hope they both have the restraint to bring the Lord Seeker to justice.
"Wha...What are these things?"
The Red Jenny Agent asks in horror at the sight before the group. Looking to a pile of mass flesh that looks to have been human once upon a time. And not just one, but several leading down the halls.
"Templars...!" Cassandra breathes out in equal distress.
"That's shite!"
The Seeker can only shake her head. "I know." But the evident armor and symbol the corpses wear is undeniable. Cullen feels his knuckles turn white as he was on the brink of breaking the handle of his sword.
He resumes his pace with the others until they reach the outside. Continuous war cries bellows throughout the hold, fights between Templars and their Red counterparts everywhere. They did what they can to end the violence, cutting down the distinguished red templars and defending the sane ones.
"Prepare them! Guide them to me!" A haunting, terrible voice rings out the entire hold, as more and more Red Templars emerge from the buildings.
"What the what?!" Sera releases an arrow out of fright, hitting the neck of a near by enemy.
"Was that...the Lord Seeker?" Delrin asks as he cuts down another Red Templar.
"That was not the voice of a sane man," Vivienne notes, delivering another barrage of ice and lightning magic.
"All I hear is fighting!" Sera yells as she sends out another heap of distractions. Fire crackers and sneezing powder, but the Red Templars simply rammed right through, "Argh! They're not even dancing or sneezing! They don't care!"
"Red Lyrium makes sure they never do," Cullen gravely states from pure experience, this fighting pattern too reminiscent of his former Knight-Commander's last battle for his liking, "Forget trying to weaken them! You have to strike them down when they're most careless!"
To say it is an awful battle would be massively underrating the current state of affairs. Templars drugged to pure raw strength, endurance, and stamina. It is walking through a personal hell for Cullen. Frankly, most of the Inquisition members can hardly be a match against such crazed groups if not for their individual skills and experiences, including Arturia who brings down most of the Red Templars her way with a combination of duel-wielding sword and staff.
Vivienne, compared to the others, is having the most trouble. As she is a mage the templars are trained to deal with, especially when using Red Lyrium as support. However, she is a mage that is not possessed by a demon as that is what these templars are knowm best to handle against, nor was she merely limited by her own power, which is what allows her to more than take these foes. Her cool cunning and in check sanity gives her an advantage over these corrupt templars that are taken out by her arcane might.
Sera is agile and quick enough to avoid any direct mauling of swords by the Red Templars, taking to the walls and climbing to the roofs where she uses it as her vantage point, then runs to hide behind craters when arrows starts flying her way.
Cassandra, together with Cullen's efforts, take down each Red Templar one by one in a nearly synchronized efforts, having a familiarity to the other's form of combat. They deal with the Red Templars and proceeds forward, as the loud, inhuman voice of the Lord Seeker rings in the air.
"I would know you. You will be so much more! Show me what you are."
"What the tick is this crazy voice talking about? He's not making any sense and it's seriously giving me the creeps!" Sera shouts in uncontained fright, pushing through the field.
Soon enough, they find more surviving of still sane and uncorrupt templars, and more evidence of those that have just lost it.
Cullen's heart continues to beat with sorrow and rage, as he is almost certain that the Knight-Captain Delrin is feeling the same. This entire madness, this anarchy. Why?! What is the purpose of it all?!
"Here it is! This is the Lord Seeker's office." Delrin announces as they approach a door, "Everyone, be on your guard."
"Sera," Arturia looks aside to the elf agent, and she nods back in understanding. Walking towards the door and crouching, she lock picks through the keyhole until a click is heard, and she pushes into the room.
They enter the office of the Lord Seeker, and the first sight that greets them is a body, sitting at a chair with pale skin that was once reddened. A templar so it would look by the sight of his uniform. Cullen and Delrin together gazes at the corpse that seemed to have been dead a short-time ago, and terrified recognition strikes them both.
"Knight-Vigilant...Trentwatch?" Cullen utters in horror, staring in pure disbelief at the familiar face of the templar.
"Trentwatch? Leader of the Templar Order?" Arturia asks out of surprise and great concern, "Josephine told me he was among those who attended the Conclave for the negotiations, and was reported to have been killed in the explosion."
"They never found the body," Cassandra corrects pointedly, sickened eyes gawking at the dead leader before them, "There were so many that were burnt beyond recognition. He was on the list of attendees, and he was never heard from again after the Conclave's destruction. Naturally, it would have been assumed..."
"The Lord Seeker told us he died at the Conclave," Delrin whispers, completely baffled and his whole world seemingly crumbling apart.
