entrancelogs | ( open ) in peace, vigilance

Entry tags:

( open ) in peace, vigilance

Who: Warden Cousland and YOU
Where: Outside (various)
When: 08/29
Rating: PG...?
Summary: The day Robyn arrives to Wonderland is very busy and very confusing.

( morning ; arrival )

[ It isn't Ferelden, that much she can tell. Robyn has spent her entire life in the place, knows its trees and air and people like the back of her hand. Not once has she traveled outside its borders (she's been to the Deep Roads, for Andraste's sake, but has never stepped foot outside of their fair kingdom). Well... that is, until now. Until they'd been discussing what would surely be the final battle, the clash against the Darkspawn hordes, against the fearsome Archdemon itself, and then...

This. She'd been alarmed, to say the least, but not panicked. After everything, it's hard to lose your cool at a simple change of scenery. All the same, she notices the plants, catches voices in the air that are distinctly foreign, and has to wonder.

Where am I?

She spends no time trying to figure that out, of course. The Warden, bow slung over her back, but dagger at her hip, moves quietly through the grounds. It'd be easiest to just speak with one of the natives and she's always favored a non-violent approach, when possible, but these are extraordinary circumstances. She hasn't felt this upended in a long time and it has to take some preparation. Not the usual (traps and such), but stealthy observation of the land around her and, if she's lucky, whatever people may be camped nearby.

"Camped," she thinks, until she comes across the mansion. The brunette stops dead, eyes wide and shocked; it hadn't seemed like any part of a town or city, but here is someone's estate, clearly, a bizarre structure that rises up from the grass like a jarring behemoth. ]

Maker's breath. [ But perhaps she's gaping for a moment too long... ]

( afternoon ; danger )

[ There is a wolf in the field beyond the gardens. It isn't just any wolf, however; the Blight Wolf will likely be alarming to anyone who is unfortunate enough to see the monster-like animal as it wanders through the grounds. Oddly, perhaps, the wolf doesn't seek out prey or attack and of the local animals or horses. It pants, sniffling around, exploring, but seems mostly without interest in anything living.

When someone crosses its path, the wolf lowers its head, bears its teeth, and growls. Watching. ]

( evening ; settling )

[ It isn't long before she makes camp. Well, a semblance of it, anyway; the young Warden rolls a log from the forest with some effort and leaves it on the outskirts. Following that, she arranges a series of stones, moving into the trees to gather firewood which she promptly deposits. Though a mage would make the entire process easier, she is alone at present, and lights a fire with a flint so that flames crop up between the twigs in bright shoots.

The mansion seems tame enough, her fears quelled for a time by the other she'd spoken with. It isn't her country, her world, even, or the Fade; that has anxiety prickling inside her like she hadn't felt in a while. It's so strange how easily the others seemed to accept it, too... and Robyn thinks, I've made it through worse, much worse, and contents herself with a short sigh, stretching out her legs before her. She's still sitting in full armor, though it's light enough not to be uncomfortable and, frankly, she finds it a great comfort to have the leather garb keeping her safe in completely uncharted territory. ]

Hmm. [ When darkness begins to fall, she wonders if she'd be better off inside the walls of the manor. She'd been told that it was safe, that there was food and warmth and a room for her, somehow. Well, they did bring me here. But something about it makes her uneasy and she's not in any hurry to leave the simple familiarity of the lonely camp she'd made in the grass of the very-foreign Wonderland. ]

Things can't ever be simple, can they?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, the Chantry declared me a heretic, first. That was more the cause of infamy. They preferred to pin the blame for what happened at the Temple on me since I seemed to make a fairly easy scapegoat, at first. Plus, people sort of took to calling the 'Herald of Andraste' since... well, it's complicated, but the rumors spread like wildfire and the Chantry wasn't too pleased about that either.

[ Personally, despite his upbringing, that had been about the time when he'd been ready to leave them to clean up their own damn mess, but he couldn't do that to all the innocents caught in the crossfire. The common folk who had no defense and no place to hide. But Maker's breath, he hated politics. Even now, he was heartily sick of the Game, no matter what his skill level had evolved into.

Her questions about the explosion have him dipping his head in a nod. ] Yes. We found him. Or rather, he kept hunting me, so I suppose we kept finding each other. We ended him at last, but it took us quite some time. And no small amount of luck.

