[Open] No boom today. Boom tomorrow.

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders and anyone! Or, well, almost anyone. Sorry, Fenris and Cullen...
WHAT: Anders arrives at Skyhold, takes a new fake name, and tries to get a measure of the Inquisition while keeping a low profile. Starting in prose, but will switch to brackets to match if that's preferred!
WHEN: Mid-haring
WHERE: All over Skyhold, choose your location?
NOTES: Warning for Anders? I can't think of any real ones atm, I'll update if that changes.

He's tired, but that's nothing new. The road's been long. It shows in the way he leans a little on his staff, a fairly generic-looking thing that's far from his old appreciation of things flashy, just as it shows in the state of his rather ragged-looking robes and the scruff of a beard that he doesn't exactly like. At least he's not dead on his feet - the company of a few refugees more than willing to bear the brunt of conversation on the way up had made the last couple of days more bearable than usual.

Now he's here, and the strain is back on his shoulders. Skyhold holds more than the usual level of danger but there's no getting around the fact that he has to at least visit this place. The Inquisition is likely to be a player in the future of mages, and Anders will not see the little bit of progress made be undone out of fear, or laziness, or naivete, or any other number of things that could cut down freedom for his people.

But that doesn't mean he knows how to go about working toward that, just yet. And that means he's slowly going around the fortress, gathering information by listening and asking simple, short questions. They have to be short. The second-to-last thing he can afford is to slip up and let Justice get too accusatory, which could lead to the last thing he can afford - to be recognized by someone who would turn him over to the 'authorities,' such as they are.

"Have you been with the inquisition long?" is one of the most frequent questions, along with a follow up if the answer is yes: "Do you think they treat mages well here?" It's not like he's hiding the staff, after all. But there are more simple questions mixed in as well, questions about the need for herbalists or healers, about where one might find a warm enough corner to sleep in, or where one can lose what few coppers they have over a game of cards. They're general. Careful. They have to be. He's no longer ready to die.

Comments

[equanimiti]

The symbolism of this seemingly harmless gesture honestly fails to translate to Alayre who's genuinely concerned for this weary healer. He almost fears he had offended the man before slowly realizing how awkward it must seem for a Mage to take the hand of his oppressor. It's then that the Knight-Commander feels the weight of it all. A part of him is truly baffled behind his own reaction, that part that remains a Templar. However, Alayre's humanity and code of chivalry take precedent over his lofty attitude as a Templar.

It always has.

Alayre is an odd one. The man seems to play from his own script while everyone else follows the other. There's a strange kind of sincerity in his gray eyes that's honestly uncommon but not impossible for others to achieve. He truly does wish to assist and that is exactly he will do. Alayre much rather be apparent of a solution than the problem.

"You're a healer?" He questions once he gets the man to rest. "By the Maker's breath, we truly do need more healers at Skyhold. You should become acquainted with Lady Leblanc, she's quite the healer." It's not often that Alayre speaks fondly of Leblanc, especially considering her dislike for the Order but Alayre cannot deny her skill.

The Templar falls silent once he mentions the crusade they face. A slight sigh escapes Alayre. "Fair enough but I doubt many of those who once upheld such authority wish to return to the corruption we've left. Order is broken, the state of the Order is broken. We mustn't return to something that will not be fixed." Alayre settles down next to the Mage and sighs once more.

"I know my words are true but many think of them as mere folly."

[justice_is_blond]

"I am, yes. I'll look for Lady Leblanc shortly here." He needs to rest for a time, catch his breath, maybe sleep. There have been so many that needed healing... along with so many bandits and Templars who needed dealing with. If they attacked someone, they died. The Warden-Commander had never shown mercy there, nor had Hawke, and Anders thought them excellent examples.

Of course, there never was any true rest when the topic of Templars and the Order was around.

"There should not be a return to the system that came before. By any means. It wasn't merely corrupt. I've seen the abuses of it, the casual cruelties. If there's to be Templars again, it must be Templars who accept mages as people and not prisoners, not... not some sort of hidden, poison-laced trap simply waiting for a misstep."

For this, Anders has more energy. Part of that is because some of the energy comes from Justice, but this is also what keeps him going. If not for his fears for the future of mages and a feeling of some responsibility after all he'd done, Anders wouldn't even be here. Justice wouldn't allow him to lie down and give up, but there are a million other ways to let death happen. The spirit couldn't stop him if he told this Templar the name he'd been known by for so long, for instance. He won't speak it. But he could.

"The authority once held over mages is broken and for good reason. Any who wish to remain Templars would do well to examine their motivations for it. There should no longer be room for sadists or rapists, or those who seek power. If they wish to serve, let them actually serve and not rule."

