faderift | [closed] a templar's reckoning

Entry tags:

[closed] a templar's reckoning

WHO: Closed to Seekers and Knights-Commander. And Cade!
WHAT: A meeting and/or hearing to determine the future of Knight-Lieutenant Harimann.
WHEN: Early Drakonis
WHERE: in that one empty tower
NOTES: everyone dies

[Cade has been temporarily released from Nerva's supervision to attend a gathering in the sparse but appropriately isolated tower where the Templars last met. There is a small half-circle of chairs facing a single chair, which he is escorted into by a fellow Templar, who promptly takes their leave.

Dressed in plainclothes and in possession of nothing that could be construed as a weapon, Cade looks rather smaller than usual. He folds his hands, looks at the floor, and waits for it to begin.]

OOC Note: It would probably be easiest to do this in the style of other meetings, more of a rapid-fire discussion than a log with full paragraphs. Having said that, let's still use a turn order just so nobody gets left behind or talked over.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Cade is an expert at knowing when to be seen and not heard-- such as now, not that he would be able to- or have the wherewithal to- interrupt and state his opinion. His opinion is that of his superiors, and always has been.

He has had a desolate, vacant look through the proceedings as he listens, but when Norrington addresses him, he meet's the man's eyes. Nothing Norrington says seems to upset or surprise him, and when the Knight-Commander addresses the others, Cade looks back down again.
He hadn't wanted the promotion anyway, though it had been an honor. Any idiot can see he's not fit to lead, and the massacre at Redcliffe proved that.]

[A sound of distaste was heard when Malcolm posed that question but he dares not answer it. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Norrington in hopes that his fellow Knight-Commander would voice his opinion.

As usual, he is not disappointed by Norrington's more levelheaded approach. Killing Cade would be too extreme of a punishment and his suggestion of excommunicating the Templar from the Order is a foolish one. The best they can do is keep an eye on Harimann, not toss him away.]

Agreed. Perhaps we could perhaps reforge this sword anew if given enough time to do so.

[He gives Malcolm a quick glance.]

[Kirkwall. If there is anything under the Maker's sun that can make Aleron feel immediately guilty, it's mention of Kirkwall. He still blames himself for not having seen what was truly brewing under the lid when he was there a decade ago.

That does not negate the blood magic concern, since Kirkwall was known to be rife with them. However, it does temper the Seeker's train of thought and opens the door for further possibilities which must needs be addressed. Meredith's infamous use of red lyrium certainly complicates matters.]

And how often do you have these lapses? Are they frequent?

[Cade looks down to consider. They may be more frequent than he's noticed, but he at least can gauge the frequency by how many instances in which he's actually lost time.]

I... find it... increasingly often, ser. [He says this with a wince, but his expression changes to a more pensive one when he realizes something.]

...it's when I'm fighting. [He blinks a few times, then looks in Aleron's direction, but past him.] She-... [He curls a hand over his mouth when, all at once, an important piece of the scenario comes back to him. Somehow it manages to be even more offensive- nay, pathetic- than if he had just attacked the elf out of nowhere.]

...she pushed me. [He says this in a mumble, and lowers his face into his hand. Maker have mercy.]

[ Upon request of Seeker Aleron, Beleth is fetched. She thought about asking for someone to accompany her--Zevran maybe, or Merrick, but ultimately comes alone. She doesn't cut a very intimidating figure as she slips into the room, eyes kept down. She only looks up to sweep the room for possible exits in case things get messy, and ends up sliding against the wall, next to a window. ]

You called for me, Ser?

[ She's already thinking about her own goals. Cullen's decision can't stand, and this is her best opportunity to make sure of it--without having it go to the extreme of the other direction. If that means that she has to deal with a room of Templars, so be it. ]

[Ah. Well that certainly does shed new light on the situation. Several actually. It's not the first time he's heard of men and women suffering from a disquieted mind following a traumatic experience.]

Pushed you. In what manner?

[The fact that Cade seems surprised to have remembered that fact doesn't go unnoticed.]

I will not hold you as shirking responsibility by speaking. You have taken ownership of your wrong and for that I commend you. Now it is time to bring the remainder to light. If you can.

[Ah. He recognizes her. Which will either help or hinder the now necessary investigation.]

I did. [He holds out a hand to a chair as an invitation for her to take a seat.] Please.