'Herald of Andraste?' [ Her brows shoot up, interest clearly piqued. ] Maker, you have more stories than anyone I've met, and that is really saying something. Though - you also come with a lot of questions, I'm afraid.

[ For one: what. ]

But, I won't pry. [ Yet....... ] I am glad to hear you've stopped the man responsible... and that you were able to make it to the other side safely.

[ If he hadn't already told her of her future, she would doubt that she and the others would be able to say the same. ]

It's been a very busy year. [ He informs her dryly. ] I didn't before that. Practically no one outside of Ostwick had ever heard of me, in fact. And I'm fairly glad 'Inquisitor' has replaced 'Herald'. I feel much less likely to get struck by lightning now when anyone addresses me formally.

[ He chuckles at her confusion because yes, most of his story will sound impossible and outlandish to anyone who didn't live it. Maybe even then. Varric was still threatening to title his next book 'This Shit is Weird' because of it. Brennan couldn't say he blamed him. ]

You're allowed to pry as much as you like, I don't mind. I can't guarantee you'll believe me when I answer you, but that's another matter entirely. [ He pauses then, glancing over at her curiously. ] What was it like for you? During the Blight? If I may ask?

I'm beginning to suspect that. [ They're similar, she realizes all at once, in that their names have all but faded. 'Inquisitor' and 'Herald' are fair parallels to 'Warden' (and then 'Warden-Commander' and 'Hero of Ferelden,' though she hasn't properly earned either title yet). ]

I've seen enough in the last year to have moved beyond healthy cynicism. [ Not that she's ever really been a cynic, but their adventures thus far could have made anyone a believer in just about anything. ... Excluding Morrigan, perhaps. ]

- The Blight? [ Oh. She blinks; it's odd, hearing it spoken of in the past tense, considering that she's still living it. Robyn frowns in thought, taking a careful moment before answering. ] It... Honestly, an apt word is 'chaos.' Families without homes, corpses walking the streets, the Taint - and people taking advantage of the suffering, which really makes me angry.

[ She looks it, too, puffing up a bit with the frustration and indigence over bandits charging refugees for safe passage and merchants cheating the penniless. ]

And that's aside from the absolute political chaos, which we weren't even meant to be involved with.

There was a war. [ He adds this fact after a moment, listening to what she says and what she does not. ] Before the Conclave at the Temple. It was why the Divine and so many leaders were there - the Mages had rebelled and the Templars fought back, split from the Chantry to fight them. She'd called them together to bring them to peace, find a solution to end the discord. That, obviously, didn't happen.

'Chaos' was a good word for it. Fighting broke out everywhere. Circles were wiped out, and then it spilled over the countryside. Ferelden got hit especially hard, Redcliffe ended up at it's center. It was one of the first places I was sent, as the Herald. There was so much damage, so much destruction, so much needless death. So I understand, a little.

And she was killed. They were all -

[ The grief of it clutches at her heart like an icy hand and she has to pause, collect herself. ]

I'm not surprised someone used the Conclave as a target. With everyone gathered there... and there may have yet been bloodshed, what with Mages and Templars' tensions running high beforehand.

[ When has it ever been otherwise? ]

Redcliffe was barely stable when I left it. [ She sighs again, her gaze downward, distant. ] We don't need the Blight to tear Thedas apart; we do a fair job of it on our own.

[ It's uncharacteristically cynical of her, but all this bad news weighs heavily on the Warden's shoulders. ]

Actually, you and Alistair stabilized things a great deal after the Blight.

[ He's quick to supply that, because she looks as if she's taking the news hard. Unsurprising, but he still feels the need to reassure her over the depressing topic. ]

It took some time, of course, but Ferelden's been highly stable in recent years. You had your work cut out for you, but it's prospered and recovered well.

[ Alistair again. Unintentionally, her lips quirk upward into a flicker of a smile, one which does not linger.

Her heart does beat faster, though. ]

Did we? Hmm. [ "Highly stable" is good. And he's trying to reassure her, which she appreciates. Robyn tilts her head slightly, shifting where she sits on the log. ] I'm glad something is going right, at least. Frankly, I'd like to know how we made it past the Archdemon.

[ They still have yet to defeat it, in her timeline, and she isn't looking forward to the prospect. Still, she smiles with more relief after what he's said. ]

[ That has Brennan pausing for a moment, because... how much does she know? How much should he say? ]

Well, you killed it, obviously. Quite spectacularly, in fact. An epic battle atop Fort Drakon. We heard tales of it all the way in Ostiwick. There was celebrating for more than a fortnight.