[equanimiti]

Once he's assured that this weary man won't fall dead at his feet, Alayre relaxes a little. He eyes the mage intently as he speaks, watching the blond with a hint of curiosity. "You speak true about...us." He replies after taking a moment to digest everything that the healer spoke upon. "Our ranks truly needs to be thinned and the ardent violators of our Order must be punished for their crimes. I will not share the Order with rapists or sadists, and I shan't share it with those who use our creed to abuse our charges." Alayre let's out a sigh as he runs his hand through his silvery gray hair. The Knight-Commander isn't as old as he seems but he certainly feels quite old now.

"I've seen my fair share of horrors in the past done by those who dared called themselves 'brothers'." Alayre grunts in disgust. "Horrors of a bloodstained past still linger fresh as I uphold some sort of standard here in Skyhold for my men to follow. I was fortunate enough to have rid myself of these criminals amongst my fifteen but I know we have monsters still amongst us in the Hold. Most Templars are merely misguided but there are a few that should be put to a blade before the Inquisition pursues this Corypheus."

He falls quiet for a spell before suddenly speaking again. "Tis my goal to have the Order truly fulfill their duties and serve our charges more like guardians than jailers. However, history has proven that even the oppressed can become the oppressors if given the power. Some fear this will be the outcome and refuse change."

[justice_is_blond]

Likely he's among the group that Alayre feels should be put to a blade, but for once there's something that Anders doesn't take personally. He'd accepted his fate at the Gallows and while he has no desire to die, he knows what's just. He's very familiar with what's just.

"Fear of the future going poorly in one way is no excuse to avoid change. There are thousands of ways this world can yet go wrong. Those who let this fear rule them likely are among the worst of the bunch - fearing that what they've done may yet be turned against them. And that future is unlikely."

Yes, it's possible. There are those few who turned to blood magic and demons not out of desperation, but a desire for power. Anders and Justice are both fully aware of this.

"For one, you'd need mages poised to take power for that. A great many, who want that role. I know of none, though if there are some within the Inquisition, I expect you'll correct me on that. Second, the mages I do know simply want a life that is theirs, with the burdens and freedoms that brings."

Some will do poorly. Some will do well. They're like any people group, in that. Some will even turn to the Templars in desperation, he has no doubt. They'll be weak, but that will be their choice, and that's the point of freedom. Choices.

"Justifying persecution with fear is a shallow and weak excuse. There are those that hide behind it, and they deserve no authority, no position where they can continue to oppress. I would be glad to see the ranks of Templars thinned of those who are in it with the wrong motivations. If you can achieve that, there will be a future in the Order." And if it can't be achieved, if the Templars stay an Order of cruelty and persecution, then there should be no Order. No organization should stand on the backs of others. He might have found the rare Templar who might agree. At the very least, he's found one that agrees on more points than nearly any others Anders has met. Thrask had been another rare one, but he'd had motivation in his daughter. It shouldn't have to be personal for Templars to see mages as people.

[equanimiti]

"Once before, I actually...considered perhaps doing away with the Order entirely." Alayre all but whispers after listening well to the healer's words. "As fragmented as we are, the thought did pass through me. Though, it was the earnestness of a few newly knighted that convinced me otherwise when they spoke of undoing all the horrors done by their predecessors. T'was then that I realized a New Order could be established by those who earnestly do believe in freedom. Hence my current plight. I desire fill the Templar ranks with those honest and earnest enough to spark change but first I must truly rid ourselves of many who cling to the past."

A feat easier said than done. Alayre isn't quite certain how to "thin" their ranks without possible bloodshed at this point. Diplomacy only goes but so far when dealing with sadists, and Alayre once was forced to kill some of his former brothers out within the Hitherlands.

"The Inquisition already made it quite clear that they won't tolerate the Order's blustering if we continue to argue amongst ourselves about the way of things. We're all soldiers now and as soldiers, I'm dedicated to the Inquisition goals. Therefore, if I must dirty my hands...then so be it." Alayre truly doesn't find any enjoyment in hurting anyone but justice comes first. The creed comes first. He cannot allow despots to run wild, not under his watch.

"The Mages have their freedom and I want them to keep it. I'm not here to stand in their way, I'm merely present to guide them." If he must be a Templar, then let him be a good one. That is all he desires until the day he decides to put this life behind him.

[justice_is_blond]

What if all Templars had these thoughts and opinions? What if even half did? Thedas would be a far different place, that's for certain, and Anders' life would have been free of so much pain. So many lives would have been free of so much pain. He looks past Alayre, quiet and contemplative for several moments. Justice wants to offer their hands to keep the Templar's clean, but Anders doesn't think that would go over well.

