TO BE SURE, I DON'T OWN ANYTHING DRAGON AGE RELATED. BIOWARE AND EAGAMES OWN THE DRAGON AGE TRILOGY. I AM BUT A HUMBLE FAN WHO IS GRATEFUL FOR THE INSPIRATION AND HOTNESS OF CERTAIN CHARACTERS.

ORIGINS

CHAPTER 1

9:27 Dragon - Early Spring

"She is easily the most powerful mage in Kinloch Hold. She is, perhaps, the most powerful mage in all of Fereldan," Knight-Commander Greagoir stood six-foot tall, steely gray hair and brown eyes that reflected years of pain. He wore his Templar armor with the ease of decades of use. The sword in sunburst upon his breastplate was in gold relief to mark his rank. He stood next to a much younger man with blond hair and blue eyes that held their own pain. He also wore his armor with the ease of use, although his was a bit shinier and less worn than the Knight-Commander's. Like the Knight-Commander he wore heavy-armor with a sword in sunburst on the breastplate; though his was in black instead of gold to denote his rank of lieutenant. They stood watching a young girl sparring against three older mages. Her dark auburn hair gleamed like sunrise in the candlelight, her green eyes were bright with joy, and her lips; which were the same color as her hair, were stretched in a wicked smile. The Templars were watching the sparring session to be sure no one was seriously hurt as well as to guard against the use of blood-magic.

The younger Templar was impressed with her control. The other three were attempting to break through her shields and had been unable to do so. She was defending herself from their magic and attacking with her own magic quite easily. She gave a shout of laughter as a well placed fire-bolt of hers negated the shield of one of her opponents; she followed with a spell to encase him in ice, eliminating that opponent. The other two men hit her with lightning and ice simultaneously and as the spells hit her shields there was a blinding flash of light. Greagoir took a step forward in concern, only to stop when he heard the peel of her laughter.

"You'll have to hit harder than that, sirs!" the youngster shouted at them.

"Brat!" One of the men shouted back, laughing as well. The other man gave the girl a mock scowl and tossed a manna-bolt at her shields. From within the resulting sparks she tossed out a lightning bolt that split in two to overload their shields. As that happened both men suddenly screamed in fear and fainted. She dropped her shields and jumped for joy at having won the spar, and then she went to check that her 'enemies' to be sure they were truly unharmed.

While the senior mages were critiquing her form the two Templars retreated a bit farther away.

"Lieutenant Cullen, Bronwynn hasn't given me any reason to think she may be a danger; but she is very powerful for one so young," Cullen nodded his understanding. He had seen enough in his three years as a knight of the Templar order to know that young mages were often more dangerous than not, due mostly to their inability to control their emotions. The Knight-Commander was right to be concerned since she was clearly powerful enough to take on three mages without exhausting herself.

"These senior mages are not threatened by her or her power," Greagoir continued. "Irving tries to keep her away from those mages who will give her trouble; but it can be difficult when she still has so much to learn." Greagoir sighed as he said this.

"There are at least a dozen mages that have, in some way or another expressed their desire for her demise or to have control over her." The Knight-Commander watched the girl carefully as she planted her staff in front of her.

"There have been incidents?" Cullen asked. He had transferred to this Kinloch Hold only a week before; he'd been sent here at Greagoir's request. He spent his first ten years in the Order near his home of Honnleath. He had spent enough time with the Order to know that mages could be very dangerous. They did not usually attack their own, however.

"Several. I've had to put her in her own room with a lock on the door she can lock when she sleeps," Cullen frowned his next question.

"A little history, first, Lieutenant. Bronwynn came to us from the Amells when she was four, she is their youngest. Even at four she was frighteningly powerful. She was even more frighteningly intelligent."

Greagoir turned so he could see the three mages as they each showed the girl easier ways to use her spells.

"We didn't have any trouble until she turned nine and we moved her in with the Apprentices. Apparently one of the older boys in that group was practicing blood-magic and we didn't know." Greagoir's voice had deepened with anger.

"We still wouldn't know if Bronwynn hadn't been able to prevent him from using his spells on her." He looked at the younger man. "He attacked her the first night she was in the general dorm. She not only prevented him from raping her, she broke his power over the rest of the apprentices in the dormitory. At nine, she did this," He took a deep breath and looked back at the now sixteen year old girl. "She did it without resorting to blood-magic herself."