Oh, I didn't mean - I wouldn't ask you to recount the rest of my life, that just sounds tedious. [ And a little embarrassing; though they're all good things, thus far, she's not one for praise. ] I just wish I could take back what I learn and use that in the fight, but... I doubt it could be so easy.

[ She hasn't been told before, but she suspects that nothing here will impact her life in Ferelden. ]

Happy to give a reason for celebration, though. Maker knows, we could use more of it.

I'm not sure I have those details anyway. We've only exchanged correspondence maybe twice. You're apparently off on some epic quest for the Wardens, last I heard. And the one time I bumped into Alistair in person, things were... kind of a mess. Wasn't much time for socializing.

[ Still, he reaches out and brushes a hand lightly against her back in encouragement. ]

You'll do fine. I know it's probably weighing on you still, what with it... looming there and all. But for what it's worth? You come through it alright. You and your companions. Take comfort in that, at least.

Another quest? [ She has to chuckle; they never end, not that she expected them to. Not until twenty-so years after his time when she goes to the Deep Roads for the last time. ]

I suppose there wasn't, with the pair of you being so busy.

[ Brennan and Alistair separately. She hasn't forgotten that he'd thought her royalty, but he's yet to say as much about the other Warden... though, she can assume.

Won't, though, because it isn't her style. Instead, she clears her throat lightly, carefully. ]

All of them? [ That is encouraging and her spirits lift a bit. ] None of it would have been possible without them. I'm very lucky to be in their company.

All of them. [ He's quick to reassure her with a smile, glancing over and searching her face for a moment. ] Would you like to know of them? Of... things? I do not want to divulge things you'd prefer to remain a mystery. This time magic complicates matters frustratingly, it's true, but if there is anything you wish to know...?

[ She can't help but relax with a heavy sigh, a smile blossoming despite herself. Even after the Archdemon... could it really be possible? ]

Oh - [ Yes, desperately, but she bites her tongue. Maker forbid she seem overeager and childish to him when he'd had so many expectations. Robyn clears her throat lightly, then nods, considering. ]

... Leliana. She - You may not know her. We met her in the Chantry, but she came from Orlais. She was a bard and has vivid read hair; you would remember her if you had met before.

Oh, I know her. [ Brennan chuckles because here, at least, is someone he can talk about with some measure of competence. ] Are you sure you're ready for this? Brace yourself now. She's the new Divine.

Do you? [ Robyn lights up; the rogue had been her closest friend, after all, and she's delighted to hear more about what happened after the Blight.

Except, she isn't ready; her mouth falls open almost comically in surprise, following which she claps a hand to it. ]

What? You aren't serious? [ Andraste, to think that - But it isn't really that much of a surprise, is it? Considering everything. Her expression softens, but glows; she's proud, endlessly proud. ] That's - I can't believe it. Really, I can, but.

[ What do you say to that? ]

[ Brennan bursts out laughing at the expressions that cross her face, reaching over to pat her knee comfortingly. ]

Don't worry, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it myself. She's actually worked for me as my spymaster for the past year. I inherited her after the death of the Divine - she was Justinia's Left Hand. She and Cassandra, the Divine's Right Hand, were the ones that decided the Inquisition was needed after the woman's death. Her advice and assistance was invaluable - I don't think we could have accomplished what we did without her. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do now, once she leaves me for Orlais.

She did always know more than she let on. [ Robyn laughs lightly, flushing a little at his reaction to her reaction, clearing her throat and trying to look a little more serious. ] I'm sure she's missed Orlais, though; the way she always spoke of it, you could tell it had completely enchanted her as a young woman.

[ Maybe as an adult, and as the Divine, she's changed. ]

But she's older in your time, of course. It's so hard to keep track of things.

Her and Josie both. [ He chuckles fondly at that. ] I endured more discussions of fashion and culture and the Game over my war table than I did any sort of battle tactics. Cullen and I just sort of silently commiserated with one another and kept trying to find ways to change the topic. Except when they ganged up on him instead. Then it was just amusing.

[ The light-hearted banter falls away, shifts to a mingled expression of surprise and wariness at the mention of: ]

Cullen? Not the templar? [ Robyn seems taken aback, frowns deeply. The memory isn't old: a young man, broken, tortured, raving about taking the lives of every mage in the Circle Tower, innocent or otherwise. It's difficult to forget. ] Does he- But he hasn't tried to hurt Dorian, has he?