"There's always bears in the Hinterlands, if some Templars need to be lost." It's lightly said, despite how earnestly he'd love to lead Templars to bears. Both of them would utterly enjoy it. Regardless, he waves a hand to dismiss his comment. The last thing he wants to do is alienate the one Templar he's found in a very long time who seems to care about mages.

"It means little, but you've my support." Less than little, really. Detlef, at least, is a Spirit Healer helping out. Anders is not a name anyone wants attached to their cause any longer. "My goal is to see mages free. I am no soldier. But assisting the Inquisition is quickly becoming the clear way forward for my people to have a future that's theirs. I'll give all I am for that."

It isn't like he'll live long enough to enjoy it. He'll be identified sooner or later, and he has no illusions about what will happen then. If he can at least help the cause more, he'll accept that as fair trade.

[equanimiti]

That grim as bit about leading the problematic Templars to fade-touched bears won a slight chuckle from Alayre. He does his best to hide his smile from the Mage but he's almost certain that Detlef spotted earlier. "An interesting proposition." He whispers to him. "As expected that certainly wouldn't go over well with my colleagues." Alayre's smile fades a little but some traces of it lingers.

"But I thank you nonetheless. I'm grateful to know that least...someone believes that change will come. I honestly think that in time that good fortunes will come to us both, Mage and Templar. " A tired sigh escapes him. "I just hope that day comes sooner so Thedas can be whole again." His thoughts linger with the upcoming battle for the future of this world. Alayre is afraid that the Inquisition won't be ready to strike when that day arrives. If things continue as they are; none of them will have a fighting chance.

[justice_is_blond]

He sees the entirely unexpected smile. There's no use in pursuing, in actually offering to waylay Templars to bears and saying that what Alayre's colleagues don't know won't hurt anyone, but he'll remember that smile. It's... shocking. What if Alayre had been Knight-Commander in Kinloch hold instead of Greagoir? His whole life would be-- and that's not really worth dwelling on. The past has happened as it has happened. Karl might be alive, certainly, but every Kirkwall mage would have died without a chance to fight for their freedom.

"Change has to come." It's more a prayer than anything. So many mages are afraid and will bend their necks if the Templars try to force them back into the Circle, and others, the Loyalists, will encourage it. The remainder would die. He can't let that happen.

"But Thedas being whole... That's an entire different set of issues. The Qunari want to expand, the Dalish are mistreated and hunted, the underground has Darkspawn even without an ongoing Blight, and then there's the tiny, ever-so-insignificant detail of Corypheus wandering about. With, if rumors are true, a dragon." And then there's Starkhaven threatening Kirkwall, too, but he's not going to list that.

"You've certainly set your goals low. An admirable trait." It's the gentlest of teases, because he can hear how tired that sigh is. He can feel that tiredness, considering.

[equanimiti]

Once Detlef starts listing all of the issues he'll face in the future to save Thedas, Alayre actually starts to feel even more overwhelmed. "One step at a time." He mutters more to himself than to the healer. If he truly means to save Thedas, Alayre must first unite Skyhold and end the war while working hard to end the strife between Mage and Templar. Then he can focus on possibly aiding the Grey Wardens against the ongoing Blight and possibly defend Thedas from Qun invaders. As for the Dalish and the injustice they face, Alayre doesn't know how to handle it but he'll try to assist. Now as for Corypheus and the dragon, only a unified Inquisition can handle all of that.

He certainly has his work cut out for him.

"Oh, haha~!" Alayre shakes his head. "You must think of me as an idealistic fool but watch me achieve the impossible. I don't plan on stopping my crusade to save this world as long as the Maker guides me." He states with a strange bit of confidence in his tone.

"Thedas will be saved from itself."

[justice_is_blond]

One step at a time. It's all anyone can do, and Anders nods in silent agreement. Certainly there are larger steps and smaller steps - freeing a mage through his network in Kirkwall was a smaller step, blowing up the Chantry was larger - but it's still one step at a time.

Anders leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, his chin on his palms, and stares into the horizon for a few moments before talking again.

"And I've never stopped seeking freedom. Not since the day they first put ropes around my wrists and took me toward the Circle. There's a need in this world for idealism, for people who will save others, who will right wrongs. They're few and far in between."

He sighs and straightens as he continues. "The question is more how far you'll go. How far anyone with ideals will go. Because it will take a great deal to save this world from itself and put an end to all the injustices in Thedas, and yet there are lines whose crossing..." There's a shake of his head. "I'd think there would be no coming back from that. Those who have called for the Rite of Annulment, for instance. And other, more memorable actions."

Like his. He has as many lives on his hands as any who have performed the Rite, and as much blame as any who has called for it. But at least his aim and motivations were pure and blameless, unlike theirs.