Cassandra's grits her teeth, eyes now narrowed as she hisses out venomously, "The Lord-Seeker lied. He lied to all of us. He is no longer the man I once knew. Maker help us all..."
"Was the Knight-Captain hiding the body for the Lord-Seeker? Did he kill the man himself?" Delrin clearly does not know what to think, trying to keep his head together as he rubs it, "Maker...what's happening to the Order?"
The group approaches the table across the dead body where a single, blood-stained letter is left. Arturia picks up the letter, reading it quickly.
Delrin approached her side, "What does it say?"
"A letter for the Knight-Vigilant. By Lord-Seeker Lucius..." Arturia frowns deeply, offering the letter to Cullen, which he accepts and carefully takes, "It seems that the Knight-Vigilant did reach out, but the Lord-Seeker convinced him to come at an absolute discretion. It would appear that Lucius found it more convenient if the Knight-Vigilant had been dead so that he could be free to do as he pleased."
To have murdered the Leader of the Templars. The letter nearly crumples under Cullen's grip as rage overtakes him, but a deep breath allows escape for some of that anger. "Well, this is more than enough damning evidence of the Lord-Seeker's guilt. Lets find anymore clues as to where he could have run off-"
"Um...guys?" Sera's wary tone comes across from outside the door, "I think I may have found who we're looking for..."
They rush to her location at once, following Sera as she points towards the keep, leading up to it by a long flight of stairs. By the doors of the keep, a lone man stands there.
"Lucius!" Cassandra's grips her sword and starts her march. Cullen quickly grabs her by the shoulder.
"I know how you feel. Believe me." The commander sympathizes, "But he deserves to face judgment for what he's done."
"He is right," Delrin agrees resolutely, anger and pain of betrayal in his gaze, "The Lord Seeker must pay for his crimes."
"I agree as well," Arturia declares, glaring up at the keep, "A man who turned his own men into piles of flesh or a loss of who they are as people. To betray his own leader, I cannot forgive such a monster. But it would be too easy for him if he were to die now, he shall see his punishment yet."
"I dunno Turi, maybe we shouldn't give him the chance..." Sera disagrees worriedly.
"If he has information about this Elder One, this someone they are following, he may know what this mysterious figure's next plan might be," Vivienne advises, "We can't let that be lost, and I'm only thinking pragmatically. For all that he's done, he should be executed for them, but lets think with our heads first."
"Then it's settled." With that, the young Herald takes the front. "If he does anything in retaliation, then do not hesitate." They unanimously follow her lead.
Walking up the many steps uneasily, they reach the top, the back of the Lord Seeker only seen as he stood in front of the large double doors.
"Lord Seeker Lucius, you owe us a great deal of explanations," Arturia demands darkly.
The Lord-Seeker says nothing. Cullen tightens his jaw.
"Is this the protection you said you would bring?" Cassandra calls out with accusatory worthy of any judge. "Do you still believe you deserve the respect you claim?"
"...Maybe?"
They approach him cautiously, weapons drawn, Sera holding her bow and arrow, ready to fire at the slightest twitch; Vivienne ready to cast her ice magic to freeze the Lord Seeker solid in capture. The four warriors and their swords drew closer to the traitor templar.
"Or maybe, I was just waiting for a bigger fish to catch."
He spins around, Vivienne and Sera ready to release their attacks, but something long and pale smacks against Cullen, Delrin, and Cassandra, pushing them towards the stairs and knocking both the archer and mage upon the steps. Cullen tries to recover as fast as he could, looking up to their attacker.
Inhuman pale fingers wraps around the hands of the grunting and struggling Arturia, threatening to break and preventing her swinging her weapons, extending from the shoulders of the deranged smiling Lord Seeker. The commander's eyes widens in horror.
"At last!" The monster that wears the face of a templar, and with all its might, begins to pull her in.
"NO!" Cullen desperately staggers to climb back up the steps as he hears the struggling Cassandra pushing herself off from a panicking-cursing Sera. "Arturia!"
It all happens so fast. Cullen lunges for the young Herald, as a bright green light blinds all in the area.
A quick update? THIS STORY?!
It truly is 2020...
And also in celebration for our 1000 follows! Oh how I love you readers. :D
Anywho, decided to do a Cullen POV for practically the whole chap since the story barely had him featured or of importance, so having the first half of "Champions of the Just" from his POV seemed like a bit a good twist and turn from canon while making sense. Hope its been pulled off well enough! We will now return to our regularly slow-update scheduled program. Thank you for reading!