[ She hadn't done his bidding, no matter how desperately he'd cried; she could never slaughter those trapped in the Tower without any blood on their hands. Still, it's hard to forget how he had been, driven mad with the deaths of his friends.

Thankfully, the Knight-Commander had thought to do otherwise after order was restored, but the idea of the young man in the ranks of the Inquisition... ]

[ Brennan looks surprised that she knows him, then recalls where they must have met and winces, rubbing a hand over his face. ]

Ah. No. Actually, they're very good friends. They meet in the gardens to play chess at least once or twice a week. And he's not a Templar anymore. Cullen... He's changed a lot since you knew him in Kinloch Hold. Those were dark days for him. As was the time he spent in Kirkwall afterwards. But it opened his eyes at least. Got him through his blind hatred and fear. He joined the Inquisition to atone. At the start of it, he was still disinclined to distrust mages on principle, but... well. The Inquisition has changed a great many of us. For the better, I would hope.

He's actually the Commander of our forces. And our army is made up with just as many mages in its number as there are warriors, or ex-Templars, or anyone else. The Templar order is no more, not as it once was. They abandoned the Chantry to fight the mages and the Elder One preyed upon the weakness in their ranks and used up what was left of them. Cullen had walked away from them before that, fortunately for us. There were things he witnessed, experienced in Kirkwall that changed his mind about the good and right they claimed to do. He's a good man, Cullen. Despite everything he's been through.

[ It's difficult to believe. Not long ago, the man was raving and tortured to madness. But... ten years is a long time. And she supposes the Inquisitor has no reason to lie about this, right now, not any that she could imagine. ]

You're sure? Then... I'm pleased he could recover. He was-

[ More than a little out of sorts. She shifts, worrying at her lip. ]

I imagine the Circles are very different without the Order.

[ Brennan shakes his head. ]

They don't technically exist any longer. They dissolved into rebellion first, which is what caused the Templar's Order to make their own stand. There was wrong on both sides - a great many wrongs, or so I've heard. I didn't get involved in things until war had already raged for over a year. But things are more settled now. I hope the changes that were wrought make enough of a difference. Not everyone was happy with them, but no one could agree on what would be best to begin with.

[ It was still a mess, as far as he was concerned. But all sides were trying to find a way that worked. Everyone had had enough bloodshed.

Still it made for a grim topic, and not one really best suited for the day of her arrival. ]

But we've drifted from our topic. Is there anyone else you'd like to ask about? I'm a little surprised at the lack of mention about one name in particular. [ His tone is teasing as he shoots her a sideways glance, a hint of an impish smirk curling against his lips. ]

[ "More settled" is good. Not perfect and likely rosier than the truth, but she'll have to take it at his word. Robyn nods mutely, brushing away the images of the Cullen she'd known, trying to replace it with... well, someone modeled after Brennan's description.

It isn't easy. ]

-What? [ A faint blush creeps into the apples of her cheeks. ] I... hm. Am I that obvious?

[ It's embarrassing, to act like such a child in front of the supposed hero of Thedas. She clears her throat hastily, rearranging her legs in front of her. ]

I know that you mentioned he- that is, that Alistair is king. [ A relative surprise, given how much he hadn't seemed to want it. ] And that you'd had letters...

[ But she can't come out and ask am I anything to him, not when it makes her sound all the more like a little girl with a crush. ]

[ Brennan chuckles at her sudden embarrassment, his expression fond as he shakes his head. ]

Maybe not to most people. But I recognize someone dancing around a subject well enough by now. It's alright. I don't mind telling you what I know. I've met Alistair all of once, at Redcliffe, after the mages caused something of a fuss there and his uncle, Bann Teagan was having fits. I was trying to sort things for the mages when Alistair showed to settle the matter personally. We spoke a little, but not much, I'm afraid. We exchanged a few letters later on, it's true. I got the impression that he'd rather do just about anything than have to wrestle Orlesian politics. Not that i blame him. The Game is a nightmare.

[ He shudders for good measure, because he's no more fond of Orlesians most days than he is of bears in the Hinterlands. ]

But yes, other than that, your rule has been fairly prosperous and smooth, once you two settled that whole rebellion and Blight problem.

Edited (I know what tense I'm writing in I swear.) 2015-10-16 21:45 (UTC)

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject