[Closed] I'm only one call away

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington and Alayre Sauveterre
WHAT: Praying before the Prophet
WHEN: During Godless 9:42
WHERE: The small temple of Andraste, off the garden
NOTES: Templars and faith

Norrington watched with silent dismay as the crystal filled with more and more responses to Alayre's outburst, and his jaw tightened more and more. He started to look to the door to the garden more often, green eyes filled with worry. He knew none here would raise a hand to Alayre, that Beleth and Nerva would be there to at least calm him down. That Cade could be there to protect him -- if such a thing was necessary.

Although all things considered, perhaps it would be best to keep this just to Alayre and James.

Or at least, as soon as he arrived.

Staring at the door accomplished nothing. Worry accomplished nothing. He came here for Alayre, and with Alayre in mind, he rose and opened the door to the small altar of Andraste, reaching her hands up to the heavens. He looked up at her, before he knelt before the altar and took a candle from his cloak. He lit it with one of the hundreds of candles there, and then went to one knee.

The words came easy, as they always had. A balm in the long and tiring hours.

"here was no word
For heaven or for earth, for sea or sky.
All that existed was silence.
Then the Voice of the Maker rang out,
The first Word,
And His Word became all that might be:
Dream and idea, hope and fear,
Endless possibilities.
And from it made his firstborn.
And he said to them:
"In My image I forge you,
To you I give dominion
Over all that exists.
By your will
May all things be done."

Comments

[equanimiti]

A slight huff leaves Alayre as he ponders more about this possible idea. He's hesitant to believe that the other races will show any interest in their Order but he's willing to try of. "Change often comes in small ripples instead of large waves but too long the Order has avoided change. We must adapt somehow. Therefore, I shall agree to this notion." Alayre states with a nod. It's oddly refreshing to hear such unique and outlandish ideas come from James. Usually it's Alayre often talking off Detlef about some of his ambitious ideas and projects. Alayre is such a dreamer sometimes.

"Though, if we embark upon this righteous path to connect with those of various races--does this mean we limit ourselves from the Chantry?" He asks in mild wonder. "Remember, brother, the Chantry still have full control of our lyrium supplies. They use it as a means to keep us tethered to their will much like dogs to meat." Alayre explains with a frown.

"If we distant ourselves from the Chantry, we best become our own supplier of lyrium."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington pauses for a moment, before a look comes over his face. A thoughtful one, at that, before his lips twitch up at the corners. "Well, as I have heard a very wise lady say - a leash pulls two ways. After all, what is the one thing the Chantry wants now, more than anything?"

He gestured around to Skyhold. "They want some sort of voice here, do they not? To stop us is to stop their voice - Mother Giselle and the other sisters are firm that they are the Chantry, and there isn't a single Sister who has been able to deny them, nor a single Cleric."

[equanimiti]

"Then we hold the means to bring the Chantry down from their lofty pedestal." Alayre follows up with a slight smirk. "Interesting. I believe there's hope yet. Our ambitious won't be easily subjugated as long as the Chantry bids for Skyhold." He seems rather pleased with all this now. Very pleased.

"Then we can bring change to the Order as we see fit. This will help us propell our numbers and sway public opinion to our favor."

[judgemewhole]

"Precisely so. It is time for the Chantry to work with us, instead of ordering us. In fact, with offering these changes, I think we can step back, and allow the Chantry to learn ... acceptance, under the Maker's Grace." He thought about it. "And more importantly - we are in the same fortress of the Left and the Right Hand of the Divine. If we tell them of our plans - they are the ones who will be supporting the new Divine."

He gave his brother a long, even look. "That Divine ... could be the key to giving freedom not only to the mages, but to us as well."

[equanimiti]

"That Divine will be the key to granting us our freedom alongside the mages." Alayre repeats with strong conviction. "Thedas is constantly changing and evolving. It's only a matter of time the Chantry will have to evolve as well or get crushed beneath Time's heel." He's absolutely confident about that and he'll dare the Chantry to try and stop this progress.

"I dream of a day when the mages govern themselves and we're nothing more than friendly allies who assist their endeavors. I don't want to rule over them or be a source of fear and intimidation. Enough is enough." Alayre honestly hopes he lives long enough for such a day.

"Detlef, the healer who saved me from the brink of death, has never known freedom and he's not alone." The slight chill in the air finally catches Alayre's attention and he draws in his cloak tighter. "I want him and others like him to know what freedom tastes like before I die. If I can somehow help in this process, then I'll do it." A somewhat morose smile lingers upon his weathered face now.

"I just want all of this needless suffering to end and I want our brothers to know freedom too. I have many 'wants', I know but I believe I 'need' this."

[judgemewhole]

"And at this point, the Chantry is going to need to rethink it's policies or find itself right where it began - in the midst of a war with another Divine blown to high hell by extremists." Was Norrington's firm reply.


He sighed softly, "As would it -- but it is going to take a great deal of time to get us there. Right now I would be pleased if the one third of the Inquisition who despises us doesn't look like they are going to murder us in his sleep."

A blink at that, before he looks solemn, "That would be ... something to see. As long as they are taking the proper precautions." Freedom wasn't just being free. There were responsibilities for that.

"We have many wants, and many needs. We might want to focus on what we can do now, and make sure the rest are long term goals."

[equanimiti]

"If the Chantry ends up in such a way, that's they're own fault for refusing to adapt."

A slight sigh leaves Alayre. "Yes, yes. I'm certainly getting ahead of myself here." He admits honestly. "Though, someday we'll reach those goals but not on this day." Another chilly gust of wind blows past and Alayre makes a frown. "This has been a long winter. I doubt spring shall cone early this year. It's far too cold."

He glances towards the frozen horizon briefly before turning to James with a look of concern in his grey gaze. "Shall you speak with the advisors soon? I can tell the Seeker is quite crossed with me and for good reason." Alayre is dreading the conversations that will come with any of the advisors, especially with Pentaghast.

[judgemewhole]

"Well, I certainly can't argue with that."

He gave his friend a warm smile, before he patted him on the shoulder. "Not today -- but some day. We all have a long road to travel. Perhaps we will get to it sooner, through the Inquisition." He sighed as he pulled his own cloak closer. "I dread to think of those back in the Emprise du Lion tonight."

He nodded his head soberly, "I will write them a letter, before I head out again. I must go to Montemps immediately - a nobleman has sent me a letter concerning some of his vassals, and possible blood magic."

[judgemewhole]

"Perhaps so. Perhaps not. That is not for us to decide, brother." He looked to the sky, with a sigh. "A higher power, as always, guides us. We must trust in the Maker to know we are on the right path. Surely He will show us otherwise if that is the case."

He arched an eyebrow, before stating dryly, "Just a bit." He glanced off across the fields, and nodded. "Far too cold. The frost will bite deep."

He looked back to Alayre, "Only if they ask to speak to me. Cullen asked me to fix this - so I shall. I'll speak to the other Knight Commanders as well."