Chapter 1 Introductions

It was autumn when she arrived at The Circle. The tree leaves had just started to turn a brilliant orange and red. Ella looked up from her book at the tall stone structure before her. It was not as dreary or scary as she expected, well at least not the outside. She looked at her Templar guards, her traveling companions for the past month. They have hardly said anything to her since they left Denerim, just orders on where to sit and what to eat. "Get up girl," was her morning greeting. Everything had been so different since her mother died. Her life was different now. All she had known was her mother and the forest. Now she was thrust into society, a world she never would have had to see if that night in the woods had not happened. If she had not used her power she would be dead with her mother, it was unknown if that would have been a better fate than this. She started to gather her belongings, nothing but a change of clothes and some books. It was all she had in the world after explosion in the forest. She had her mother's necklace, but she kept that hidden, afraid someone would take it from her.

"We're here girl." One of the Templar knights snarled at her. She didn't understand why they hated her so, why they could not be kind. She had never done anything to wrong them. It was as if her very existence was an insult to them. They had wanted to kill her, she heard them arguing over it after they found her. The leader made the other put their swords away. They tied her and put her in a cart and took her to the big city. That's where she met the kind old man named Irving. He wouldn't let them kill her. He even made them talk to the old man with a crown who looked very tired. He was the King they said. She was only twelve years old but she had seen the King. She didn't think he was that special. He looked very tired and waved his hand dismissively at them. Irving took her hand and told her everything was going to be alright, that she was going to come to his tower and stay there with him and other people like them. He was so kind to her, the first person since her mother who had been. Everyone else seemed afraid of her or ignored her, except the Templars, they always looked at her with anger in their eyes.

Ella, bag and books in hand climbed out of the boat on to the dock. She looked up to the top of the tower to the stained glass windows that circled the top. They had pictures on them, but they were too far away for her to see the details. She took a couple steps on to the grass and waited for the Templars to get out of the boat and on the dock. She learned over the past month to not make any sudden movements around them. The leader of the Templars that escorted her from the city took her by the elbow and led her to the double doors at the base of the tower. They went inside to a guard station at just beyond the doors. Ella was amazed, she had seen grand places before like the place the King was in, but she was going to live here. There were beautiful tapestries lining the walls and a shiny stone floor. Everything seemed so clean, she suddenly felt very dirty.

"You," the guard at the station pointed at her, "sit over there by the door." She looked over and saw a row of chairs against the wall. There was a young man sitting there with a sullen look on his face. He had vivid golden red hair. She had never seen such a color. There were tight curls on the top and it was a bit wavy on the sides. She walked nervously over to the chairs. He glanced up at her.

"You can sit here if you like." He pointed to the chair next to him. He had brilliant blue-green eyes, Ella started to blush. She had never really talked to a boy before. She mumbled a faint thank you and sat down in the chair. She was suddenly very conscious of the fact it had been days since she had a bath.

"So what are you in for?" the boy asked. He seemed around the same age as her, very tall though. Ella was confused, in for what? Irving said this was going to be her new home.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?" she asked. "I'm new," she said apologetically. The boy looked at her then at the bag and books she had sat in the chair next to her.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were in trouble and had to talk to Gregoir like me." He flashed her a big smile, "Cullen's my name. What's yours?" He held out his hand to her. Ella hesitated a moment and took his hand. "Ella's my name." She noticed her hand some smudges of dirt on them from the trip. She quickly apologized and put her had back under her cloak. The boy laughed at her actions.

"It's ok, I've been dirty before." Ella felt her cheeks start to turn red. She felt stupid over the way she was acting around this boy, especially after all she had been through. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The boy was just about to speak again when the door next to them opened. Out stepped a big man with dark hair and a beard. He had rather fierce eyes like that of a hawk. He looked at the boy and girl in the chairs.

"Cullen, what did you do now?" His disapproving tone had the boy squiring a bit in his chair.

"Uh n-n-n-othing sir", Cullen stuttered. "I m-m-mistakenly l-l-left a f-f-frog I found by the l-l-lake in someone's c-c-chair." Ella noticed the more upset he got the more he stuttered. The big man grunted.

"I'll deal with you later. Girl, come with me," he pointed at Ella then the room he had emerged from. Ella jumped up and turned to gather her bag and books. The boy leaned over and whispered.

"It was nice to meet you Ella." Ella smiled at him. That was the nicest thing anyone has said to her since the kind old man Irving in the city.

"Thank you Cullen, good luck!" she whispered back. The man by the door gave an annoyed sigh, "Today please." Ella quickly ran into the room. It was rather empty with a big wooden desk in the center of the room. There were several chairs around it. In a chair to the far right was Irving, the kind old man from the city. He had left the city before her and must have gotten here a day or two before her. He said he had to make preparations for her arrival so they would not be traveling together. He stood up and greeted her.

"Ella I'm glad you made it here safe and sound." He reached out to take her hand. "Come sit here." He pointed to a chair near the desk, Ella hesitated and looked at the other man. "Oh Gregoir won't hurt you, come sit!" Ella sat down clutching her belongings close to her chest. She was suddenly very unsure of herself. The big man named Gregoir took a set behind the desk. He folded his arms and looked at her.

"She's too old Irving," Gregoir said flatly. "She won't be able to adjust to the tower like a child half her age."

"Oh hogwash Gregoir, she will be fine. I will make certain of that. You have my word," said Irving. Gregoir snorted and looked at the girl again.

"Do you know who and what I am child?" Gregoir asked? He stared directly at her. Ella took a deep breath before responding.

"You are the head of the Templar Knights sir," she responded softly.

"Do you know what it is I do girl?" Gregoir asked with the same menacing tone. Ella looked him directly in the eyes.

"You kill bad mages sir," Ella said as fearless as she could. Gregoir looked at her then at Irving. He leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard.

"You have 6 months Irving. If she can not adjust to the tower or refuses to give up her apostate nature the original ruling by the Templars in Denerim stands." Gregoir shot her a glare. Irving gave him a disapproving stare.

"She will be fine Gregoir, quit trying to scare her. She is old enough to understand the situation. Remember the Templars that found her almost killed her on sight." Irving responded heatedly. He abruptly stood and turned towards Ella. "Come child, let me show you to your room." As Irving was leading Ella out into the hallway, Gregoir called after them.

"6 months Irving." Irving muttered something under his breath. Ella looked at Cullen as they walked past. He waved at her and smiled. Ella did the same and as she rounded the corner to go down the hall she heared Gregoir yell, "Cullen! Get in here right now." Ella cringed for him as she walked with Irving down the hallway.