"She didn't use blood-magic to break his power." Cullen gasped in shock. He had always heard that only blood-magic could be used to undo blood-magic.

"When asked why she didn't, at nine her response was satisfying. 'Only weak, stupid and cowardly fools use blood-magic'. "Cullen laughed softly at that. That was a sentiment all Templars shared, that a mage said that at nine was an ironic coincidence.

"She could have killed the boy, she literally threw him across the room to pin him against the wall. He hit the wall hard enough to break his back, paralyzing him. Then she protected him from the other girls in the dorm room; I heard her telling them he would suffer more her way. His scream is what brought the Templars into the dorm." Greagoir shook his head as he thought about that night.

"Bronwynn made many friends that night, but also many enemies. She hasn't tried to win over those enemies since then either." Cullen turned to look at the girl as she began bouncing around the older men and laughing, he saw Greagoir smile at her enthusiasm and wondered, for a moment. Then his face grew more serious.

"The second incident happened in the dorm a few months later, another apprentice attacked her. He cornered her in the dressing area for the girls, him she hurt with lightning. Now, one would think after two attempts to harm her, those who dislike her would find other ways to get to her." Cullen nodded.

"That would be a no, however. They did not learn; well, not completely. It was another year before someone tried again and after that I moved her into her own room. Then three of the journeyman mages tried to beat her," Greagoir looked at Cullen and it was a hard look.

"This is what worries me most, that so many of her fellow mages are trying to harm her. She laid them all out with her own fists, but they could not touch her. She had a shield in place the entire time."

"Then she should have been vulnerable to magic," Cullen said. The Knight-Commander nodded his gray head in agreement. "Someone tried magic as well?" Cullen asked.

"Yes, and she simply knocked him out. Her shields are very good."

"How many attempts have there been?"

"Four more before she went through her Harrowing."Greagoir looked once more at the young mage as she moved through her fighting stances.

"And how long ago was that?" Cullen wondered.

"She was ten." Greagoir nodded in confirmation. "Yes, ten, the youngest in Fereldan. Most likely the youngest in all of Thedas, Bronwynn Amell is either the most dangerous woman in all of Thedas or the greatest cursed." Greagoir did not seem to be joking when he said this.

"There have been a total of fifteen incidents since her harrowing. I've known her, her whole life. She would be a normal child, if not for the magic in her blood. She follows the rules, mostly; she listens to her elders, mostly; she ignores the Templar order, for the most part." He took a deep breath as the three older mages took their leave and the redhead stood in the center of the field once more.

"When she does seem to pay attention to anyone, there is usually a reason that ends up with her being hurt." Greagoir finished.

"She needs a constant guard. Someone I can trust to watch out for her, as well as keep her in check. Even with a locked door, I worry her enemies will still find a way to kill her."

"Just one Templar for a constant guard?"

"You will sleep when she sleeps. That is the only time she is truly safe." Greagoir told him. Cullen noticed that Bronwynn was now standing alone in the sparring circle, apparently practicing fighting a melee fighter. Her moves were fluid, and even in the leather armor, Cullen found that somewhat erotic.

"Her room is supposed to be impenetrable as well as soundproof."

"How is that possible?" The Knight-Lieutenant asked while wondering why soundproof. Then his mind went down a different path and he had to force himself back on track.

"First Enchanter Irving placed a ward on the door so that as long as it is locked no one can enter if they do not have the key as well as keeping anyone from knowing for sure if she is in the room. You will be given a key. Irving and I already have a key as does Bronwynn; there should only be four keys." Cullen nodded to show he was listening.

"I have had her quarters remodeled so that you are in the same room as her. You will have to learn her schedule – and hopefully you can keep up with her because she tends to move quickly." The Knight-Commander turned to face the Lieutenant fully.

"Normally I wouldn't put a knight at such risk, but I need to know that the girl will be protected."

"Why does this one mage warrant her own guard?" Cullen asked finally.

Greagoir did not answer; instead he called Bronwynn to them.

Bronwynn Amell had noticed the Templars observing the sparring session. She had been sure to keep the display of power down, to keep them from worrying overly much. Especially the Knight-Commander Greagoir; he tended to get nervous when she used her magic. The other knight was new, she hadn't seen him before but she like the look of him. Blond hair and blue eyes and obviously fit from the way he stood in his armor. She scolded herself for noticing how the Templar looked. She forced herself to give her full attention to the senior mages as they instructed her in better ways to use her battle magics; it was always good to learn new techniques. Greagoir was probably giving the new knight instructions on what not to let her do, because she was only nineteen and a mage. When he called her over to them she had worked up a small sweat from her work practicing her melee moves.

