Re: [Grand Cathedral] (20 Parvulis)
Nodding towards what Urban said, Elise moved to stand near the window, gazing out at the city. "I love my country, my city, and my calling," she said softly. "I joined the Templars to serve. To find... purpose. I protect people, and I protect mages. But I am not certain what is happening now serves any of that." Her dark gaze turned back to them. "I ask you all to make your own judgements. Hear what I have to say, see Val Royeaux, and ask yourself if you believe it to be right."
She fell silent a moment. "There come times when we must take drastic measures. Annulling a Circle, for example. When it is overrun with demons and blood mages, no one would question such an action. However, the Divine has instated her own Templars in Nevarra as she sends their's to fight in the Free Marches. There are murmurings of Orlais attempting to conquer other countries while they are weakened. The Chantry should be separate, but the Divine has a closeness with the Empress that makes many question her loyalties. And there are the Warden mages. It is not a rumor. She sent them to Aeonar. If you know of it, you know they will die there to madness." A frown tugged at her mouth. "Historically the Wardens have been their own entity. Not to bend to the will of the Divine. Exempt because of the sacrifices they made. And yet we spit on that in such a way? It sits uneasily with many."
Her hands laced together behind her back. "Perhaps you believe that it might be necessary, to tighten control over mages... to prevent such an uprising here in Orlais, but if you look at Kirkwall it was precisely that tightening of the leash that led to what happened. Those in the highest ranks of the Chantry know what happened there. The Knight Commander was making mages tranquil for minor offenses. A letter, a look. Any excuse she could use. That is not what we do. We protect mages." Her hand tightened into a fist. "In the tower here the mages used to have some freedoms. They could leave their quarters and take a trip around the city. We have mages here to maintain the fires. They lived amongst us like anyone else. Now they can't leave at all. There are more Templars then ever stationed around the city, all but replacing the guards, yet still we cannot trust Enchanters and Mages who have passed their harrowing to even take a step outside their tower walls?" She shook her head. "They are afraid, and many of us are uneasy as well. Are we digging our own graves?"