Thread: Scouts of the Inquisition (Alvis & Sync)

It was all happening too fastshe was having trouble keeping up with the rapid progression of events, events that were, in themselves, minor, but all linked together to provide a chain she couldnt keep up with. The young mage was still trying to come to terms with the fact that shed actually produced a spell that would qualify as being useful in a fight. At the same time she realised that Garrets stance had becomealmost defensive, and she figured she knew why. Disa was offering something that might pass for approval at her new-found magic. The other hunter whose name she still didnt know was protesting at her magic and the lack of chantry or Templar support. Disa was almost defending her against the hunter. Disa was telling her to rest in Garrets tent, at least while Garret was on watch. Garret was trying to help her settlea little, at least. Would she have to take watch? Maybe she would. Disa hasnt said anything about that, but she had to accept he might ask her to do so. She flicked a quick glance to Garret and nodded slightly. Thank you, Garret, she replied sincerely. Would she have to move when Garrets time on watch ended? Would they share the tent? What would that mean if they did share his tent? None of that really mattered now. For now, Disa and the hunter had retreated to their own tents, leaving just her and Garret standing in the drizzling rain. But she knew she had to address his concerns, if she could. Youre worried about what this means, my finding a strong spell, she offered quietly. The scout flushed faintly, but otherwise said nothing, and Loriel pushed on. Ive seen that look before a long time ago, true, but its not a look Im going to forget. Here I am, a slip of an elf-girl wielding magic that can kill quickly. How dangerous am I? How much more dangerous am I now that the circles are dissolved and Im free to choose my own path? Will I know if a demon tries to take me over? She gave a rueful smile as the two made their way towards what was, clearly, Garrets tent. The scout coughed softly. Well, Iyes, butwell, you have to admit- I know my own strength, Garret, she interrupted, her voice gentle yet firm. Ive been through The Harrowing. Few outside the Circles know what that means. If I tell youwould you like to know? Garret nodded, not sure what any other response but yes might mean. The Harrowing is a test that all mages face or at least used to, Loriel explained. Well, not all mages those who are deemed to be not strong enough to face it are made Tranquil instead. Those who undertake the Harrowing, though She paused, then sighed softly. We are sent into the Fade, just us and our will, to face and survive an encounter with a demon. If we fail, or take too long such that we might fail, the Templars kill us. Surviving our Harrowing means that we faced a demon and defeated it, or at least prevented it from defeating us. That I survived means I had the strength to prevail against the demon I encountered. I can saythe entire ritual was a rather unpleasant experience, and knowing that failure meant death She sighed softly. ThatI had no idea, Garret admitted quietly as he pulled the tent open and watched the young mage crawl in. Walking with Loriel was proving to be an eye-opening experience in ways he hadnt thought of...even though his fears hadnt been completely mollified but her explanation. Still, it was good to know that she at proved her strength. Maybe the Maker had put Loriel with their team to help them understand what it was that mages went through. Loriel smiled faintly in response. Few do, she agreed, looking up at him from the floor of the tent. Thank you for your conversation and company, Garret. So faryoure the only person I know that I could consider a friend. The scout smiled, a hint of embarrassment on his features. WellI just He really had no idea where he was going with his comment. Youre welcome, Loriel. He let the tent close, the material obscuring her from his sight. Get some rest. I will, the slightly-muffled voice of the mage replied. Garret walked away from the tent, found a small outcropping of rock not far from their camp. He climbed the rock and perched on it, the slightly-higher vantage point giving him a better view of their tents and his surroundingshed be able to see if something approached them. His mind drifted slightly, and he thought on what Loriel had told him. The Maker worked in strange ways, for sure. He believed fully in the Maker and the teachings of Andraste, buthad the Chantry of today gotten it right in their treatment of mages? Hearing Loriel speak, he wasnt so sure any more. Maybe this was all a test of faith by the Maker. It suddenly occurred to him that he had no idea where he was going to sleep when he was relieved of watch.