[open] where I go

[onlyhymns]

WHO: Knight-Lieutenant Cade Harimann and you
WHAT: A jumpy templar is out of the dungeon and getting his bearings on Skyhold. What horrors will he face? (by horrors I mean other people)
WHEN: Early Haring
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES:If your character met him during speed dating, feel free to assume that conversation happened IC (except Nerva) and that they're already acquainted.

Finally unleashed upon his new home, and wearing his traveling leathers with the unmistakeable flaming Templar sword emblazoned on the chest, Cade made his way around Skyhold with the intention of finding a purpose for himself.

1. The battlements. Cade was unnerved by crowds and limited sightlines, so he had taken to spending a good chunk of time up in the battlements. It gave him an opportunity to watch, listen, and grow accustomed to life below, which was so very different than how he'd come to understand the world.

2. The training grounds. Although he had first been seen in his heavy Templar plate, wielding a sword, left to his own devices Cade was more likely to use the archery range. He was an exceptionally good shot, and spent hours shooting targets with the single-minded concentration of one who was trying not to think about anything at all.

3. The chapel. He could often be found alone in the small chamber just off the cloistered garden, on his knees and with his head bowed to the altar of Andraste.

4. Anywhere! Give me a place and I'll find a reason that he'd be there.

Comments

[equanimiti]

A hint of surprise lingers within Alayre's gaze once he recognizes that face but he doesn't voice it. He gives Cade a measuring glance before allowing his steely gaze to linger elsewhere. "'Have you returned to Andraste's welcoming embrace?" He asks.

"'Tis good to see you again after such harrowing events but is it wise to believe that your arrival here heralds another situation?" The Knight-Commander questions as he gives Cade another thoughtful glance. "I can imagine that you've slept within the comforts of a jail cell for a time."

[onlyhymns]

"Yes, ser," came the answer to Alayre's first question, a fair bit of relief accompanying Cade's words. At the further questions, however, Cade seemed to shrink into himself, his face going red with shame.
"...I have, ser," he answered abashedly, "..but I... intend that it will not happen again."

[equanimiti]

"Good." Sauveterre replies with some approval in his tone. "I plan to hold you to your words." If Cade actually proves himself to be an invaluable soldier to the Inquisition, then maybe there's hope. As a military, the Inquisition is weak. There's too much division amongst them and too much squabbling. They desperately need to unite for the perils that await them but Alayre knows it will take time.

"Now that you're an honorary member of the Inquistion, I wonder your opinion of us." Alayre asks suddenly after a moment of silence. "Speak candidly with me, do you believe the Inquisition is battle ready?"

[onlyhymns]

Cade nodded again in acknowledgment, supplying another "yes, ser," to Alayre to demonstrate that he'd heard and understood. As with before, he felt a little calmer with the man around, a little more secure in the knowledge that somebody was here who knew what he was doing.

He was a bit surprised when Sauveterre asked his opinion, but was never one to ignore a direct command. "It's difficult for me to say, ser," he said thoughtfully, "I am... concerned by the power mages seem to hold here. I would not feel comfortable going into battle, not knowing what my duties were to those around me."

[equanimiti]

Everything Cade said is everything he expects a Templar to say. Even he's a tad concerned about the amount of power the mages wield here. Despite urging the mages to form and create their council, Alayre honestly is a tad concerned about their growing power with the hold. Skyhold is slowly becoming less like the Inquisition and more like the Tevinter Imperium to some. It's a disturbing comparison.

"It would seem we share similar concerns." A tense sigh leaves Alayre. "I cannot pretend to claim that our duties remain true to the Order anymore. I suppose to the rest of Thedas, all of us are nothing more than brigands at this point who've abandoned our creed." He frowns somewhat as he admits the truth.

"Nevertheless, we're bound to the whims of the Inquisition now as their stalwart soldiers."

[onlyhymns]

Cade lowered his head as the truth of Alayre's words sunk in. It was certainly no less than what he had become, and he had done a stint in the dungeon to prove it.

He knit his brow with a troublesome question, glancing up at the Knight-Commander in thought. "...forgive me, ser," he said quietly, "but who... is in charge of the Inquisition?" From what he had seen, there were military efforts, healing efforts, and so forth, but he had no knowledge of who signed off on everything.