Cullen watched the mage walk to where he and the Knight-Commander were standing. She moved with a grace born of both youth and years of martial practice. Her armor clung to her curves and he noticed her breathing a little more heavily as it caused her chest to heave slightly. He began to wonder if he needed to find a brothel since he was so interested in her body.

"Yes Knight-Commander?" Bronwynn greeted politely. He gestured to the lieutenant and she turned bright green eyes to his blue ones. The impact of his direct gaze startled her, she felt his blue gaze down to the pit of her stomach as well as warmth that could only be desire. She managed to hide her reaction by sheer force of will.

"This is Lieutenant Cullen Rutherford and he is going to be your guard from now on." Bronwynn gave Greagoir a startled glance.

"Why?" She asked bluntly. Her youth was apparent in her confidence that she would be given a satisfactory answer to her question.

Like Cullen; however she got none.

"He is going to go where you go, child, get used to it." With that the older man left them alone. Bronwynn watched him leave and harrumphed at his back. Cullen hid a grin at her obvious disgruntlement. Then he had to choke back laughter when she began grumbling under her breath at Greagoir's lack of trust. The laughter caught in his throat when she turned her green eyes back on him. Up close she was quite breathtaking. 'Too bad she's a mage' he thought to himself.

"So, do you have any idea why we're being punished?" she quipped. He heard in her voice she was joking. When he just shook his head she sighed overly dramatically and turned on her heel.

"Well, I have a lot to do today, hope you can keep up" she called back.

Bronwynn moved through the tower as if on a mission, and she was. She had five different mentors to meet with this day and she was running late due to Greagoir's insistence on introducing her to the new Templar. 'He may be cute,' she thought to herself. 'But I don't need to know his name. I don't need to know if his shoulders are that broad either, stop thinking about it!' she scolded herself. She forced herself to concentrate on her studies for the day. Cullen kept himself out of the way, simply watching those around her.

Bronwynn moved through her day with an efficiency that surprised the Templar knight. She spent nearly forty minutes with each of her mentors and in that time she would discuss each lesson as thoroughly as possible before working on the lesson for another hour. Greagoir had been correct, she was brilliant. He could also see she was impatient, slightly arrogant and even rude. The senior mages were doting and typically ignored her rudeness; the younger mages fell in two groups. They either loved her or they loathed her. The ones that loathed her were quick to return her rudeness in kind; which seemed to amuse the girl. Cullen could see that those who loved her fawned over the woman. He was actually surprised at how many people liked her when he heard the way she spoke to so many. He assessed her body language and her voice. There was condescension in her voice, but it was higher than it had been at the sparring field, he watched her smiling and began to think it was a mask. Her body was tightly wound, like a spring waiting to release. She walked on the balls of her feet, her arms kept loose but almost in a defensive position and she seemed to be very alert to her surroundings. Cullen wondered what the Knight-Commander had not told him.

They reached her final mentor and the blond Templar was surprised to see it was an older man wearing leather Templar armor. She treated him with the same respect she had shown the Knight-Commander.

"Knight-Captain Marline," she greeted the man who was the Knight-Commander's second in command. She made a gesture with her right hand and an elaborately carved ebony staff appeared in her hand.

"I apologize for being late again today, how shall I make it up?" Cullen actually stopped walking to stare at the red-head. Other men of this one's age she called by their title or their first name, with barely concealed condescension. Yet he could see that her body language with this knight was relaxed, if alert, and she used her magic with the same ease she had during that mornings sparring session. Even her voice was different; almost as if she were older. She moved more easily, he had to swallow once more and force himself to move forward again. He wondered why he was so fascinated with her body. It hadn't been that long since he'd had a bed partner. He couldn't let himself think about her as if she were a potential bed partner, either. 'Even if I like the shape of her hips,' before he could find a place to watch from so he was out of the way the Knight-Captain gestured to him, beckoning him forward.

"You are a new face, Knight-Lieutenant," Knight-Captain Marline said as Cullen stepped up next to the mage.

"Yes, Serra." Cullen answered. He waited for the mage to speak, to say something snide about his being assigned to her. She didn't, though, she kept silent and Cullen wondered why.

"Knight-Captain Marline" he pronounced it in the Orlesian, Mar-lean-a, though he was clearly Fereldan with his accent.

"Lieutenant Cullen Rutherford" the two men shook hands, Marline using it as a test of strength; Cullen merely kept his grip firm. The Knight-Captain nodded his approval.

"So, the Knight-Commander didn't tell me my student was going to have a shadow today, do you have any idea why you're here?" Cullen shook his head in the negative, when the Templar looked to his student the redhead was also shaking her head in the negative.

"Luckily for you two, I do." The Knight-Captain gave them a wicked grin and gestured for them to follow him. He led them into a medium sized out building where there was a very full late repast set up; more than enough food for the three of them to enjoy.

"If you didn't know I was going to have a shadow, Ser Knight, how do you know why I have one?" Bronwynn asked as she was truly curious as to the answer for both questions.

"Irving, Greagoir and I have been discussing this issue for weeks. We could see that that your enemies were getting bolder. After last week's incident; however, I gather Greagoir decided we truly do need to ensure your safety."

"Why?" Bronwynn asked. "I am no more important than any of the other mages." Cullen was surprised to hear her say that, even more surprised that she meant it. This attitude switch had him confused.

"Templars attack the other mages as well; I wouldn't be the first." She reminded the Knight-Captain.

"You are, my dear, more important than you realize." He sighed.

"Your choice to support the Circle against the blood-mages and their lackeys is the reason there continues to be incidents such as the one last week." Marline said and it struck Cullen as if he was placing the blame for her attacks on her shoulders.

"So because I refuse to allow some abusive arsehole to use blood-magic to control when and where I'll do him or her I am fair game? Because I defend myself from four Templars, after I have to kill two of them to get them off me, I'm fair game?" Bronwynn shook her head in disgust.

"It is the way of the world, Bronwynn, not just circles." Marline started to explain more when Cullen interrupted him.

"But it shouldn't be," Cullen's voice was as hard as granite. "No one has the right to abuse another, in any way for any reason." Both Marline and Bronwynn's eyes were wide with shock at his vehemence. Mages were dangerous, but they were people. Had a Templar attacked a non-mage there would have been dire consequences. She should have been safe from the Templars in this circle.

"I agree, obviously" Bronwynn said in awe. Not even the Knight-Captain, Knight-Commander or First Enchanter thought there was anything wrong with her being attacked by other mages or even the Templars. Yes, Greagoir was careful to do full investigations, sure, but the Templars never got punished, most didn't even get moved to a different circle and the mages were only stopped because she made it impossible for them to continue. To hear this new knight agreed that abuse for any reason was wrong made her a little less nervous about him. It meant she was less likely to be hurt by him.

"Be that as it may, due to her actions in pointing out blood-magic use by other mages she has been targeted by the group that is encouraging the use of it. We have thus far been unable to find the group's leader or leaders to prevent any more incidents." Marline shook his head sadly.

"You are still placing the blame for their actions at her feet," Cullen observed with a seething anger that the Knight-Captain chose to ignore.

"We have recently learned there are Templars who are either under their control or willing working with them, putting you at even greater risk." He gestured to Cullen as he continued to speak as if there had been no interruption.

"Thus the Knight-Commander found a Knight-Lieutenant with an exemplary record to watch over you during the day."

Bronwynn and Cullen looked warily at each other. Bronwynn could see he was angry as well as having heard it in his voice. She allowed herself to look more closely at this man who was going to be her constant companion for the duration. He wasn't just fit, he was slender but muscular. Not the musculature of Byron, the Templar who seemed to lead the others in their attacks on her. He was blond, unlike most everyone in Fereldan, and his blue eyes were the blue of a winter sky after a snowstorm. His hands were calloused from sword work and she shivered slightly when her mind conjured the feeling of them against her skin. 'Last thing you need is to start thinking about him and sex, he'll be like the rest, you know that!'' she scolded herself, but some part of her either didn't believe that, or she was more broken than she originally thought.

"Take the rest of the day to get to know one another," Marline ordered. He waved to a servant who began packing up the food.

"I think we're dismissed," Bronwynn said with amusement. Cullen agreed. The two of them moved back out into the practice field. He watched as she waved her staff out of existence. She kept herself to his pace even though she felt she was far too exposed at the slower pace. He walked next to her; neither behind her nor in front of her which actually made her feel safer. He was close enough to touch as well as close enough to block an attack with his sword or shield. They entered her room after he unlocked the door. The servant followed with the food to deposit it on the table in the young mage's room. Cullen waited outside the door until she waved him in. He didn't shut the door while the two of them took seats at the table. The long walk to her room from the Templar practice field had given neither of them any ideas for conversation. They stared at anything, anywhere but at one another. Well, Bronwynn looked everywhere else; Cullen took the opportunity to look her over.

Upon closer inspection he could see signs of strain up on her face and in how she held her body. He could see the armor was practical, not ornamental and it had seen actual use; not just the dings of sparring or practice. If he was seeing it correctly, she had several scars from knife wounds along her side and one upon her left breast. 'That is a shame,' he thought to himself. She was slender, but not like an elf; she had curves where he liked them.

'Stop!' he told himself. He wasn't there to ogle the girl, or to even do anything with her. Yes he found her attractive, yes he could think of several ways to get that pinched look off her face as well as get her to move the way she had when they were in the practice field.

He also needed to stop thinking about it as his own armor was getting uncomfortably tight.

"Tell me about last week's incident" Cullen asked to start the conversational ball rolling. He had to force his eyes to stay on her face when she looked at him. Then he couldn't look away. Her eyes weren't just green, they were the deeply emerald green of the trees in the Emerald Graves or the lush grasses of the Storm Coast. In them he could see just how troubled the girl was, how afraid.

"Four Templar Knights cornered me in the storeroom," He watched her force her spine straight; watched as she turned into the haughty girl he had been looking after all-day.

"The ring-leader; Byron, said something about teaching me a lesson and putting me in my place," she was attempting to remain aloof; trying to keep her composure but Cullen could see she needed help. He stood up and closed the door, locking it. He sat back down in the chair as before, making sure he remained relaxed and non-threatening. Bronwynn seemed to realize he was giving her privacy, a chance to speak her mind. She hesitated for a moment, but he was going to be her constant companion for a while, might as well let him know the grimy details.

"Three of them grabbed me, forced me to my knees. I guess they thought that since I didn't carry a staff I wasn't dangerous," she couldn't stop herself from remembering the fear, didn't know that it showed through her eyes and how her lips flattened out.

"Byron … he …" she faltered. She couldn't say this; she couldn't tell this stranger what they had done to her.

"What are their names?" Cullen asked with barely leashed rage. She looked up into his eyes and for a brief moment would have sworn he was actually a rage demon he was so angry.

"What does it matter?" she asked. He leaned forward, making sure she could see his eyes.

"I don't care how many Templars and blood-mages you turn in for their crimes. I don't care if the charges are trumped up. No one should rape you!" He shouted the last, but did not move from his seat, even though his body was tense as if he was ready to leap into action. That he meant what he said was clear; tears filled her eyes and the dam broke.

"He didn't get the chance to actually rape me," She began, managing only for a moment to keep from crying. "I killed him and Jonathan which made Drass and Carroll let me go." She told him everything, then. He was appalled to discover that she had suffered so much more than the Knight-Commander knew. He would find out how much the First Enchanter knew and he would know how it was allowed that she would only be allowed to sleep peacefully.

Cullen understood why she didn't carry her staff; it had been used against her repeatedly. She wore leather armor even to sleep in, even in the room that was set up to keep her safe. No wonder she behaved the way she did. Cullen had moved them to a two seat sofa she had in her room and pulled her into his arms as she spoke. When she had broken down into merely sobbing he held her loosely. He made no sounds, he didn't try and shush her, just let her cry. When she pulled away he had to force himself to let her go, but he admitted to himself he had like the way she felt in his arms. Cullen handed her a cloth to wipe her eyes with. He knew the dangers of being involved with a mage, but he couldn't stop himself from wanting this one.

"And now they give me a Templar guard," Bronwynn said while cleaning her eyes, the confusion in her voice clear.

"Why would the Knight-Commander do that?" Bronwynn hated how young she sounded, how lost. Part of her marveled that she was trusting, not only a stranger but a Templar with this weakness. She recognized, however, that she actually felt a little better. Her chest wasn't quite so tight and she actually felt her shoulders relaxing. He wasn't holding her any longer, but he was still rubbing small circles on her upper back, the warmth of his hand was comforting.

"I am not from this Circle," he reminded her.

"What does that matter?" she asked him bitterly. "Am I supposed to believe you aren't like the others?"

Cullen stopped rubbing her back and leaned away from her, offense clear on his face.

