faderift | the days that bind us

Once the battle is over, Inessa is nearly limp with relief. It's been an exhausting several weeks, but at least now there's an end in sight. Well, there will be as soon as she finds something. After healing any injuries that need immediate attention, the young Warden and her canine companion slip away from the aftermath. It only takes a little questioning to learn about the back rooms and what lies within.

Inessa can be found there, searching quietly (as Garahel sniffs around and perks up when anyone approaches) and unceasingly until she finds the vials containing the blood of mages from Kinloch Hold. Some of the labels she doesn't recognize (especially the faded ones), but it isn't long before she finds her own. Drawing in a deep breath, she lifts her vial out of the crate, cradling it in the palm of her hand.

Such a small thing, rather plain and unremarkable...and yet it had caused so much suffering. Weeks of torment, paranoia and panic, all because of blood taken when before she was five years old. It was only to be used if she had gone apostate, something she had never considered herself...but evidently someone had. That she had become a Grey Warden didn't seem to matter.

She should cast it on the ground, be done with it and never look back. She should, and yet she remains standing there, staring at it with darkened eyes.

"Smash it."

There's cold certainty in his voice as he goes through another crate, pulling out and deliberately dropping the vials he finds that warm to the touch. They are not dogs to be leashed. They are people. And he will crush what has to be crushed to set them free.

"I've no idea what you're waiting for."

There's a sudden jerk of her head upon hearing Anders' voice, but she relaxes after a moment. Her voice is quiet but calm, no longer on edge the way it has been for weeks. "...I will. I plan to, but I had to look upon it one last time. And I want Ciri to be present before I do."

Ciri more than anyone has witnessed its effect on her, been a part of that suffering when the attacks affected more than just herself. It's only fair...and besides, she could use that moral support.

Her gaze shifts to the crate he's inspecting, snapping out of her singular focus for the moment. "If any of the vials belong to those among us here, wait. They might want the satisfaction of destroying their own phylacteries."

He studies her for a moment before nodding. Waiting for Ciri makes some sense. She'd been there for Inessa through a lot, after all. His concern is that some mages might not be ready to let go of their leashes and will wind up hurt again.

Anders goes back to systematically smashing vials with another nod. "I know. And those in Kirkwall still deserve a chance to destroy their own. If they will." Will Julius? Anders hopes he will, but isn't going to count on it. His old friend may not want the loosening and Anders hurts for him.

"For the rest, I'm not about to trust anyone with them. Maybe we could find someone trustworthy to get phylacteries to their owners, but what if something happens to that trusted person? It's too big a vulnerability."

They are only saving the phylacteries with owners in Kirkwall if he has anything to say about it.

Inessa's fingers wrap around her phylactery, and she slips it into her satchel. What she plans to do with it won't wait too long, but she can put it off long enough to assist Anders. Her feelings about the Circle may not always align with his, but especially after what they've been through, she couldn't agree more on the subject of phylacteries.

"Far too big, yes. The potential for exploitation isn't worth the risk, and for all we know, there are other groups of the same mind...or more branches of this one." Her lips form a thin line at that, absently patting Garahel's head as he lets out a low growl at the notion. "...but at least for us, this particular nightmare is over. It's a little difficult to process after so long, isn't it? I was beginning to think this would have no end."

"Stop."

Nate scrambles to cover the latest opened crate with a lid.

"Please don't get the Wardens in trouble with the Inquisition. Not to mention spilled blood might still be useful to some. If they are to be destroyed, best wait till it can be done safely and with the Inquisition's permission."

He picks up the box from Kinloch Hold and sets it on top of the last one. He glances about the room, looking to see if anyone is watching as he scans the phylacteries in the box, taking his time picking up a lid. As his hand replaces the lid, it palms one of the vials. His expression does not change.

"The..." He stares at Nate, taken aback and trying to figure out what's even going on as the crate is closed in front of him.

"With the, the... They..." Is the nightmare over? Anders looks between Inessa and Nate, at a loss. "There's no end for some if these go back. The Wardens..." Need the Inquisition right now. So the mages have to wait, again, for political reasons?

"What is the point if I can't even..." The point is he's alive. He'd be dead and not able to help anything anyway if not for the Wardens and the fight leaves him as he looks away, hurt and upset. Even with the Circles broken and the Templars a mess and the Chantry headless the mages can't break fully free. The only bit of hope in any of this is that while he hasn't found his vial, Nate's taken one from the Kinloch box. With Inessa's in her possession that means it has to be his in Nate's.

Edited 2018-02-27 19:43 (UTC)

Nathaniel's sudden entrance has Inessa straightening and stepping away from the crate, obedient though her expression is disappointed. This would have been cathartic for both herself and Anders, and spared others the possibility of further torment. But mention of spilled blood still having use gives her pause. It might be true, for all she knows, even if they try to get rid of the evidence. At this point, caution still runs deep.