[He'll just wait for her to settle in before continuing.]

[ She was fine leaning against the wall, Aleron!!! But she doesn't really see that she has much of an option. So she takes the chair, shifting uncomfortably. She glances up for a moment, eyes resting on Alayre. At least she wasn't without any friends in this room. But she turns her gaze back to studying Aleron's boots. ]

I'll answer any questions that I can, ser.

[He slowly crosses his arms over his chest, considering the proposition. Should not piss off the Templars, of course, but in years before all of this, he knows what his solution would have been, should it have pleased his superiors. Giving chances can be...dangerous (a rogue templar is a rogue templar, after all). But so is having a very singular mind on the matter. Intractability started all wars.]

I am not certain that we should offer him to the Dalish. Not for any point against them and reparations to make, but because they may not want his presence if there are no guarantees, on either side, that another incident won't happen. But he should do something quiet. And something in direct service to the Inquisition. Whether it is minor labor, cooking in the kitchens, delivering letters--the specifics I leave to you, Knight-Commanders. As for the Dalish, I suggest asking the woman who was attacked what she would like out of this. The injured party ought get an opinion on how to relieve her injuries.

[He looks to Aleron with a tilt of his head. Not to steamroll over whatever opinions he might have on the matter, of course.]

[Alayre could do naught else but listen to the exchange. The more Cade elaborated regarding his unseemly condition, the more he found him pitying the poor man. He did remember Beleth telling him that she pushed Cade too far but he's wasn't sure what that meant. Now that Cade has confessed to these odd...relapses, Alayre wondered if the same happened in Emprise du Lion during the Red Templar attack.

Cade undoubtedly saved his life that day but at what cost? Did the harrowing events of that day lead them here? Certainly seems like it.

Alayre's anger is somewhat sedated now. Instead of glaring daggers, knives and everything particularly foul at the poor blond, Alayre looks upon Cade with sympathy.

It seems that they all pushed Cade too far despite all the warnings.]

She was... saying something, ser. I don't remember what. And she gave me a shove.

[He still looks like a dog caught tearing up his master's shoes; there really isn't any justification for the violence he inflicted on the elf, regardless of what she did first. He was in full plate and she was not, and he is certainly much larger than she.]

And after that, ser, I... [He thinks, his eyes going vacant for a moment, and he shakes his head.] ...please forgive me, ser, I recall nothing between that and when Warden Theirin intervened.

[Uncomfortable is okay. People who are uncomfortable tend to say more in an effort to assuage their discomfort.]

I recognize you are Dalish and thus may not be fully informed. I would not have it remain so before we continue. Do you know what role the Seekers of Truth serve?

I concur with Seeker Reed. Giving him to the Dalish is inappropriate. It is not our duty to placate the tender feelings of wronged parties, but to see that justice is served.

[Had Cade attacked a farmer, would he then be given a plow and delivered over to the nearest farmstead?

His eye falls back on Cade and he sighs. Which is an unusual level of expression for Aleron and indicates just how terribly difficult he finds this situation. Even having only just met the young Templar, there's a sense of responsibility for him moving forward. Because clearly he should have been removed from service long ere this and somehow he managed to slip through the cracks of responsible leadership.]

I am not certain how his superiors managed to miss his adverse reaction to battle, but I find it a dereliction of duty on their part that he should have been allowed to continue in such a state. He is not the first to have their mind harmed by harsh events, but we need not continue to inflict damages by putting him into the path of repeated shock. It would be cruel.

I propose he be given secretarial duties - so his training need not go to waste - and no longer be deployed in any fashion.

[He looks then to Malcolm for agreement or dissent.]

[ Aleron she is already thinking of ten different ways to twist you around her finger do not test her. ]

I, ah. I didn't know, before. But I've asked around, and I've done a little reading. You're...the people who are in charge of keeping the Templars in line.

[ For a single moment, she looks up, meeting Aleron's eyes, and raises her eyebrow. ]

You must be a very busy man.

[ Because you have been doing a brilliant job of that so far, bucko. ]

[~~Hey, he just got here. And already busting up trouble. It's fine hi and hello.~~

Completely deadpan and not rising to that bait:]

Remarkably so.

