Haven For All I

There is the sound of people, hard at work, refugees seeking asylum, and the penitent making the pilgrimage to the temple's remains...

The Breach has stabilized thanks to Malika's efforts with her mark, and she now rests after that terrible ordeal...

It's been three days... And now she wakes... in a bed... One of the softest she has ever been in... In her entire life...

Mmmm... So soft... Wait... Since when was my cot this soft, fluffy, and warm? Hmmm... Who cares? I'm probably dead anyway, at least the breach is gone. And I finally get to sleep on a cloud.

Malika begins to cocoon herself in the plethora of blankets and furs on the bed, reveling in the warmth... Until a creak is heard and her instincts force her to wake and dive out of her small nest searching her surroundings for anything to use as a weapon... Only to scare the shit out of some poor little elf girl carrying a crate of what looked to be dwarven armor...

"It's you? You're awake... Lady Cassandra said to see her at once..." The young elf girl cowls and begins to make for the door...

"Wait, who are you? Where am I?!" Malika questions the fleeing elf.

"At once she said..." The elven girl shouts as the door slams shut.

Left alone in the small shack, Malika begins to survey her surroundings. A warm, crackling fireplace, a desk with some doctor's notes, some crates of random supplies, and the box that that nervous elf girl dropped... I should apologize for scaring her so badly... Later... It seems that some decent craftsman modeled a new set of gear for me out of the old gear I was wearing when we attempted to seal the Breach. And after getting outfitted in the new gear, some pants, a light blue shirt, a set of bandoliers, and a new leather chest piece, pauldrons, grieves, and even a solid helmet that fit around her horns perfectly, huh, it is even lined with velvet... Now that is what I call VIP treatment. Malika pears out the window and studies her surroundings. It appears to be a small town near the Breach... Which is still open, she silently curses to herself before heading out... Where she was greeted with silent whispers, darting stares, and oddly enough... Salutes? Making her way through small houses, tents, and a tavern... She makes a note to hit it up later, once she's finished getting chewed out for not dying when sealing the damned Breach. Once in the Chantry Hall, she hears the echoes of what sounds to be Cassandra and the Chancellor fighting over whether to kill me, send me to trial, or make me stick around and seal all the other rifts cropping up everywhere. Maker... Can life get any more complicated?

"I'm telling you Seeker, the prisoner is guilty." The Chancellor seems to be saying that every other breath.

"And I'm telling you, Divine Justinia called to the prisoner in her time of need, that coupled with the fact she nearly died attempting to seal the Breach has cleared my suspicions of her motives." Cassandra adamantly held her ground, refusing to yield her position to the arrogant man.

Huh... I may have misjudged the hairy eyeball, but I'm not going to let someone else fight my battles.

Malika pushes open the door, to join in on the heated discussion.

"But she isn't dead Seeker, for all we know she planned it this way." The Chancellor pauses before calling to the guards, "Guards, guards, arrest the prisoner and prepare her for transportation to Val Roux."

"Belay that order. The prisoner will remain here." Cassandra states with the authority of a veteran warrior.

"Um... Don't I get a say in any of this?" Malika questions the fairly peeved duo.

"No," says the Chancellor. But Cassandra quickly overrules him.

"Yes, of course, you do, you can stay here and help us seal the rifts or you may leave with Chancellor Roderick," Cassandra says rather poignantly.

"Wow, such great options..." Malika responds with obvious sarcasm in her voice.

"And under who's authority?! The Chantry will not support another rebellion in the making!" Chancellor Roderick became almost hysterical in his denouncement of the seeker's actions.

"Divine Justinia's authority," Cassandra says slamming a rather large book with a hairy eyeball with a sword through it, on the back room's table. "This is a writ from the Divine herself, outlining the revival of the Inquisition, in order to bring order should the Conclave fail. We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval!" Her voice echoed indignation throughout the stony back room.

With that Chancellor Roderick walks away, slamming the door behind him.

"This is the Divine's Directive: Rebuild the Inquisition of old, find those who will stand against the chaos... We aren't ready. We have no leader. No numbers. And now, no chantry support." Liliana says, circling the table with her eyes before resting them on Malika... And the machinations of her mind begin to whirl.

"But we have no choice: we must act now. With you at our side." Cassandra turns to Malika as well. Who them looks to both of them like they're daft.

"Yes, because who needs a leader, money, supplies, or an army to fight a giant demon spewing arse hole in the sky, when you've got one plucky, Vashoth mage with an attitude and a heart of gold?" Malika says, rolling her eyes.

"You jest, but surely you see that you are already involved? And we shall find the support we need in time. Of that I have no doubt, for our cause is just. But, we shall be in need of your assistance in closing the numerous rifts that have sprung up across Thedas... We... No, I implore you... Please assist us in reforming the Inquisition." Choking up towards the end, it's painfully obvious that Cassandra is inexperienced in the art of groveling.

"Woah, I never thought I'd hear the day. The seeker is actually begging for someone to help her. Priceless!" Varric walks in, chuckling as he makes his way to the table.

"Silence! I was not begging, I was simply... Being... Polite? Regardless, I was awaiting Lady Adaar's reply." Cassandra huffs as she turns her back on Varric.

"Aw shucks Miss Hairy Eyeball, I just can't say no to those adorable puppy dog eyes of yours. I'm in, but on just one itsy bitsy condition." Malika says as she brings her thumb and forefinger together.

"I do not have puppy dog eyes!" Cassandra huffs indignantly, "But whatever you need, so long as it is within reason, I'm sure no one here would be opposed to aiding you in your request." She looks around the table with everyone nodding in affirmation.

"Good, my request is fairly simple. As far as I know, my company is still missing, all I'd like is to locate them and get them to safety. To that end, I'd like to start a coordinated search effort for both my men and any other survivors of the explosion, while the rest of you focus on establishing this Inquisition. Because, Sorry to say this... But four people in the back room of a homely chantry, do not an Inquisition make." Malika concludes with a smug smile.

"Welp gotta agree with her there seeker. I'll start looking up my old contacts to see if they're in the mood to support the guys trying to give that hole-in-the-sky constipation." With that shitty joke, Varric departs to start writing letters.

"Ugh, you are disgusting Varric... Anyways, I'll go and speak with whichever troops are stationed nearby and a friend I have in the Templars who may be of assistance." With that, Cassandra makes for the door.

"And I shall get in touch with my friends in Orleas. As well as a good friend whom I think will be of immense assistance in the days to come." With that Liliana leaves the room for her tent outside the chantry.

"Soooo... I guess I'll go organize a search party?... This is stupid... Who am I even talking to?" With that Malika huffs and goes to the tavern looking for anyone willing to help in the search... And maybe a drink or two?