Here's something i've been working on for the past couple days. Yay 2500!
(CULLEN leans over a table. Papers are spread out across it, listing the men and women who have left Kirkwall and surrounding Chantry's Orders. CARVER steps into the room. He's holding more paper, which he sets on top of the others CULLEN is reading)
CARVER: Three more deserted today.
CULLEN: Three? Damn it!
(CULLEN punches a table. A goblet rattles, and CARVER grabs it before it topples onto the stack of papers.)
CARVER: You had to expect this, Knight-Commander. Most of Kirkwall's men were Merideth's, not the Order's.
CULLEN: The Order... Was any of it for the Order?
CARVER: Knight-Commander?
CULLEN: What Merideth did. What Alrik did. How many Templars did what they did for the Order?
CARVER: Merideth went mad, ser. Alrik...
CULLEN: You've been here almost as long as I have, Carver. Did you suspect nothing? Or...
(CARVER steps back from the table. His faced is flushed.)
CARVER: Are you suggesting that I would let Alrik--
CULLEN: No. Not that. I just wonder...
(CULLEN steps away from the table and toward the windows overlooking the city.)
CULLEN: How many of those people joined to take advantage of those we swore to overlook? And how long did I allow my belief in what we stood for blind me to those intentions?
CARVER: I...
(CARVER falls silent. CULLEN glances back at him, a sardonic smile across his face.)
CULLEN: Just who are the monsters, Carver? People like your sister, or people like me?
???????: A fair question.
(Both men turn to the doorway. A hooded woman stands there. Her armor has the insignia of a white eye surround by a sunburst. CULLEN bows in respect.)
CULLEN: Seeker.
(CARVER jumps. Then mimics the bow. The hooded woman merely laughs.)
???????: So formal! There is no need. I am Sister Nightingale.
(The woman removes her hood, revealing red hair. CULLEN frowns at her. SISTER gives a slight shake of her head. CARVER looks on, confused.)
CULLEN: Word of your arrival has reached us here, Sister. Your... conversation with Tethras will be common news before noon.
SISTER: I had heard secrets do not live long in Kirkwall. Especially around the Merchant Prince. It seems this is true.
CARVER: Have you come for me, next?
(CULLEN looks at him, brow furrowed. CARVER offers a wry grin.)
CARVER: This is about my sister, yes? Well, then I can tell you she hasn't made contact with me since she fled Kirkwall with Anders. To be fair, I'm not sure what I would tell you if I knew where she was.
CULLEN: (hissing) Maker's mercy, Carver!
SISTER: (laughs) It's alright, Knight-Commander. I am satisfied with his answer. If he did not turn her into the Circle for seven years, why would he start now?
(CULLEN shakes he head.)
CULLEN: Then why have you come?
(SISTER walks into the room and stands at the table. She looks over the papers, eyes sad.)
SISTER: We need loyal hearts, Knight-Commander. The Champion is a symbol, one which could inspire people to our side.
CARVER: Is your side her side?
SISTER: (looks up) I would like to think so.
CULLEN: But you can't have the Champion. I'm certain she and Anders are planning on leading the war effort. Or they're in the Tevinter.
SISTER: Perhaps. But just because we've lost our symbol doesn't mean we have lost our cause.
(SISTER finally steps back from the table. She walks to CULLEN and CARVER. She smiles at CULLEN, and he flushes faintly.)
SISTER: What do you know of the Inquisition, Cullen?