*Disgusted Noise* (handofthedivine) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-09-19 22:43:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, cassandra pentaghast |
Who: Cassandra Pentaghast
What: A dream of the Chantry and the Chant of Light. (AKA: A poetic primer for the main religion of Thedas)
When: Last night
Where: Orlais
Status: Complete
Rating: Pg
Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls.
From these emerald waters doth life begin anew.
Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you.
In my arms lies Eternity.
-Andraste 14:11
Blessed are they who stand before
The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.
Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.
-Benedictions 4:10
For the first time in her life, Cassandra felt at peace. She felt like she knew her place in the universe and the truth of faith. The chantry was beautiful. The sound of the worshippers, the clank of armor from the Templars all served to make her feel at home.
And it was the Templars that Cassandra was suited for. She learned the sword, and the shield and the spear. She learned to redirect magic against those hated, hated mages. Above all she learned the truth. She sought it out in everything they did, excelled at finding the answers to questions she wasn't supposed to be asking. Her superiors didn't like that. It didn't matter. She didn't serve them.
She served Andraste, and the Divine.
"Andraste was the prophet, and the bride of the maker." She recited, from memory. "Long ago, the Old Gods turned Humanity away from it's creator, and thus the Maker turned away from the world. But Andraste sang to the gods, asking them to help her people be freed from slavery, and her voice reached Him. So captivated was He by her voice, that He offered her a place at His side."
She turned to face her teacher, arms stiff at her side. The more she spoke of Andraste and her teachings, the more alive she felt. She continued, "After the First Blight, she led the Exalted Marches against the magisters of Tevinter. She called upon the Maker to help their rebellion, and through flood, and drought and famine, she free'd the south. Before they could march on the Imperium itself, her mortal husband burned her at the stake. The Maker turned from humanity once again, for this was the second sin."
For the first sin was when the mortals of Tevinter stepped into heaven, and turned the golden city black. They were cast down, and from them came the Blight, and the Darkspawn. They, in turn, corrupted the Old Gods.
"The Tevinter Archon who ordered the execution felt mercy and pity as Andraste burned, and he pierced her heart with his sword. It was he who brought the Chant to Tevinter."
Cassandra finally belonged. As the waking world began to intrude, an older man approached. One of her trainers, and a man she respected deeply.
"Ser Byron," She said, bowing. She straightened, smiling tightly at him. Excited, "Next week I earn my rank."
"Cassandra. I would like to talk to you. I think I know of a better way for you to serve the Divine."
Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
In their blood the Maker's will is written.
-Benedictions 4:11