Well. Let's talk about something else, shall we?

The rocks here are very nice. Dawnstone is a lovely color, especially!

And the untouched snow, just at sunrise; it's beautiful! Like a painting, like it was placed there just to be beautiful, to make even a place like this look peaceful.

[ A thoughtful hum- ]

The birds that are still here are quite lively, too! The wild ones and the Inquisition ravens, all moving between their perches and searching for food.

Or... or the children in the village, when they're outside, playing their games! Not that they're outside much, it's cold and very dangerous, but that's why we're here...

[ There's a soft, almost hiccup of a breath. ]

We don't need to fight among ourselves, do we? We have enough enemies, as the Inquisition and as people. We don't have an Inquisitor or a Keeper or someone who can keep everyone together despite our differences.

[ They don't have Hawke, who Merrill misses desperately right now. Even if Hawke couldn't fix this, there would at least be some sort of quip that would make her think everything would be okay. ]

Everything out there -- it doesn't have to do anything if we keep fighting like this, if we destroy ourselves from inside. But we're all here, aren't we? We want to help the world, to fix what's wrong.

So- don't make it harder. Please?

[Norrington is out at dawn, posting these around Skyhold. He has to return to Emprise du Lion this morning, but he did not feel right leaving this particular wound open. Let them bandage it, carefully, and move on to more important matters.]

To The Inquisition;

A fellow Templar of mine recently spoke, read ranted, to you about how he felt there was a general lack of faith in the Inquisition. I am not here to make apologies for him - he is a grown man and knows what apologies need to be made, and to whom.

I will simply say this.

Faith is not a matter of believing in 'just the Maker' or 'just the Creators' or 'just the Goddess of the Sky', or 'just' in anything. Faith is never 'just'. Faith is as far reaching as the oceans, and it is not just one kind of faith, but all kinds of faith, that makes up the Inquisition. I believe in the Maker, in Andraste. You may believe in Korth. You may believe in Mythal. You may believe this is all hogswallow, but you believe in your friends and family who have joined. Belief and faith bind us to one another, no matter what those beliefs are, what we have faith in, because we believe in one thing together.

The Inquisition.

If we did not believe in it's cause - then we would not be here. We all joined for different reasons - I because of the Divine, and the Hands, perhaps you because of the Avvar gods, or the Elven Gods, or because you wished to kick Corypheus directly in the balls. Whatever the reason - we did it because we believed the Inquisition was the only way to save our world.

I have faith in such an amazing force as ours. I believe we are the Maker's chosen, Andraste's warriors. If you do not believe that? Then that is fine. I hope you believe in something, or someone. I hope you will not disrespect my beliefs, as I will strive not to disrespect yours.

For those of you who do believe in the Maker, and Andraste, and all Their good works -- I am here to invite you to a weekly Prayer Meeting. I can understand my brother's anger, there has been a lot of doubt for all. If you are seeking to speak to others about those doubts, or if you are simply looking to hold a hand of a brother or a sister, I welcome you to join us at the Temple of Andraste, just off the gardens.

For those who don't believe, but are curious, please feel free to join us as well, and we will be happy to speak of Andraste and the Maker.

For those who wish to mock and detract -- I'll meet you in the tavern afterwards. Whoever wins the theological argument buys the drinks. And no, I will not be defending the Chantry. The Chantry can defend itself, and will, once it recovers from its grief, if that is ever possible.

I leave with this, the words of the great Divine Justinia herself. Someone who was at the meeting of the White Spire recorded them, and I strive to live up to their example every day. I am paraphrasing, as it was a speech made about the better treatment of mages, but I think it can be applied to every last one of us.

We possess a responsibility to those who serve us ... If there is to be peace, it cannot be accomplished through threats and demands.

I thank you for reading this, and hopefully not destroying it with penises.

Sincerely,
James Norrington
Knight Commander
New Templar Order of the Inquisition