faderift | The dog days are over

WHO: Adelaide, Pel, and Ellana
WHAT: Some of the Mage Council's most prominent anti-Harrowing members regroup and talk strategy in the wake of an Abomination.
WHEN: A few days after an Abomination rampages through Skyhold.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Discussion of Harrowings. Aftermath of violence.

Pel found a fairly clean empty room for them all to meet in and brought in some fruits and cheeses for snacking. Also these things called baguettes. Which are cute. Orlesians like small bread. So cute.

She sits back on a cushion and picks one of the baguettes apart with her fingers.

"So there was an Abomination. This means we have to put forth a new idea now before someone tries to force a vote on Harrowings. I imagine such a vote would not go in our favor."

She brings out a piece of paper and starts to read it.

"How's this: This Councilor proposes the following: that beginning one week after the defeat of the Abomination, all mages under the Council's authority must attend a course with the intended purpose of training against demon possession. This course will be designed by the Council and take at least two weeks of intensive training to complete. Any mages estranged from Skyhold at the time will complete the course upon their return.

That's the first bit, not all. Thoughts so far?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I think we have made it quite plain we've no intention of bowing to them. The Knight Captain Maria, as you've said, and Knight Commander Alayre are aware of that. I will recommend with all due seriousness that the templar Nerva be kept far, far from younger mages. And from any Harrowing or Quartering that take place. She does not see us as people. We do not need more of that sentiment to be passed around, nor the resentment it would cause." Tensions are high enough. No need to press it.

"She's really that bad?" Pel sounds unconvinced, like she's wondering if she could take her.

"Adelaide wouldn't say these things if she didn't know for sure," Ellana points out. She's a sensible woman, not given to making up wild tales. If she says Nerva thinks that way, it must be because she knows it to be so.

"She was civil enough with me until I made mention of my name and she recalled that I am a mage. Her manner changed drastically- I was no longer an academic, no longer a person, but a thing. A dangerous thing to be monitored, used when required, and locked away." It had left quite an impression on Adelaide. "The last time I was looked at with such distaste was when the Spire fell. I'll not have that around my students."

"And I don't want her around Sina. I will move that Sina is exempt from any Fade training regardless of what the Council decides. I have no idea what it will to do her, with that thing in her chest."

"Sina has to be the exception," Ellana agrees. "And anyone who argues will be asked to explain to us the exact nature of the shard in her chest. That should shut them up."

"That she has a shard with some connection to the fade physically embedded in her body is more reason for her to undergo fade training than it is to exclude her from it. It is a beacon, an open door for any demon regardless of her will." They cannot afford the risk to her health anymore than they can afford the risk to the remainder of the Inquisition. "It will be more difficult for her to evade and resist demons because of the shard."

Pel looks like she just bit into a lemon. She glances at Ellana, silently passing the argument to her. It's a better idea than letting herself say what's on her mind.

Ellana sets her fruit aside, losing her appetite once more. Her arms fold around her knees, drawing them up close to her chest, and while she sees Pel wants her to speak, it will take her a moment.

Right now, everything seems like too much. Merrick hates her, Felix is dying, an abomination just caused havoc through Skyhold, and now they're being told Sina is even more susceptible to demons due to the shard. Add in the fact that Ellana's dreams are filled with desire demons bothering her with offerings on how to solve all this and it's not a very good time for her at the moment.

Instead of answering straight away, she lowers her head down onto her knees, and the sight looks as though she may be close to crying. But then her head snaps up and there is a firm, determined look on her face. Mages know better than most how one tiny slip can destroy everything, and so she has to face this head on.

"I will talk to Sina, and make her aware of the dangers. I'll explain how the training is to keep her safe, and also will offer myself as a personal instructor, if she feels unwell enough to always attend the group training." Her expression softens slightly. "That is, I will if she and you two approve of me doing so."

"One on one instruction would be best- it is less likely for her to be overwhelmed in any way- and it is all the better done by someone she knows and trusts. If that is what it will take to see her trained and protected from what the shard might do to her, so be it." So long as she was protected, so long as she could be prepared? Adelaide is satisfied.

This gets a smile from Pel. Excellent. Sina's safety squarely in Dalish hands. If anyone will be careful enough with Sina, it will be Ellana.

"I only meant she shouldn't go into the Fade. But I trust you, Ellana. You'll be the perfect instructor for her."

The admission surprises her, since she hardly thinks she'll be perfect. If anything, being a First means Sina must know specialized magic while Ellana doesn't. But she's dedicated to Sina's safety, as well as the safety of everybody else, and she knows that Sina is comfortable around her, so all that's left is to speak with her about it.

"Well, is there anything else we need to discuss today?"

"Not that I am aware of." Lauren and what came after- that had been her primary concern. Anything more is something they can see to another day.

"That's everything." Pel collects her notes. "I'll write a final draft and present it to the Council as soon as I can. Thank you for your help, both of you."

Ellana nods and moves to stand. They've accomplished what they wanted to do with this meeting, so now all they need to do is speak with the rest of the council.

"Let me know if you want any help writing it."

"Be prepared for an argument, for dissent, and for Confusion. What is put forward is most likely not what will be agreed upon; there will likely be compromises requested if not demanded." Such was the way of ruling by committee.

"The entire document is a compromise. Just. On both sides. I doubt anyone will walk away from it happy. Half of them will think it goes too far and the other half will think it doesn't go far enough. I just hope we manage to pass something."

"There will be a way to meet in the middle and at least satisfy everyone, if we can't make them happy. Which we won't." But Ellana has had enough talk of the council for one day. With a dip of her head, she's the first to depart.

"We will. We can't not." Adelaide offers Ellana a quick dip of her head- or as quick of one as she can manage with the skin on her back so tight. Standing herself took time and grit teeth, but she manages. "Is there anything else you need, Pel?"

Pel shakes her head. Then appears to change her mind. "We'll need a resolution on continuing education. What's in this proposal is just the immediate aftermath of the possession. We'll need more. Do you want to draft that one?"

"I have a few thoughts on the matter I have been roughing out. Given time for polish I intend to sumbit them to the Council. We are in an unprecedented position when it comes to those that might teach and what can be learned." Not every Circle taught the same spells the same way, let alone what they might learn from apostates.

The dog days are over

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