You are partially correct. Our responsibilities extend beyond those boundaries. The pertinent information you need is that we are charged with the disciplining of the Templars, answering directly to the Divine.

[Right to the point so she understands the gravity of this discussion.]

Among those duties is attending to the execution of Templars who have gone rogue.

Please forgive me if I have this wrong, as you said, I'm just a Dalish. But... in it's original concept at least, mages are monitored by Templars, Templars are monitored by Seekers, Seekers are monitored by the Divine. Is that correct?

[ And the Divine answers to the Maker, she supposes, except the Divine is currently super duper dead so the Seekers don't answer to anyone. What a lot of overhead that ends up rendering itself nearly useless. It's like they know that they can't be trusted but can't be bothered to actually do anything about it. ]

--Execution? You're not executing, ah, Ser Harimann, are you?

[ She does not sound like she particularly approves of this. ]

[When everything is in right order, the hierarchy works. And it's clearly necessary to be in place, as look what a fine mess Thedas gets itself into when someone decides to buck the system. Aleron would correct her statement regarding the full thrust of the service the Templars are to provide, but she has the bulk of it and the proper details do not weigh in at this time.]

You have a right understanding of the flow of order, yes.

[He crosses his arms over his chest and replies to her question with some of his own.]

Should we execute him? Has he gone rogue? Was there a malificarum controlling his actions?

[ Maybe if you didn't have a system that inherently allowed for abuse of power you wouldn't need to have to make things so complicated to keep that power from being abused!!! ]

I don't know much about malifacarum. I'm not a mage. I never saw blood magic until I had to fight the Antivan Crows. And that wasn't mind magic. But I...don't think it was. But do I think he needs to be executed? Do I think he's rogue?

[ She frowned, and straightened up, eyes locking on Aleron. Her voice is louder, clearer, making sure that there's no room for anyone in the room to misunderstand her. She's nervous, but she's been wanting to say her opinion for a long time now, and she's finally got the chance to say what she thinks in front of people who can actually make decisions. ]

No. Absolutely not. Cade isn't rogue, he's not even malevolent. He's a danger, but he doesn't deserve to die. Commander Cullen's judgement was insulting to both myself and Cade, and if you chose to follow that, it will only be a matter of time before Cade murders someone else who isn't as fortunate as I am. It will also be a message to anyone that attacks a Dalish about what the Templars think an appropriate punishment for that is.

But Cade wasn't attacking me because I'm Dalish. He attacked me because he isn't well. I saw his face when he attacked me. He wasn't...right. I don't know how Templars work, but for the Dalish, when one of our own is sick, we don't kill them. We help them get better. And that is what I would recommend.

Don't kill Cade. He deserves to be punished for what he did, and you need to punish him for it. You need to, or you will be setting a dangerous precedent. But you also need to help him get better, because if you start killing every person who isn't well, you won't be able rest until you have a pile of bodies under you. Worse, you'll be telling every Templar who needs help that the Seekers aren't there to help, they are there to murder them, and they will not go to you until it is too late.

[ Her voice is grim, but sure, and dead serious, her eyes not leaving Aleron's as she speaks. ]

That is what I think, Seeker.

[Leave it to Beleth to speak her honest opinion to a room filled with angry looking Templars. Alayre silently commends her for her courage.]

She's right. [He finally says after a moment of thought.] How could have none of us seen the signs? This certainly hadn't happened over night. Harimann hasn't been well for a long time and I know I'm partly to blame for what transpired.

[He glances at Beleth briefly before glancing back towards the Seeker.]

As I said before, we should forge this sword anew. We owe it to Cade to help him, not kill him. Indeed, he does deserve to be punished for attacking Beleth but that punishment shouldn't be death. [He turns to Beleth again.] Nor should it be at the expense of their pride as individuals.

Edited 2016-03-08 04:43 (UTC)

[Even with that impassioned plea, the Seeker's expression remains an unreadable wall of calm and detachment. He's not here to argue for a position, but to root out the truth of the situation and address it appropriately. If he approves of her appeal for Cade's life, he's not showing it, nor does he intend to let it color the ultimate decision.

...it's probably why Templars hate it when a Seeker shows up.]

And is it a Dalish practice to taunt a rabid dog into attacking?

You admit to seeing his condition, though the report I have been given states that you pushed him.

