(muffled rap music in the background)

[theonly]

FORM: Sending crystal.
SENDER: Knight-Commander Stannis Baratheon.
RECIPIENT: Open to ALL.
WHAT: Stannis is displeased with what happened during the funeral and also the presence of the Rifters.
WHEN: Harvestmere 27.
WHERE: Skyhold.
NOTES: He is exerting power that he believes that he has rather than what he officially has been granted. The only control that he has been given is that over the Templars.

In accordance to what Knight-Commander Sauveterre stated, there are a few things to note.

One. Mages, congratulations, you have a Templar stripped of weapon and armor to assist in your duties for the day. That does not mean needlessly torture or harass the man. This is a lesson as well as a punishment. If word comes of such behavior, he shall be returned to his duties and you all will suffer the consequences. As for punishment to those who engaged in fights during the wake, it shall be left to you mages to decide. If no punishment is shown as being carried out, an answer will be given as to why.

Two. Rifters are assumed demons until further notice. Mages are advised to keep conversations with them to a minimum. Rifters, you are to police yourselves or a force will come to police you. It will be without shackles but you will feel the weight of the chain around your neck. Do not waste your good fortune and my patience.

Three. Templars who were part of the nonsense at the tavern will run ten laps about the courtyard in full regalia. Templars who stood by and did nothing will run five. Afterward, you lot can do the servants' chores until nightfall. Perhaps, you will then remember to whom we serve. Those that complain can earn their freedom of punishment in their immediate removal from Skyhold.

The rest of the Templar will be allowed a day of rest and mourning for the Herald. One that was not granted to you and one that woman deserves.

That is all.

Knight-Commander Stannis Baratheon

Comments

[equanimiti]

[Somewhere there's Alayre applauding and mentally singing this man praises while dreading the backlash to come. It's bound to be furious and tremendous, especially considering their stance on the Rifters. However, someone needed to say it.

Better Stannis than Alayre.]

Much appreciated.

[theonly]

Merely doing my duty.

[ fifteen minutes later]

[equanimiti]

...I trust there's a mob of 'supporters' for these Rifters forming.

[rathercommon]

[ A little incredulously: ]

Assumed demons? That's jumping to conclusions, isn't it?

[theonly]

Jumping to conclusions would be saying they are demons and killing them on sight as I would've.

But since those in charge believe they have worth enough to risk our stronghold with their presence, yes, it is only assumed.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin's sole response to this? Loud, sustained laughter.]

[theonly]

Finished? If not, do continue.

I am certain that sound is more intelligent than anything that could come out your mouth.

not here;

[amygdalae]

[Somewhere in Skyhold Bruce is sighing and facepalming quite a bit.

Guess who's going to go and apologize to the rifters personally if he sees them later.]

Re: not here;

[theonly]

[ DON'T APOLOGIZE TO POSSIBLE DEMONS, OMG ! ]

[foxsays]

So we are thought guilty even if our arrival and gaining of marks is much the same as the Herald you mourn? [If it weren't for that little detail about arrival, it'd be pretty easy to mistake her for a rather disgruntled Antivan.] You know that some of us didn't even know what a demon was until one rudely tried to slash us open as another attempted to freeze us solid?

[theonly]

How unfortunate for you.

A single miracle is beyond what I am willing to accept. Multiple ones? Sorry, you do not get to piggyback on her accomplishments and duty to the realm.

You want to not be seen as threats? Prove your worth.

[wontforgetyou]

[This sending crystal thing isn't like anything he's used before, but that doesn't stop him - just as it doesn't stop him from saying something when he finally does get it to work. He may sound like he's from Starkhaven, but he's not, not by a long shot.]

We're not demons. Why would we have fought them when we turned up here if we were?

[theonly]

How better to prove your innocence than with an act?

[fleurdesel]

Yes, by all means let the Templar that wasn't there decide if the Rifters are demons, surely he would know.

[theonly]

The opinion of a mage that has no respect for a wake is worth nothing.

...new!dad? :D

[lennethvalkyrie]

[The stern voice that issued from the 'message crystal' she'd been given caused Lenneth to start from her place at the battlements and stare at the small object in her hand. It sounded almost like the All-Father--although without the warmth that could often be found hiding behind his gruff demeanor and stern commands. It was not a difference that surprised her. Of course Odin had some love for his creations, even if they did sometimes act as recalcitrant children might. This man had not physically created the soldiers he held authority over, but even so, training a fighting force is still an act of making.

He would do better, she thought, to allow for some humanity.

