[Dragon Age] Letters To Henry

3 - Choices

"I think if we can secure the area.." The Inquisitor, Lord Trevelyan begins leaning over the war table, pointing to a small spot with his finger. "This is where the reports have been coming from is it not?" He asks directing his eyes to his Spy Master, who nods in confirmation before settling on his Seeker. He looks worried, again. Lady Pentaghast watches him drop his eyes back to the map that is currently holding his attention, she watches him bite his bottom lip and his brow creased in deep thought. The Seeker hoped this would be resolved soon, she had another letter for the Inquisitor from his brother, burning a hole in her pocket.

"Yes Inquisitor, just outside Jader." Lady Pentaghast replies as he returns his gaze to her, he gives her a small smile looking grateful for her being there and always at his side when he needed her. Cassandra knew that he found it difficult having so much responsibility placed on his shoulders and so many people needing his help, but he did the best that he could and worked tirelessly to get to everyone. The Seeker knew they had been receiving reports for weeks from this area that people were being attacked on the trade routes and routes to Skyhold. The Inquisition had decided that they needed to intervene and stop these attacks happening but with two arguing noble houses in the vicinity, they didn't want to upset the balance and cause more problems for the local villages.

"We need to get the trade routes open." The Inquisitor says again leaning back from his position at the table, he crosses his arm across his stomach using it to rest his other elbow on. The Seeker watches him rub his fingers against his chin trying to decide what the best plan of action might be. "I don't want any more casualties on the road and I won't have people dying in their homes because their supplies have been stopped." Cassandra knew that the situation was difficult; both noble houses blamed each other for the attacks, throwing accusations around that it was sabotage and an attempt to besmirch each other's good names. The attacks had caused trade to slow and had meant those brave enough to attempt to reach them had started increasing their prices, but most of all their biggest concern was the regular families that were caught in the middle and quickly running out of food. They had arguing nobles marching their soldiers all over their homes and bandits taking advantage of the situation to burn them to the ground.

"They did nothing to deserve being caught in the middle of this situation." The Seeker adds as the Inquisitor just 'Hmmms' and nods in reply. "Both of the Lords have blocked the route with their men, they aren't letting supplies pass in either direction," Cassandra says leaning over the map; she taps the spot on the trade route where both have set up their sieges. "Those people will die if we don't do something soon." The Seeker watches his eyes move to her again, she knew he didn't need more peoples deaths on his hands but they had the chance to fix this.

"Maybe we can meet with them both, discuss the issues and try and resolve this before it turns into all-out war." Lady Montilyet sighs placing her hands on her hips. "It's not too late for diplomacy." She adds with a small smile and nod.

"They are both as stubborn as each other." The Commander sighs shaking his head, he crosses his arms over his chest. "I don't think diplomacy will work this time. We need to secure the area with our troops and force both of them back to their own lands. We can keep them both at bay while we deal with the bandit problem." Cullen adds unfolding his arms, placing both his hands on the hard wood.

"We risk war with them both if we go in with a heavy hand." Leliana, the Spymaster adds voicing her concerns. "You know I believe in action but we risk endangering more people if our action is too strong." Leliana says again looking to the Inquisitor. Everyone knew that he wanted to help and get things done, but his biggest concern was always the common man that got dragged into these situations.

"We need to be seen as strong, Leliana," Cullen replies banging his palm onto the war table. "We have a military force for a reason and this is it. You have provided us with the Intel and now we need to move in with our men. We haven't got time to waste on talking with them, move them both out of the way and deal with the bandits." The Commander says again, The Seeker feels him focus on her as if expecting her to back him up because she is a woman of military action too.