"It is not something I say lightly, but it may be a sacrifice that must be done." Something he said in rage toward the Orlesian mage, but one that he cannot ignore even now he has calmed. There is sense in it even if his colleague does not agree. "Do you think I want them to? That I rub my hands in glee at the thought of abominations manifesting in Skyhold? At leaving the mages to fend for themselves? No."

Stannis shakes his head once. "But they will not learn. They will not listen. They will hold that we are nothing more than tyrants that command over their lives." Templar seek nothing beyond their duty -- that is what their oaths say. Not even the anger of the people should sway them, but the mages have found their "freedom" and will kill to keep it. Even if the course is right, what good will it be if the entire fortress is burning. "I doubt that the Inquisition will allow such creatures to live and call for our assistance during."

That is the scenario that he sees, but it is not the worse case for him.

"Commander Rutherford has been with the Inquisition since its creation. These men and women are loyal to him as they should be. We are part of the Order that has become tarnished thanks to monsters like Meredith. Even if you breathe that word to life, it means nothing. We have not enough men to be anything more than another rebel group gone mad." A beat. "I will not see that be our legacy. I have told you such before."