"You don't want to turn the world on its head?"

"To what end?"

"Fun? Chaos? Aesthetic objections to the Chantry?"

"One demon, no matter how ancient, would not give power enough for me to feel secure in doing that."

"I could see wanting to make sure your own footing is stable first, yes."

"Is that what you're here to do? Turn the world on its head?"

"I landed here by accident, honestly. But I don't particularly like the status quo if I am to spend any time here. And I am confident I could come out of turning the world upside down quite alive and well."

"Fair enough. I have not such love for the way the world stands that I would find myself compelled to stand in your way, save to ensure my own survival."

"I'll be careful of your life, then," she says, entirely sincerely. 

"I appreciate that. Do you have a plan?"

"Our current thought had been to identify anyone in this city who could challenge us, and to time at least the start of their removal with a little uprising on behalf of the Gallows mages. I might have implied to one mage I'd be willing to take on anyone the Chantry sent to oppose them; we'll see if I'm in that sort of mood when the time comes."

"I wouldn't have thought the Circle to be in the mood for a rebellion. Who did you talk to?"

"First Enchanter Orsino, he was called."

"Hm. Hidden depths, I suppose. I would not have expected it of him."

"I think he was sufficiently frustrated with that Meredith to want her out of the way. Though he did take some reassuring."

Eliana makes a face of disgust.

"Meredith Stannard. I will not be sorry at all to see her dead. Though I shall miss the look on her face when she remembers that I am a mage she cannot imprison without inviting Tevinter to war."

She snickers.

"I had some fun making her think she was hallucinating, for a bit."

"I would have liked to have seen that. I assume, then, that you've identified your targets among the templar leadership?"

"Subject to some discussion, but, yes."

"I would also recommend removing Viscount Dumar, his seneschal, Bran, the captain of the guard, Aveline Vallen, as well Elthina, the Grand Cleric, if you wish to truly decapitate any resistance before it forms."

She nods. "Thank you."

"What sort of timetable are you thinking of?"

"It'll depend on that mage's readiness in part, of course. Still, I might go harass him if I haven't heard anything in, oh, three days? I expect I can entertain myself otherwise until then." She'd also like to give the mage she'd knocked out that first day a chance to get back to the city, assuming he's alive.

"Remarkably quick. Well, my calendar is clear until the end of the week. If you require any further local guidance, I may be amenable."

"I've been told impatience is one of my flaws. Still, a tour sometime would be delightful."