As Fae had predicted, although she didn't imagine it in such a literal sense, all eyes were on the Herald from the moment she stepped foot outside the safety of her cabin. Ellethir stood several inches taller than Fae; the latter barely reached the Herald's shoulder-height. Not that anybody would have noticed, because the Herald of Andraste was in their midst. Whispers abounded as Fae led her towards the Chantry, many of which were directed reverently towards her.
"That's her. That's the Herald of Andraste."
"They say Andraste Herself was watching over her as she left the Fade."
"Hail, Herald of Andraste."
"I heard she was supposed to close the Breach entirely."
"It's more than anyone else has done."
"Why did the Seeker have her in chains?"
"It's complicated."
"Maker go with you, Herald."
"Chancellor Roderick says the Chantry wants nothing to do with us."
"That isn't for Chancellor Roderick to decide, Sister."
Ellethir could barely stand it; she hoped no one noticed her clenching and unclenching her fists in worry. She was grateful when Faellathi ushered her through the colossal chantry doors, and for a few moments, there was a brief, quiet respite as they crossed the main chambers. It did not last long; the muffled sound of fierce arguing filtered through the door they were headed towards. Faellathi held up a hand to halt them, waiting for a break in the conversation to make their entrance.
"Have you gone completely mad?" said an exasperated voice, which Ellethir recognised as Chancellor Roderick's. "She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately, to be tried by whomever becomes Divine!"
"I do not believe she is guilty," a female voice with a strong Nevarran accent responded decisively.
"The elf failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky. For all you know, she intended it this way." Beside Ellethir, Faellathi rolled her eyes.
"I do not believe that."
"That is not for you to decide. Your duty is to serve the Chantry—"
"My duty is to serve the principles upon which the Chantry was founded, Chancellor. As is yours."
There was silence for a moment, and Faellathi used that pause to open the door for Ellethir, announcing their arrival.
"Chain her!" Chancellor Roderick said immediately. "I want her prepared for travel to the capital for trial."
"Disregard that, and leave us," Seeker Cassandra followed up right afterwards, with Leliana standing sentinel by her side. Fortunately, the guards followed the Seeker's order, and not the Chancellor's.
"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker," Chancellor Roderick warned.
"The Breach is stable but it is still a threat, I will not ignore it," the Nevarran replied hotly.
"I did everything I could to close the Breach," Ellethir stepped forward, summoning her courage. "It almost killed me."
"Yet, you live. A convenient result insofar as you're concerned," the Chancellor sneered.
"Have a care, Chancellor," the Seeker warned through gritted teeth. "The Breach is not the only threat we face."
"Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave, someone the Most Holy did not expect," Leliana explained. "Perhaps they died with the others- or have allies who yet live," she stared pointedly.
"I am a suspect?!" Chancellor Roderick blustered.
"You. And many others."
"But not the prisoner?"
"I heard the voices in the temple," Cassandra intervened. "The Divine called to her for help."
"So her survival, that thing on her hand- all a coincidence?"
"Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour."
Ellethir stared at her quizzically. "You realise I'm an elf? A Dalish elf?"
"I have not forgotten. Not matter what you are or what you believe, you are exactly what we needed, when we needed it," Cassandra affirmed.
"The Breach remains," Leliana added. "And your mark is still our only hope of closing it."
"This is not for you to decide!" Chancellor Roderick repeated.
Cassandra suddenly slammed a book down on the table in front of them. "You know what this is, Chancellor? A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn. We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval."
Chancellor Roderick, apparently rendered speechless, stalked out of the room, pushing past Fae and slamming the door behind him.
Leliana paid him no mind, skimming her hand lightly over the heavy tome lying on the table. "This is the Divine's directive: Rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos. We aren't ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now no chantry support," she mused.
"We have no choice: we must act now," Cassandra said firmly. "With you at our side," she looked straight into Ellethir's eyes.
Ellethir shrank back a little despite herself. "Are you trying to start some kind of holy war?"
"We are already at war. You are already involved. Its mark is already upon you."
"Literally," Faellathi muttered behind Ellethir, having watched the exchange in relative silence. She leaned back against the wall with her arms crossed, with the appearance of a sulking teenager forced to be present while their parents argued.
"As to whether the war is holy, that depends on what we discover," Cassandra continued.
Her answer did not exactly soothe Ellethir's nerves. "Well, what exactly was the 'inquisition of old'?"
"It preceded the Chantry," Leliana explained. "People who banded together to restore order in a world gone mad."
"After," Cassandra continued, "They laid down their banner and formed the Templar Order."
"Hang on, let me get this right," Faellathi interrupted, shooting a glare at Leliana. "You brought me here to help you recreate a movement that brought the templars into existence? You do realise you have two mages standing before you? Is Chancellor Roderick right in thinking you've gone mad?"
"The templars have lost their way," Cassandra admitted. "But we need those who can do what must be done, united under a single banner once more."
Ellethir shook her head, still confused. "But aren't you still part of the chantry?"
Cassandra snorted. "Is that what you see?"
"If the armour fits," Faellathi snarked.
"The Chantry will take time to find a new Divine, and then it will wait for her direction. But we cannot wait. So many grand clerics died at the conclave…no, we are on our own. Perhaps forever."
Ellethir considered, biting her lip nervously. "Then, if you're truly trying to help, by restoring order…"
"That is the plan," Leliana confirmed.
"Help us fix this, before it's too late?" Cassandra held out her hand.
Ellethir considered for a moment longer, then shook it. "Let's do it. Where do we begin?"
Cassandra smiled grimly. "We will summon a small council meeting shortly, and discuss where to go from here. In the meantime, we will put up banners, as well as the Inquisition's first official declaration; that by the will of Divine Justinia, the Inquisition is now reborn."