The Lion of the Inquisition

The Divine Conclave

The sun crept over the peaks of the Frostback Mountains, making the freshly fallen snow glitter and shine in the morning light.

Mornings in Haven were usually uneventful. One would normally hear prayers and songs ringing out from the Chantry, echoing throughout the valley. One would also hear sword clashing against sword and the war cries of the Inquisition forces training on the banks of the frozen lake. One would see merchants at their stalls selling their wares and the blacksmiths bent over their forges. But not today.

For days, people from all over Thedas and beyond had gathered in the Valley of Sacred Ashes to be present for this historical event, the Divine Conclave. After four long years of war and death, the mages and templars had agreed to meet to negotiate a peace between them. There were people stretched all across the valley beneath the Temple of Sacred Ashes were the Conclave would take place. Everyone was on edge today, waiting for the outcome of the meeting that would occur that very afternoon.

Cullen Rutherford stood in front of the Chantry, overlooking the scene below. He couldn't believe that this day had finally arrived. He never imagined that after the battle of Kirkwall, that there would ever be peace between the mages and templars again. So much hatred and bloodshed had prevented peace talks in the past but Divine Justinia had finally convinced the two factions to meet together. He smiled to himself, but became stoic again as he sensed someone walking up behind him.

"Good morning, Commander," Josephine greeted him as stood beside him.

"Good morning, Ambassador," he replied, still lost in his thoughts.

"Today is the big day," she sighed, looking over the crowds nervously.

"Hmm," he replied, finally glancing in her direction.

Josephine Montilyet stood there looking at him, holding her scribe tablet and wearing her usual Orlesian garb. She had a diplomatic smile stretched across her face but he could tell that she was analyzing a million things at that moment. She always seemed to be a couple steps ahead of everyone else, always thinking of a diplomatic solution to every situation.

"So have all the delegates arrived," he asked her.

"Yes and no. Knight-Commander Marteu arrived with the majority of the templars yesterday," she replied

"Yes, I spoke to him yesterday. Wasn't a very pleasant conversation. He called me a deserter and a fanatic for becoming part of the Inquisition. I just smiled and nodded like you taught me," he said with a smirk. "But I haven't caught a glimpse of Grand Enchanter Fiona yet."

"Well, that's the thing," she paused a moment, "She isn't coming".

"WHAT?!" Cullen exclaimed, not even trying to hide his shock or anger.

"We received a raven stating that she feared that it was a trap and would be sending her closest advisor to take her place. The Divine and myself can not think of way to break this news to the Knight-Commander," she sighed, the lines on her face showing her worry and confusion.

Cullen crossed his arms and looked back over the valley. "This could spell an end to the peace talks. Knight-Commander Mateu will consider this an act of mistrust and thus give him a reason to say no to the whole arrangement. Personally, I wouldn't blame him."

How could the Grand Enchanter do this? If she didn't believe the templars, then she should have trusted the Divine to assure her safety. She may have spelled the end of her people and any hope of reconciliation. Cullen had dealt with his anger and suspicion of the mages for years now, but this was starting to drive the nail into the coffin.

"What about the other delegates? I heard there would be representatives from some of the Chantries throughout Thedas. Not sure why they need to be involved though," he said trying to hide his distaste for the Chantry.