[He is being harsh. But he wants the truth. All of it. Not opinions or feelings or impressions. However, he did want her entirely aware of the very serious potential consequences of her testimony about the event.]

[ She takes a moment to smile at Alayre, relaxing for a few breaths. At least he's here. Then Aleron speaks, and Beleth is back in the ring. This is some of the political wrangling she's been practicing for. Not all of the people she'll deal with will be giggling nobles, and when she speaks to Aleron, her voice is still clear and concise. ]

It is a Dalish practice to be unhappy when people belittle us. [ Kind of like what you're doing bucko. ] I admit to pushing him. We were having an argument. I didn't see the full scope of his condition until he grabbed me by the hair and started bashing my face into the ground.

[ She gestures to her nose, which had been healed a bit lopsidedly. ]

Or do the Seekers consider that a proper response to an unarmed woman pushing a Templar?

[And yet he still doesn't take the bait. Aleron doesn't do politics. Leave that stuff and nonsense to his ridiculous sister.]

Then if you did not see it until then, you will have no objections in agreeing that the same might be said of others.

To the point. None of the parties involved here are innocent, while all are in the wrong to some degree. Neither you, nor Harimann, nor his superiors are blameless. It is my intention to see that justice is meted out in proper measure to those whom it is my responsibility to do so.

[Which is all he intends to share on the matter. It's internal process and nobody else's business. He doesn't do public shaming, but he doesn't permit public placating either.]

Do you have anything further you'd like to contribute regarding your part in the attack?

You didn't answer my question. [ Ya rude. ]

Not only do I not object to the idea that it might be hard for others to tell who needs help, I agree completely. That is why you must set the example, so Templars will come to you of their own volition. Make them feel comfortable asking for help, and you won't have to try to look for signs.

[ She does stiffen at Aleron's words, however. He has no authority over her, but if she's learned anything from living in such close proximity to Templars, its that they rarely care. ]

I have never claimed to have done no wrong in this case. Only that I was mistreated. I will tell you what happened, fully.

[ She sighs, and rubs the scar that runs the bridge of her nose. Creators give her strength. ]

The times that Cade and I had met before this, he was consistently...dismissive. He treated me as some servant. It is a slight a Dalish cannot bare, and so when I saw him this last time, I... poked fun at him. It escalated into arguing. I pushed him. Then he just...snapped.

[ For the first time, her courage seems to fail her. She takes a few moments, eyes closed, fingers preoccupied with pulling threads from her scarf. ]

He backhanded me, with his gauntlet. I was sent to the ground. He grabbed me by the hair, slammed my face into the ground. He put his foot on my back, stood on me, while keeping my head down, then pulled his sword out. That was when Warden Alistair saved me.

[ She opens her eyes, but keeps them cast down. ]

I think I have already paid for my mistakes.

[There is something in her telling that resonates with him. The downcast eyes. All too familiar stories of one person pushing another until they snapped. Stupid Ravonild and her dumb bowl of water for the flowers being dumped on his borrowed book. He snapped then himself, though he never raised a hand against his twin. The comparison ought to irritate him, but all it manages to do is drum up long exiled memories of his sister doing something dumb and his trying to shield her from the consequences and taking the blame.

He rather sucks at not taking on responsibility that's not his. And he does feel to blame in no small part. Harimann's problems began in Kirkwall and that will ever be a source of guilt for having not looked hard enough. This time, he won't let something slide.

Since she's looking down, Aleron drops to one knee in an attempt to make eye contact without forcing her gaze upward. His tone warms to genuine concern.]

Yes, you have.

[Not that he'd be so forward to begin with, but he refrains from touching Beleth because she has suffered enough physical trauma.]

Have you had adequate care for your injuries?

[The concern in Aleron's tone has Alayre utterly baffled at this point.

Both Seekers had donned such an impressive stoic mask chiseled from indifference until now. While he does perceive Aleron as slightly friendlier by a breath than Malcolm, Alayre is still somewhat surprised to hear general concern within the Seeker's tone. It seems so strange and ultimately foreign to him.

Alayre doesn't know what to make of it so he reserves his judgement of Aleron for now.]

The scars upon flesh heal quickly but the soul...

[Beleth's encounter with Cade undoubtedly changed Beleth for bad or good.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 3

[closed] a templar's reckoning

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Beleth's Side Of The Story

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject