"There are some complaints among the Magesterium."
"And in the morn, the sun rises." Severus waved off a lay brother offering wine, "But pardon me, your grace. Do you share their concerns?"
Marinus took a sip from his cup, "Well," then another, "holding the, erm, procedure in the Chantry will have ramifications, of a political nature."
"Yes, I realize that, and I do apologize, but it needed to be done."
"Something needed to be done, I agree. Though, I wonder if it needed to be so... theatrical. Many are calling it barbaric. Maker, this heat." Marinus removed his skufia, looking this way and that for a slave with a fan.
"Their deaths were only as painful as they wanted it to be. They were offered the Maker's mercy, and fortunately, most of them chose it. After they witnessed the alternative, at least."
Marinus cleared his throat, his face twisted by a sudden wave of nausea, "Ah, that is good to hear. I had to excuse myself after that first one, so I wasn't able to observe the whole event." He took a large gulp of wine.
"Mmm. 'Barbaric'. Would they have preferred Tranquility, I wonder?" Severus wiped his forehead with a cloth. As exquisite as the view was from the Chantry's balcony, weathering the midday heat did not seem worth it.
"By Hessarian, no. Though, truth be told, they would have voiced all manner of grievances no matter what you did, as you know."
Severus, tapped his fingers on the table, "Yes, such is the state of Tevinter. Remind them to exercise such common sense as to not break the law, to not support usurpation, and they complain."
Marinus' eyebrow perked up, "Or worse. I hear one of your agents was the target of an attempted reprisal?"
Severus glanced at him sideways, "Why, yes. It occurred before the execution, in fact. Predictable. It was of no consequence."
"That may be, Severus, but you must exercise caution. It is likely that these occurrences will continue, and get worse. You have many enemies in the Magesterium now."
"And many more families who would be all too happy to receive their seats. I'm not the only one who needs to tread carefully, they realize that. So, let the cowards scheme and complain. And should they openly move against me, against the will of our Archon and the Chantry..." He stood up from the table, "It will only make my job easier."
Marinus grinned, "Indeed. You are doing the Maker's work, Imperator. Of myself and the other grand clerics, you can rest assured that you have our support."
Severus gave a bow, "Thank you, your grace. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my duties. I thank you for your company."
"Of course, Imperator." Marinus kept his grin as Severus left for the main hall, relinquishing it as he passed through the threshold.