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[ingrid_kief]

"Hail. What news do you bring?"

Comments

Crystal

[judgemewhole]

Ingrid, I am only going to say this once. If you are dead, I am going to be extremely put out with you, and write a scathing letter to your commanding officer about your inability not to die when I ... order you to.

[A pause, a breath.]

I pray you still live.

[ingrid_kief]

I'm alive, James. It takes quite a bit to kill me, it seems.

...are you all right?

[judgemewhole]

Thank the Maker.

I - yes. I live. By the Grace of Andraste and some very quick movements, but I live.

What is happening in the Warden's Fortress?

[ingrid_kief]

...it's not a good situation. The Wardens... Not even just the mages, but nearly all the Wardens here...

...James, they are openly consorting with demons.

I could never in all my days have imagined-- If Ballard were still among them, I don't believe--

I will give you a full report upon my return. But... I don't think you're going to like it, ser.

[judgemewhole]

[There is a moment of silence, and a sharply inhaled breath. That was something that Merrill had failed to mention.]

I thought they were all locked away.

[He stilled, then stated simply.]

It will take us some time, but if you need Templar support -- we will be there, Ser - Ingrid. However, as you are the only trained templar there - I want you to be careful. If you find an opportunity to strike, take it, but do not take unnecessary risks.

[ingrid_kief]

I saw one with my own eyes. It... did not seem hostile, but this is not a situation where anything good can happen.

I will be careful, ser. You have my word. I have no wish to see anyone here hurt. Many of these Wardens I have known for years, and I would not see members of the Inquisition put in harm's way. I do wish you were here, but I will do my best to manage things. There are others here under my commanding officer I may be able to bring in too.

...there are many things I think we will need to talk of when I return.

[judgemewhole]

No, it is not. I knew it was mind control - I just did not realize it was so far spread.

[He breaths out slowly, before he frowns a little.]

Where is your commanding officer? Can I get him to you in time?

[A pause.] ... very well.

[ingrid_kief]

Depends. The leader of our order in the Anderfels, Knight-Commander Bodenolf Dehmer, has residence in Hossberg. But my direct superior officer is here in the city at Weisshaupt. The more difficult part will be getting them entry to the fortress.

How are things in the Western Approach?

[judgemewhole]

There is a man, who is with Merrill. His name is Malcolm Reynolds. If I get a message to your Knight Captain, will he be able to help you if Reynolds can get him inside?

[There's a pause, before he sighed.] Things are ... if you can believe it, getting to some state of normalcy. With the death of the Nightmare demon, the return of the others - missions are being handed out to follow the other threads we've found here. My men and I are finishing up with the Venatori.

[ingrid_kief]

Malcolm Reynolds? I have seen him, but do not know him personally. I will see what I can do.

That is good news. And that is something that I can use here to gladden my heart. I have had a little here.

[judgemewhole]

Good ... good.

[A pause, and then a quieter tone.] I am sorry. This must be hard for you with -- well. With your husband's passing. To see how the Wardens are, right now.

[ingrid_kief]

Thank you. Perhaps the Maker chose to take him when he did to spare him this tragedy.

But it has not been all bad. I have been able to visit my sister in the chantry, and my brother and father at our farm. My nephew grows swiftly.

[judgemewhole]

Perhaps He did. If so, I pray he has peace -- and he knows his other brothers and sisters are doing what they can to honor the Warden beliefs.

[His tone sounds almost ... wistful.] I have not been home in many years - are you close with your own family?

[ingrid_kief]

By the Maker's grace, I hope so.

As much as I can be. I don't get to visit often either. Of all of them, I see my sister Olga most.

[judgemewhole]

[He knows this conversation has gotten off target -- but he cannot help himself.] So the two of you are very close?

[Then a pause.]

Ingrid, how close are they to the Fortress?

[ingrid_kief]

Ja. She is a year younger than me. We have been through everything together.

[A moment's sober pause.]

Olga is closest. She is a sister in one of the chantries in the city. The family farm is a few miles outside Weisshaupt city.

[judgemewhole]

She sounds like a very lovely girl ... you must care about one another a great deal.

[He pauses again.]


If you need to send your family to us, we'll keep them safe.

[ingrid_kief]

She is.

James... Danke schoen. That.... It means a great deal.

[judgemewhole]

Is she a Sister, a lay sister, or a Mother?

[She would be a young mother - but with so much of the clergy gone ...]

Family is precious, Ingrid. We must protect them, however we can.

[ingrid_kief]

She is a Sister. She has taken her vows.

Thank you. For understanding.

[judgemewhole]

Then she should be safe within the Chantry walls .. but if that is not so, please send her along with your father and brother.

[He chuckled.]

I bowed, automatically.

[Oh James.]

Suffice to say - I will do what I can to protect what is important.

[ingrid_kief]

I hope she will be.

James, I--

[Awkward pause.]

You have my deepest gratitude, ser. Walk in the Maker's light. I promise a report as soon as I can provide one in detail.

Backdated to Weisshaupt

[judgemewhole]

Ingrid - Merrill has sent me a message that all has fallen to chaos. Please, contact me with information as soon as you are able.

[ingrid_kief]

Chaos? No, ser. Chaos implies it was random. This is madness.

[judgemewhole]

Are you hurt? Has anyone died?

[ingrid_kief]

I am unhurt, though there are several Wardens who cannot say the same. No deaths I have been informed of, but these demons... They seem to be everywhere. We have been taken from our rooms in dead of night with no explanation given. I never thought the Wardens would stoop to this.

[judgemewhole]

Nor did I ... although I thought they would eventually fall back to baser desperation when pushed to it. Do you need an escort out? Are you still in the fortress proper?

[ingrid_kief]

For now. But I think I will be all right.

Malcolm... he was not able to bring in the other templars. But I think we are lucky things were not worse.

[judgemewhole]

I hope so. I... will keep a look out for you, on the road to Skyhold.

[There was a long pause.] Are they ... dead?

[ingrid_kief]

...you mean the Wardens or the other Templars? The Templars are fine, as far as I know. We just could not get them entry. But I have sent reports. They know of what is happening here.

[judgemewhole]

I meant the Templars -- but good, good. [There is a more hesitant pause.] Will you be staying in the Anderfels, then?

[ingrid_kief]

...you mean, will I be leaving your command? Ah... No, actually. I will return to Skyhold at the soonest after this is dealt with.

[Can you see her blushing, James? 'Cause she totally is.]

In truth, I... struggled at my post here before I went south. My captain here... believes you are due credit for my great improvement. I am to stay with you until further notice.

[judgemewhole]

Ah! Good. Yes, good. [And a faint clearing of his throat.]

That you've improved under, ah, my command. And of course to keep you. Here. With our people.

[You are not the only one, Ingrid.]

[ingrid_kief]

I am glad too. I... have missed your leadership, ser. It will be good to see you again.

[judgemewhole]

It will be good to see you as well. Once you are, ah, safely arrived.

Which will hopefully be soon.

[ingrid_kief]

I promise, ser. Yours will be the first face I seek upon returning.