[equanimiti]

That question wins a sigh. "Had the Herald of Andraste lived, we would be under her command." Alayre states as he reflects about the funeral held here in her name. "Alas, we are currently guided by none other than the advisers who accompanied her. Though, I do believe many in Skyhold look to Rutherford as our commander." There's only a bare hint of uncertainty in Alayre's tone as he speaks briefly about Cullen.

"I have no malice towards that man but I'm hesitant to acknowledge his title for he was once the Knight-Captain of Kirkwall."

[onlyhymns]

Cade was surprised to hear anyone speak against Cullen, even as mildly as Alayre did. "I believe he has..." Cade trailed off, trying to find the right words. "...abandoned his role as a Templar entirely. He's stopped taking lyrium." Although his tone wasn't outright condemnatory either, he was nervous, and didn't know what to think.

A question came to him, and he asked it timidly. "The Herald. Was she... truly chosen by Andraste?"

[equanimiti]

"I would like to believe that she was."

Alayre answers honestly as he ponders more about this. "For too long has the Divines stood back and done nothing while mortal men sabotage this good earth. It would bring comfort to know that the Divines show interest to us and that the Maker is indeed real." His reply is whispered and quiet upon the ears. They are within the Chantry and it wouldn't wise to voice such opinions too loudly for the Reverend Mother too hear. Alayre wishes not to face her wrath or any of the sisters here.

"Too many claim the Maker shows disinterest in us mortals. I would've took enjoyment in proving otherwise."

[onlyhymns]

Cade nodded, but still seemed a bit uncertain. "But then, if... if she was chosen by the Maker, why would he have let her die?" He frowned, unsure of whether or not he spoke blasphemy.

[equanimiti]

Cade's response wins an almost worried glance from Alayre. "That's exactly what leaves me pondering." He replies honestly while doing his best to keep his faith true. "Some believe that the Herald's death signifies the End of our realm." Alayre pauses momentarily once one of the sisters venture too close to their conversation. He waits for the woman to leave before continuing with this grim talk.

"Although, twice as many believe that fortune is still on our side. I, for one, shan't rest until Thedas is whole again or until its criminal is brought to justice. Unlike those naysayers who claim that the Maker has averted his gaze from us, I believe he's always watching and challenging us to do good. The Inquisition's battle is our battle. We mustn't allow our faith in the Maker to wane but we also must believe in ourselves." There's so much more Alayre desires to say but he silences himself. He already talked this poor man ear off. Perhaps it's time to reward Cade with a lighter form of conversation.

"All this talk of faith and heresy can be quite tiresome. Can I tempt you to more jovial conversations over a glass of warm cider?"

[onlyhymns]

On the contrary, Cade was glad to have an outlet for some of his deeper questions, and to have found someone equally interested in asking them.
"I believe the same," he said softly, finding strength in the words through Alayre's conviction. "The Maker knows all that we do."

The lull in conversation had him looking at the statue of Andraste once again, but Alayre's question brought his attention back, faintly surprised. "I-... thank you, ser," Cade replied, a bit dumbfounded. Even in his prime, he had never been the sort to be invited for drinks; he had always been different from the other Templars, more pious, less inclined to smile, and many took it as a rejection of companionship. In many ways, that wasn't wrong.

[equanimiti]

"'Blessed are the peacekeepers, champions of the just.'" Alayre recites directly from the Book of Benedictions as he turns towards the statue of their savior's likeness. He gives the Statue of Andraste a bow before deciding it's high time for them to make their way to Herald's Rest.

It's then that Alayre lightly taps the Cade's shoulder before taking the lead. "There's no need for thanks. I'm merely grateful to know you're willing to return to the side of the righteous after briefly lead a stray. Not many men are brave enough to admit their wrongs and willingly seek change." He turns to Cade with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"That's quite admirable."

[onlyhymns]

Cade moved after him, a certain solemnity to him despite how the mood had lifted. "With all due respect, ser, I believe my actions were the result of... my weakness of will." Led astray he may have been, but in doing so he led others. Or failed to. "...I shall always strive to be better in the Maker's eyes. At times I don't know how this could be possible."