Innocence and Instinct;
Chapter one: The new recruits

Hope sat alone in the library. It was always a quiet place to be at this time of the day as most were either still asleep or getting their morning meal. Hope had decided to skip breakfast as she was still feeling sick after having the dream again last night. Trying to forget about the ordeal she picked up the closest book without checking to see what it was, before slumping back into her chair. Mindlessly, she fingered through the pages, taking in nothing.
It wasn't long before a small group of apprentices entered the room. Their voices hushed to a whisper upon seeing the girl. Hope squinted her eyes at them in annoyance.
"You don't look so good today," A shaggy, dark haired man confessed sitting across from his friend. The sudden loud voice made the young mage jump. "Didn't you sleep again?" Hope nodded in response. "Ah well, have you at least heard the news?" Jowan's tone was nervous and slightly screechy.
"What news?"
"Oh come on. Everyone is talking about it."
"I don't eavesdrop on idle gossip Jowan." The boy let loose a rawr of laughter.
"I swear you're the only girl who doesn't like a good gossip. Besides, we never hear anything good here unless its something really important." Hope scrunched her eyebrows.
"So, what's so important that its got everyone so worked up around here?" She was unsure whether she actually cared to hear this ground breaking news or not. After all, by the time word reached the mages, it was hard to tell if it were real or just a rumor.
"The chantry are shipping in more Templars since that maleficar killed so many of ours when he was on the run last month."
"I was beginning to wonder when they were going to be replaced." Of course this wasn't good news for the mages but at least they know it was likely to be true.
"I haven't even told you the best part yet." Jowan paused to build up suspense and only when Hope raised a curious eyebrow did he continue. "They are actually doubling the number we had before."
"What?" Hope choked so loud her words echoed throughout the room. "You mean to say that because one blood mage killed a dozen or whatever Templars, we're all being punished for it?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Jowan confirmed.
"And the chantry is still trying to convince us this isn't a prison..?"
"Anyway, have you been to see the First Enchanter yet?" Jowan asked, trying to change the subject.
"Not yet." She had been trying to put it off all morning and her friend knew it.
"Maybe you should just get it over with." Hope scrunched her face up. "I'll even come with you if you like." She appreciate the offer.
"Thanks but you know Irvin, he'll probably just ask you to leave anyway." And with a thankful smile, she departed.

Every year around this time, the young mage was always called into the first enchanters office for the same conversation. She appreciated his concern, even if it was unnecessary. Hope sighed to herself before knocking loudly on the door.
"Come in." A voice called out from the other side. An aged but friendly face awaited her. The first enchanter looked up at her from behind his desk with a welcoming smile upon his lips as she made her way over to him. "Have a seat my dear." Hope obeyed the request. Shifting uncomfortable against the hard wood as she spoke.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes... How are you my dear? Have you been getting enough sleep recently?"
"Everything is fine first enchanter." Hope lied trying her best to get out of his office as soon as possible. Irvin took a moment to examine the girl - dark circles hung from her eyes.
"We can sort you a chamber of your own again if you think it would help." Hope cringed at the idea.
"Really, I'm grateful for the offer, but I think if I get special treatment the 'jokes' will start up again. Besides, I think I handled it a lot better last year." Hope broke eye contact with Irvin. Things were hard enough growing up in the circle tower without the other kids making fun on her. It was rare to find someone who left their parents on a good note but because Hope's scars were on the outside as well as on the inside, she was deemed easy pray for the bullying. That had settled down over the years though as everyone became older and she had come to accept the fact that others picked on her to make themselves feel better. She wasn't one to hold it against anybody, but she didn't go out of her way to be kind to them either.
"I understand, but think about it and know I'm here should you need anything."
"Thank you first enchanter." And with that, the young mage took the opportunity to escape.