"...understood." She sighs, glad she had at least taken her own vial when she did. Its end will be at a place and time of her choosing, with Ciri and Garahel at her side.

Her gaze is sympathetic as she shifts her gaze over to Anders. "I know, I don't want anyone to endure what we just did, either. We can still advocate for their destruction back in Kirkwall." After the damage done Inquisition members and the Gallows itself, she would like to think that the higher-ups would see the merit in ridding all of such potential for abuse. "The point is that we're still here, unharmed. We have our lives back. You can resume your work, without threat of being attacked at any time or having those attacks harm others in the way. That's not nothing."

"We are bringing them back, and the mages will decide what to do with them," Nathaniel says as two sailors enter to grab crates and haul them back aboard ship. He steps back and takes Anders' hand, pressing the phylactery to his palm. "Let's let them do their work."

They both have so much more faith in the Inquisition than he does. It's not that much of a surprise, but he cannot bring himself to trust that the mages alone will get to decide. But the shape of what Nate is holding with him is enough reason to not draw attention to himself.

"We will advocate for it," he says quietly, holding Nate's hand with his gaze fixed on the crates that are being hauled away. "Because they deserve the peace of mind we can have. They deserve the chance to make lives for themselves without constantly looking over their shoulders."

His people are not free so long as there are phylacteries tracking them. And he will see his people free.

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circleprodigy - 2018-02-28 00:11 (UTC) - Expand

"If you don't destroy it, I will. But I'd prefer to let you do the final deed."

Kain approaches, slowly, weary from the battle, but glad that this is all at an end. The stress of the last few weeks has worn him down considerably, and it takes a supreme effort of will to hold it back, to pretend he's ok. He's taking care as he walks, slow so he hides any limping. Everything is the appearance of being totally fine. It has to be, it has to be.

"We're not going through this again, so the sooner it's taken care of, the better."

Garahel wags his tail at Kain and pads over to lick his hand as Inesa straightens and turns towards him. She's quite weary as well, from the toll this ordeal has taken on her in addition to the recent battle. But for the first time in a while, that smile isn't faint or forced but reaches her eyes. She heads over, slipping her free hand into one of his.

"Oh, I will. I just had to look upon it one last time. I don't know why, but...it doesn't matter. But I have a thought; we find Ciri and get a nice bonfire going and let the flames consume it. Then we'll celebrate my newfound freedom with wine...as much as we can find." Losing sobriety isn't something Inessa often recommends, but it's been a hellish several weeks. She's earned this.

Her smile softens. "Thank you...for being here, today and for the rest of it. I'm not certain my vanishing sanity would have lasted as long as it had, otherwise."

Kain pets Garahel eagerly, not wanting him to feel ignored or anything, as he’s had all his attention focused on Inessa, right now and just in general lately. He takes her hand silently, for a moment just letting out a long, draw out sigh of relief. The stress from all of this has taken its toll, and right now he’d love to go curl up in his cave, maybe hibernate like a bear. But there are things to take care of, first.

“Well, I guess it… represents your past in some way. I understand.” Still, he eyes it with much more dislike, the expression evident as he stares at it. He’d not really thought about it much… usually he just agrees with Inessa on mage matters, since she knows them better than him. But right here, right now, he is deeply hateful of the Circles for letting this happen. “But you’re right, there, burning it will mean true freedom. I think that’s a great idea.” The three of them can also get very drunk, which is… also needed.

“And… you’re welcome.” He gives Garahel one more pat, before moving to wrap her in a hug. “I’ll always be here. Whatever may happen. Always.” He’s not one to take such a promise lightly, either.

That hug is just what she needs after all this horror, and after a moment, she relaxes into his arms and slips her own around him. Garahel leans against them both, to further comfort his two-legged companions. "Thank you. Maker willing, this will be the only time a phylactery is involved. I will never let them take my blood again."

She's a Grey Warden now, outside the influence or the demands of the Circle of Magi. It's easier to reassure herself with that when the Circle is technically defunct, at least for now. A potential return shouldn't influence her in any way, but there's a small part of her that wonders about that, regardless.

Kain holds onto her desperately, not wanting to let go anytime soon. The last few weeks have tested him like he never has been before. He's caught almost unable to control his emotions for once, but he manages to hold it together, keep it all inside, for her sake. She needs him. That's all that matters right now, and he'll be there for her.

"Nor will I. If they dare... if anyone dares re-create such a thing, I will personally behead them." He's pretty adamant about that. Yes, he does trust her to fight her own battles, but they're in this together now. Her enemies are his, her struggles are his. He won't let anything like this happen again. He pauses a moment. He's not good with feelings or open-ness, it's just not his thing. But he's willing to try and do what he can for her. "If you... it there's anything else you need... if you need to talk about this... I'm here."

Kain beheading those responsible is an oddly comforting image, and she's absolutely fine with him holding onto her. Inessa's in no real hurry to move away, after all. She nods against his chest, sighing in relief as the sword that was hanging over her head is now gone. It's second nature to keep everything to herself, but how can she refuse that offer? Kain doesn't make that to just anyone, after all.