"What?" She demanded.

"Not all Templars are like the ones who hurt you," he tried to sound gentle, but he was offended. She gave a bitter huff of laughter.

"I have seen the supposedly 'good' Templars watch the others harm other mages and Tranquil, they stand by and do nothing." She informed him with venom.

"Marline says my actions are the reason I'm attacked, and he's probably right. I will not stand by and watch others be hurt. I cannot allow it. Power is seductive, Knight-Lieutenant; as a mage I know that. 'Magic is to serve Man, not rule over Him'" she quoted. "Nowhere in The Chant does it say serving man means allowing ourselves to be harmed!"

"I agree," Cullen said softly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I want to feel safe, ser knight" she whispered. "How can I feel safe when I have known nothing but pain from those who are supposed to protect us?" she asked him as she opened her green eyes, which were once again filled with tears. Cullen felt his heart pounding in empathy with her pain. He did not reach for her simply because she would misconstrue his intention, and truly he could not fault her for it after all she had been through.

"I could swear upon Andraste that I will never touch you in a way you don't want," he said to the teary eyed girl. "You wouldn't believe me, though." He tilted his head to the right, away from the wall as he looked at her through thoughtful eyes. "You have no choice, you know. The Knight-Commander actually requested I be transferred here for this assignment."

"But why? What in Thedas makes me so important?" she asked. She was exhausted from having spent the emotions she had bottled up for so long.

"I don't know, Mage Bronwynn, but I want to protect you." He took her left hand in his and squeezed her fingers. "You don't deserve any of what you have been through; let me do the job I was brought here to do."

Mage Bronwynn looked at the Knight-Lieutenant Templar, attempting to see beyond the armor.

"Take off the armor." He blinked at her in surprise.

"You want me to what?"

"I want to try to trust you," she said to him. "I can't with the armor on, so take it off." He blushed and though she thought it was attractive she didn't understand why he was blushing.

"I will have to… uh… go into the other room," he stammered. She nodded and pointed to the alcove that was his, although she looked confused. Cullen decided to comply without asking why she looked confused.

He took about half an hour to get into his civilian clothes. Heavy armor was just that, heavy. It was also awkward when he had to reach across himself with one arm to undo the buckles underneath the other. Then he gave himself a quick wash up with the water that had been left in the wash basin. When he re-emerged from the area she was facing forward with her eyes closed. The sight of her made him to catch his breath, she was truly beautiful.

Bronwynn held the breath she had just inhaled seconds before he stepped from his part of the newly remodeled room. He was stunningly handsome. She could see the definition of muscles in his arms from his work with his sword and shield as well as the weight of his armor. His legs were well defined also and she hoped she didn't blush to give away where she was looking. She could feel that pool of heat in her lower belly again and she wondered if she was going to be able to control herself. Wynn had warned the younger girls against affairs until they were older since many forgot precautions against pregnancies. She realized then that his being a Templar was only going to matter when he was wearing the armor. Bronwynn did not notice where his eyes had been roaming, or where they lingered. She saw the reaction, however and had to swallow a groan. No, if he was going to react to her looking at him as if he was interested in her too it was going to be very hard to keep her distance.

Cullen cleared his throat nervously and took another step forward, hoping she didn't notice his erection. He willed his body to calm down, but it wasn't listening to him. Bronwynn took that as her cue to open her eyes fully. Even out of his armor he was an intimidating man. Bronwynn watched him for a few moments more, letting her mind decide on how to view him, and she had been correct; out of the armor she could see a man – just a man – and since she knew he wasn't a mage she could trust him. Or at the very least try to.

"Thank you Ser Knight," She whispered. "I believe I can find my way to trusting you when you are not in your armor."

"I can have unmarked leathers made," Cullen said, having thought about it while changing. "If you think it would help, but I cannot go without any armor."

Bronwynn nodded her understanding. Indeed he could not, not within the Circle or out of it. It was a dangerous world after all. The mage girl sighed, suddenly feeling ten years older and exhausted beyond bearing.

"I am suddenly so very tired," she informed the blond knight. His smile was crooked and it made him even more handsome.

"I'll have a servant clear the food, you go to sleep. I promise I'll keep watch over you." He told her. She was certain she would not sleep, she was certain it would take her a great many days to trust he wouldn't hurt her while she slept yet she found herself drifting almost immediately. Her thoughts before sleep claimed her were of him smiling just before his lips met her own.