[Dragon Age] Letters To Henry

18 - Daniel

Lady Pentaghast slips through the large door of the Ostwick Chantry, glancing around at the building she has entered with great interest. It is much smaller than many of the Chantries she has visited previously with the Divine, but she can see that a lot of love and attention has been put into it and that it appears to be used very regularly by the families that live in Ostwick. She notices the candles that have been lit and dotted around giving the room a warm glow in the otherwise dark, the only other light that fills it comes from the open doors she has stepped through. When she lets her eyes travel to the pews, she is sure she has never seen as many people squashed into one room like this before. Even at breakfast in Skyhold when the Great Hall was full of hungry bellies, you could still find somewhere to perch. The Seeker immediately notices that although there are hundreds of people all trying to find a place to sit in the small amount of wooden seating, it is extremely quiet and there is only a hushed amount of noise from peoples quiet whispering to the person next to them.

The Seeker feels The Commander place a comforting hand on her arm letting her know that he is going to find a seat for himself somewhere close to the back, she looks to him when he motions his head towards the front with a nod and smile.

"Thank you." Cassandra mouths the words to him as quiet as she can when he squeezes her arm again before moving away from her. The Seeker watches him apologise and excuse himself as he weaves through a group of Nobles that are gathered together when she is sure he has found a seat she turns her attention back to finding the Inquisitor.

Lady Pentaghast trails her eyes around the room again taking in the beautiful coloured windows and fabric draperies that hang around them, the high ceiling with the ornate carving and hanging chandeliers. She lets her eyes finally drop to the wooden coffin that has been set at the front for everyone to see, covered in a flag and banner with the Templar insignia displayed proudly. Cassandra notices that flowers have been scattered around Lord Henry's current resting place and a painting of him in his best Templar armour has been placed on top. The Seeker always found death customs so strange in Thedas, even though she had spent a long time away from Nevarra she was used to the traditions of her home. She had lived with her Uncle long enough to find City's of Death the norm. The Chantry found Nevarra's actions strange and frightening, not believing that bodies of the dead should ever be left in tombs or crypts, or walking around like un-dead. They believed as did most of Thedas that a body should be burned as Andraste had been and given to the family.

"Cassandra!" The child's shout draws her attention away from the coffin and to the direction that she hears her name being shouted, The Seeker notices that several people that were previously whispering to each other look up and begin tutting. She ignores their scorn and whispering when she sees Jack running towards her, dodging the crowds that are beginning to push to try and get as close to the front as they can.

"Jack." Cassandra smiles and crouches down when he throws himself at her, wrapping his arms around her in a hug that she gladly receives and returns. The Seeker places her hands on his back wondering how awful this whole experience must be for him. "You look very handsome today. Just like your Uncle." The Seeker whispers when he pulls away from her taking her hands, she sees that he has been dressed in his finest dark clothes and someone has worked very hard to try and keep his unruly dark hair flat against his head.

"Why didn't you come with us?" Jack asks tilting his head to the side with his question; Cassandra gives him a small smile placing her hand on top of his head as she stands. "Uncle Ashton was sad without you." He adds reaching to wrap his arms around her waist again.

"I had something to do, but I'm here now." Lady Pentaghast replies feeling him squeeze her even tighter, whether he was her lover's son or not she was becoming very fond of this boisterous child. The Seeker looks up to see that the Trevelyan family are gathered at the front by the first two pews; she sees that friends and admirers are talking to Lord William and Lady Louisa. All of them desperate to give them their condolences and touch their hands, looking sadly at the grieving wife who sits silently in the pew staring straight ahead.