"Thank you, Kain. I can't say that won't be needed. At the moment, it all just feels surreal. Once it's finally destroyed, maybe it will sink in at last, and then...we'll see. As I said, that wine will probably come in handy."

Good, because he's in a mood to hold on and not let go, not anytime soon. He keeps her close, feeling more relief flooding in, sighing as he releases some of the tension that has built up all these weeks. He feels so weary now, but he's been in such an unsettled mindset lately. Nothing has made sense and not having an enemy to directly take on for much of it has been frustrating.

"The wine can most certainly be arranged for right away. As for the rest of it... take your time with that. It's not as if I'm going anywhere. I need you to know that... whatever may happen, I'm here. Always." He may not be the best at talking about his issues, himself, but he's much better at listening.

"...You will never hear me say this officially -- but I hope you destroyed it." James stated simply, as he came up behind her, Interceptor limping a little but otherwise fine as he wagged his stubby tail at Garahel. He is standing outside the room itself, though, not going in.

"When you are done, though, would you do me a favor? I ... need to bring back the phylacteries for those at the Ostwick Circle. Some are dead, others are in Orlais under Vivienne's protection, but as you know, we have a few in the Inquisition. I would like to bring those back to my family." Because, even Mal, was considered family.

Inessa straightens as Garahel licks his friend, turning around and nodding to him. "Of course. They should decide what is to be done with their own phylacteries...though for safety's sake, I would recommend destruction. This could happen again, with another group of like mind." It's gruesome to think about, but if one batch of people decided it must be done, why would there not be another to take up the banner?

"...and I plan to destroy mine, yes. A nice, big bonfire and plenty of wine, and tossing the accursed vial atop it. That seems a fitting end to the horror of the past several weeks."

"That is up to them. I know that Sam will destroy his - I do not know about Carolus or Mal. They ... lean to Circles." James sighed, as he looked around. "I am not sure what else I can do, to make the Templar Order better, when I keep running into things like this. It is going to take ... longer than I am alive, to save us."

"Even with Circle leanings, the potential for abuse as things stand now is very high. They were stolen once; they could be stolen again." Inessa just can't see any reason that would make keeping the phylacteries worth the risk, after the repeated assault she's endured. Her hand pauses at a crate, checking the vials, though she doesn't stop the conversation.

"It probably will, yes. Don't take that too much to heart, James. Templars, Seekers, Circles, all those institutions had been in place for many ages; reforming any of them will be lengthy task. That said, you still have the power to see how that happens. If your influence can prevent bloodthirsty thugs such as these from shaping policy, it's a significant step."

"Well, then we will have to stop them again. Through whatever means necessary." James's voice is quiet, and cold, and deadly serious. He is not going to put up with this sort of brutality anymore. Not from anyone wearing a Templar uniform.

He exhaled, slowly. "I am not sure what place I will have in the new Chantry, but I will do my utmost to bring about the change that is best for us. We cannot ...we cannot go back to this. It's a never ending war, Inessa."

"It's a never-ending because the underlying wounds remain unhealed. Mages and templars work together now because of the Breach and all that followed, not because there was a lasting resolution." Corypheus destroyed any chance of that with the Conclave, damn him. Though part of her wonders if they could truly have ended the war there, or what it would have cost the rebel mages. "The truce will hold for now, but any lasting peace can only happen when it doesn't take an ancient magister threatening the world for mages and templars to stop fighting."

Peace has to be built on something positive for it to last, she firmly believes. The state of affairs as it exists now will only last as long as the need for the Inquisition exists...and one day, that need will vanish. What happens afterward will depend on the foundation they built now.

She stares at the vials, then shakes her head. "Whatever comes, I hope these will no longer be a part of it. No one should have that hold over a mage, any more than a blood mage should be allowed to influence another's mind. It's beyond cruel."

"Your points are all valid." James let out another noise, before he straightened himself up. "I suppose it is up to us - whenever this is all finished. We will have to be the ones to make the change, not force it ... but not stand down. Keep to the path that we have started to lay out." Working together, albeit warily, was the first step.

He and Inessa ... were the second step. Friends, despite or perhaps because of their backgrounds..

"Considering what what lyrium has done to the Templars ... yes, I have to agree to that."

"A device created to hunt people down or control them...that level of barbarism is one thing which has to be left in the past, if the peace I just spoke about is to have any chance at all. That and many other things, but you'll forgive me if this is the one closest to my heart at the moment."

A slight apologetic smile forms as she nods, agreeing with what's said, but.... "My personal role in that is not likely to be significant, much as I believe in the serious need for reform. Grey Wardens have a different set of demands, and short of whatever miracle befell the Grand Enchanter, that's not likely to change. That said, I'm still invested in the outcome for the sake of my friends and allies."

the days that bind us

Inessa, OTA

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Re: Inessa, OTA

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