Rose Garden: Rose of Grace

Chapter 12

 Now that the yard was free of lunatics, it was much easier to get to the large wooden doors of the Chantry. Sunny sat outside as my human companions followed me inside. Leliana exchanged greetings with the guard at the door.

The Chantry was small, but large enough to be filled with refugees. A man in the flaming sword armor was getting a report from two others and the saluted as they walked away.

"Excuse me." I say going over.

"Yes, my lady? Who might you be?"

"You can call me Grace."

"I am Ser Bryant, commander of the Lothering Templars. You don't seem like the other refugees. Are you one of Arl Eamon's knights?"

"I'm a Grey Wardens actually."

"I...see. Teryn Loghain declared all Grey Wardens traitors, responsible for the king's death. You know this, I hope?" Damn it Loggy! You can't just leave things alone can you?

"The Grey Wardens did no such thing." I defend.

"I don't believe the Grey Wardens would be as careless or malicious as the Teryn claims, but either way, there it is. It is best you not linger, though. Just... in case."

"Are you in charge here?" I ask. If he is I probably made a mistake telling him I'm a Warden in this new light painted by Loggy.

"The revered mother leads this flock, I merely command her templars. Normally, our role is to protect the chantry and seek out unsanctioned magic. For now, it is all we can do to protect the innocent."

"Right. Oh, about those bandits outside the city..."

"Makers breath! How many times must we drive them off?"

"One less. We drove them off ourselves."

"Indeed? They're gone?"

"It's true." A nearby templar says. "I saw the basard running for the hills myself."

"That's an impressive feat, indeed! Will you accept a small reward for your efforts?"

"Certainly, thank you."

"Please take this. Now, if there is nothing else."

"Oh where is the revered mother?"

"In her study I believe. The room to the right up ahead."

"Thank you." I head to the room and Alistair stops to talk to someone he knows. Morrigan sits on a pew, leaving Leliana and myself to speak with the mother ourselves. When we walk in an elderly woman is sitting on a chair. Her robes are more decorated than Leliana's and her presence was quite majestic.

"Good day, Sister Leliana. I'm surprised to see you're still in Lothering." She says.

"It is good to see you as well, your Reverence."

The revered mother looked at me.

"I do not recognize your companion, Greetings. Will you be making a donation to the chantry? Our need has never been greater."

"What tithe is acceptable?"

"Might I suggest thirty silver?"

"Very well." I take out my coin purse and giver her the thirty silver.

"Thank you, dear woman. What can I do for you then?"

"I want to talk about Sten, the Qunari you imprisoned."