As Hope was leaving Irvin's office she noticed the new Templar recruits and the Knight commander heading towards her. She could only guess that they were going to see the first enchanter also. They were like a small clinky army. The mage kept her head down as she squished herself against the wall and out of their way.
"Knight commander." She said with a slight bow as they passed. A simple pleasantry that was expected of her. As soon as the men were out of sight, she released of sigh of relief - Hope really didn't like being that close to any Templar.
"How did it go?" Jowan asked, meeting his friend.
"As to be expected." Blunt and straight to the point. It was clear Hope didn't want to talk about it. "I saw the new Templars though..."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, they look like a lovely bunch. I'm sure none of them will abuse their power and become lyrium power hungry dogs bent of killing us all." She jokes with a slight laugh.
"I bet you didn't even look at them did you!" Jowan mocked.
"I..." She paused. How did he know? "I... saw their shoes."
"Shoes?"
"Yeah... you know... you can tell a lot about someone from what shoes they wear!"
"Those are standard issue - They all look the same!"
"Fine, I didn't actually get a good look at them, but still, I'm sure if it were you they passed, you wouldn't be going out of your way to greet them either!"
"... No, I suppose not." Jowan smiled at his friend. At least he had gotten her mind off her encounter with Irvin.

Hope squished herself as close to her friend as humanly possible during supper. All the new Templars were already actively acting out their duties and even a half blind idiot could see the extra suits of armor were causing more tension than usual.
"You can sit on my lap if you really want." Jowan teased with a wicked smirk on his face.
"Aren't all these Templars making you nervous?" Hope asked trying to get even closer to her friend.
"A little, but theres not much I can do about it... Besides, I'm quite enjoying the reaction I'm getting from a certain someone... even if she is making a slight scene!" Jowan winked.
"You're enjoying this to much."
"Well you're making it very hard for me not too." Hope narrowed her eyes as she stared at her friend, trying to suss out whether he was being serious or not; but he gave nothing away. She tried to relax. It seemed she was the only one that was worrying about all the new men at the tower - But then again, she had always struggled to feel at ease around large groups of people. She sighed to herself, either she try to get use to it now or forever use Jowan to hide behind. The latter wouldn't seem like such a bad idea if he weren't loving it so much. "You had better watch out, that one seems to have his eye on you." Jowan teased.
"That's not funny!" She growled back at him. Jowan never could resist winding his friend up when she was tense. "Why aren't they eating? Dont they know its rude to watch people eat?"
"I guess because there are so many of them now, they have to take it in turns?" More of a question than a statement.
"Either way - Its creepy!" Hope stated. "You want to stop by the library with me when you're done?" Hope asked with a slightly desperate tone to her words.
"I'm going to the chantry."
"What? Why? You spend loads of time there recently and you dont even believe in the Maker!"
"Maybe I've found enlightenment." Hope shifted in her seat.
"I dont believe you." She protested. Jowan merely smiled in response.

"Enlightenment eh..? Na, theres got to be some other reason he keeps going there." Hope muttered to herself as she walked the halls. Upon reaching the open doors of the library the mage poked her head inside. 'Just the two huh?' She thought 'Same as always,' She took a reassuring breath before heading in. There were still a few other apprentices inside. Probably for the same reason as she - To study harder in the hopes of not being made tranquil.
Hope dug through the dusty shelves looking for something that peaked her interest until she found a beginner level tome of healing. 'Could be worth a read,' she thought. She had already learnt the basics of healing but it was such a long time ago that she may have forgotten some of it by now.
Hope sat quietly reading page after page, taking in as much of the information as she could. She was so engrossed in the book that she didn't even noticed when all the other mages left and only one Templar remained. Having been leaning over her tome for such a long time her back was beginning to ache. Raising her arms above her head, she stretched before collapsing them back to the table. Looking around, only then did she actually realise she was alone with this Templar. She looked at him as he stared back at her. She thought it must be normal for all of his attention to be on her as she was the only mage in sight. But then again, she doesn't make a habit of being in these kind of situations. Then suddenly, without warning, she spoke.
"Are you one of the new ones?" It seemed her curiosity was stronger then her fears for the moment. Her voice broke the Templar out of what looked like a trance. His eyes shot to meet with hers.
"How did you get that mark on your neck?" He asked, ignoring her previous question entirely. Overwhelmed with shock by his sudden invasion of her privacy, Hope shot out of her chair so quickly that it nearly feel over behind her.
"I hardly think that is any of your concern!" She proclaimed crossing her arms angrily across her chest. It had been so long since anyone had mentioned her scars that she had forgotten how defensive it would make her. "What is your name, I wish to report this?" She demanded. Honestly, she didnt even know if such a thing was worthy of being reported, she just wanted to scare him a bit.
"C-Cullen." The Templar replied searching her face for any clue as to what she might be thinking but all he got was the sight of her fierce glare before she stormed off. "I-I'm sorry, I didnt mean to offend you!" He called out after her.