The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

"Is it wrong for her to not wish you to? For her to wish you to remain safe? Is it wrong to ask you not to seek it out, to accept some measure of risk but not the inevitability of death?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

"I don't know!" Haliel wails, though she instinctively keeps her volume low. "My teachers never said I should sacrifice myself for others, not outright but... it felt... Some of the stories, the way they phrased things, it- that ideal, the degree of selflessness, it was made out as... holy. But they also said that it was better to let you and Varric be hurt, that politics," she spits the word, "was worth more than helping people. That I shouldn't help Marian or you or- that I was worth more at the temple talking to rich people than helping the poor or comforting the sick. I just- my faith in Bastion is unwavering. His ideals are the basis for my very soul. But... but I find that I cannot deny that shadows of doubt have formed about His church," she finishes in a shameful whisper.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This is... not an uncommon sentiment," says Helene, slowly.

[Haliel Lightsong]

"It- what?" Haliel asks, confused and startled. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Many who are devout or have a strong personal connection to their deity find the church lacking, even in Draslina. There is always an aspect of interpretation when mortals attempt to implement pure dogma, and no mortal knows all of what their deity stands for, not even myself. For example, I have little patience for those who focuse purely on magic and dream, and neglect intellect and knowledge. It is very common to break with the church that one called home during their youth, as they grow beyond what it can provide."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"I- you mean that... that it's just... I've just... what, outgrown the training temple? How is that... that's possible? I mean, it just feels... it's not like they're wrong, exactly, entirely, just..." Haliel rubs at her face, trying to prevent the tears brimming in her eyes from spilling over. "It just feels... incomplete. And... and then there's Astea," she whispers guility.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Worship of a deity should complete you, not hold you back. If you are being held back, bound by stipulations you do not feel exemplify and uplift, then you should find another temple. There are hundreds, each slightly different."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Another temple? What if... what if you feel... "Can- is it possible to serve two gods?" she blurts out.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Possible, of course. If they are not in conflict. Easy, no. And for a Paladin, more difficult still."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"I- difficult doesn't matter," Haliel says stubbornly. "As long as- as long as it still counts. I mean, as long as it's... not... offensive? Disrespectful? To Them, I mean."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Not if they agree. This one can ask, of course?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel's eyes widen and she swallows repeatedly. Finally, she nods tightly. "B-Bastion and Astea," she whispers, realizing as obvious as it must be, she should give it the weight of spoken words. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one can reach out to Bastion's Herald and ask if this is an acceptable arrangement. This one suspects it is, but this one similarly suspects certainty would be welcome?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel nods, looking both grateful and guilty. "I- I don't wish to be a- a bother or..." she adds.

[Helene Dakesh]

"It is no trouble. This one will prepare the spell when this one prays shortly, and shall cast the spell after breakfast."