the days that bind us

[exequy]

WHO: Lots of people
WHAT: Recovering lost phylacteries
WHEN: Guardian 23, 9:44
WHERE: The Storm Coast
NOTES: Violence! OOC post over here.

All signs point to the Storm Coast, and once scouts have narrowed down the location it's only a short journey across the Waking Sea to move a small force onto the rocky coast. They row ashore just after dawn in driving rain, and follow the beach for at least a mile before finding a path that actually reaches the top of the cliff. The rain fades to a drizzle but the day remains relentlessly overcast as they hike toward their goal, grey and dim even at noon, with a raw breeze off the water.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

It's the same hand Nate had held earlier, when he'd demonstrated how he'd found what Anders should have been prioritizing. Many steps pass in silence with Anders trying to find the right words. Eventually they're at a good distance from anyone else and near a rocky outcropping that can block the view of watchers.

Anders releases Nate's hand and retrieves the phylactery from the little pocket in his robes, holding it between them. There's no doubt it's his.

"I was terrified when they made this," he says quietly. "I'd just been rowed across a lake and deposited in a fortress, shivering, alone, and then one of them pulled out a knife." Anders touches a spot on the inside of his forearm with his free hand absent-mindedly, gone silent again thanks to memories crowding in.

"I'm still scared by it," he finally says. "It was used against me so many times."

[pinprick]

"I remember." Rylock's madness and cruelty, ambushing a Warden with the promise of peace of mind. She wasn't the last, either, just the only one he saw with his own eyes. "I wanted to let you keep smashing them. I wish I could have. But there is no possible way for the Inquisition to keep it secret that they have these. Soon, every mage group will be lobbying for control of them. And given the Inquisition's stance on mage freedom, I believe it won't take long for them to pass them to their rightful owners."

[justice_is_blond]

"The Inquisition's seeming stance."

They still don't have a native mage in any of the key positions, something that stands out even more when they're taking the phylacteries back. It's one thing to say they accept as people, but it could be tactical. It's hard to have faith.

"I feel sometimes like I can do nothing to help anyone save myself," he says heavily. "I want to help my people but the Inquisition blocks dealing with the phylacteries in the only right way, I've been told that opening my mouth will hurt mages by moderates, and the far extremists find me too moderate. All I can do..."

Anders exhales heavily, tosses the phylactery once in his hand before catching it and flinging it hard against the rock. The spell breaks and the blood and glass splatter outward.

"...it's not enough. But it's something."

[pinprick]

"A lot of little somethings add up," Nathaniel says, watching as the sea creeps closer to the spatter of blood. Come high tide, it will wash away the last drops of Anders' blood before it was tainted. "And it no longer has a hold over you. I'm proud of you, love. It took a long time, but it's happened now and it's done. You've survived it all and you are free."

[justice_is_blond]

He steps close to Nate again, wrapping his arms around his husband and resting his forehead on Nate's shoulder.

"I survived it and I'm free," he echoes. Free with some limitations, like the Warden's reputation being at stake if he'd continued helping, but more free than he's been since he set the barn on fire. "Maker. That's been there for about twenty-five years, looming. I wanted to think it was destroyed in Amaranthine but there's no surprise to knowing that Rylock was lying and manipulating. I... I truly wish we could see an end to phylacteries at all. I don't know what loyalists will do with theirs, but the whole practice..."

It's an invasive thing that's been used against mages for so long. All of those practices need to end.

"We're people. Dangerous people, I know, but... but we didn't choose this. And a vast majority of us are trying to do our best. Which says little in my case, but should say a lot for the rest."

[pinprick]

"I know." Nathaniel kisses the top of his husband's head, winding his arms around him. "I know. But you are free. All of them are free now. They are free to be Loyalists or Libertarians and have it actually matter that they have an opinion. Even the most conservative among them are free."

A tilt of his head. "When we get home, we will have champagne. Toast to that wretched vial being destroyed. In the meantime, care to walk along the beach with me?"

[justice_is_blond]

Nate has a point he hadn't considered. Even if they keep their phylactery, shove it in a sock in a drawer or something, they've chosen. It's a freedom. Anders inhales and exhales slowly before nodding.

"I'd like that. Do you think we can stumble along the beach like this?" He's teasing. It would be awkward and ridiculous to even take a step like this, rather than to try walking anywhere. "A two-headed blob of a shape."

Anders gives Nate's shoulder a kiss before straightening up and reaching for his hand. "Let's walk, love. We could even run." It's also teasing. ...Mostly.