That knowledge would not be passed by her most like, as a suspected demon. Dividing the fighting force would not do, however. Division in the ranks meant division on the battlefield, and she suspected the enemy would have no such distrust seeded within it. Very well. She was used to service, and proud of it.]

My Lord?

[Her voice came out cool and measured.]

I am Lenneth Valkyrie. I am, by your term, a 'rifter', and I understand your suspicion. Were I in your place, and this my world, I would undoubtedly have similar sentiments. I doubt those who appeared would have received as much lenience as we have been granted, especially were there the possibility that they were enemy spies... I am honestly rather grateful to have not been summarily executed or jailed.

Pleasantries aside, this is a war, and whether or not it is desired, we seem to be on the same side of it. There is already division between your Templar and your Mages, which is certain to be aggravated by the presence of the 'rifters' as an unknown element. Some kind of peace must be made if we are to be an effective force against an almost certainly unified foe.

I wish to volunteer to aid you in this. I will undergo any tests you may have to determine the extent of my abilities, and am content to receive orders.

[She opened her mouth to intimate it would be a mistake to group all the outworlders as one, but decided against it. One does not upbraid their commander in the same breath as they ask to aid them. After all, if she would find it impertinent, there was no doubt the Knight-Commander would as well.]

O////O

[theonly]

If you are willing and speak for yourself alone, there are ways to see. To force the demonic form forth. They can be painful even to one that is not a demon.

I am willing to trust one of you, and if it must be you then so be it. But do not sign up for what you will suffer to appease me if you are unprepared for what will come.

[nofury]

Understood.

[ Pleased as she is on the Commander's follow through, there are some things that should be spoken of in person. Which means she takes her day of rest to keep an eye out for the man.

(Ooor on an ooc note, mind if this goes into action tag?) ]

[theonly]

[ action would be fine, he's fielding the sending stone and making sure the templar are doing what they should be -- running all over, all over ]

[sandsofhell]

So I'm a demon now?

[theonly]

Do you intend to bore me with your tales of your innocence? Of how offended that you are?

You lot come into our world and attempt to prey on our weakness of heart. Those who command the Inquisition are free to have you here, and I respect them enough to say only what I believe you all to be.

Do you see the refugees that are already here? You all are adding to our numbers and an uncertain factor as to what you are. So, they want you part of the Inquisition? Fine. I say that you're demons to be watched and so you'll be watched only. You want me to not think of you as a demon? Prove your worth to the Inquisition and make the decision those in charge not be a mistake.

[cicatrices]

[ Cassandra sounds stern and dryly irritated, but when doesn't she? ]

It would do you well to remember, Stannis, that this is not your castle, the mages here are no longer your charges, and that these rift people have been offered our protection. No one is to be arrested or banished from Skyhold without Commander Cullen's order.

The Inquisition has not yet determined what brought these people through a rift to us nor what they are, but there have been no reports of them causing trouble since they arrived. We will not assume that they are demons until they do something to deserve such treatment. You should not bandy such words about so lightly unless you wish blood to be on your hands when you incite another brawl.

To all: you should know that he does not speak for the Inquisition, nor do we agree with his opinions. No doubt Josephine would use much prettier words, but there you have it.

not here.

[liberalum]

Dᴏʀɪᴀɴ Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

[theonly]

I will not argue with what your decisions are with the Inquisition. You have been chosen to lead it by the people that are here and I do not challenge your rule.

I say that the mages should control their own, that they should punish those that have done something punishable, that they should find themselves a leader. I say that the Rifters while granted our protection should aid to the burden of war, if they so choose, and that they shall be watched. I say for such an unknown in our midst that the mages should show caution. I say that those that cannot do this should be expelled from Skyhold by the order of those in-command, or by their own leave if they find living here too restrictive. And I say that they are assumed demons because I do not trust multiple miracles.

I will take what blood comes to my hands for my opinions as they are just that and control the Templar. You control your own and do as you will with that control.

[arlathvhen]

[ Beleth feels almost conflicted over how much she approves of this message. His words, with what Commander Cullen had relayed to her First, seem to indicate that templars are not being given free reign of Skyhold. That's comforting.

But she still trusts any templar as far as she can throw them. In full armor. She's not sure what to make of his comment on the rifters, either, but...Well. They did appear out of the Fade. And it's not her decision. She wishes that he'd put this on the bulletin board so she could send up an anonymous message. Instead, he gets a quiet, muffled voice. Like somebody put a cloth over the stone.

Probably because that's what she did. ]

Thank you for disciplining the troublemakers. Do you have any long term plans for cooperation, or are you just going to punish them every time they bother the mages?

[ She doesn't sound like she would be particularly against the latter option. She might watch the templars run the laps. ]