Malicefent had finally gotten Cullen out of his armor. He was only in his under breeches now. This was the moment she had been waiting for, she was going to count every ripple of every muscle with her lips, then trace her tongue along the lines between them. She brought her lips to his, impatient and hungry for him. As she plunged her hands into his auburn hair, his large hands clasped around her waist as he lifted her; never breaking their kiss she wrapped her legs around him. Her robes slid up as she did so and she marveled at how good his bare flesh felt between her thighs. They brought their lips apart for a second to get a breath and look at each other, before diving back in. Cullen's strong hands were sure and capable as they caressed and explored Malicefent's slender, lithe body. She broke the kiss this time and began teasing his neck, counting and tracing. Bringing her mouth down to his chest she was just a hair away from tasting his perfectly formed peck, she could feel the heat of skin, see the rise and fall of his chest as his breathing steadily became quicker. Her lips just brushing his heated skin, but not quite making contact…"Mali, are you all right? Say something please…"
Malicefent didn't open her eyes yet, she was still trying to cling to the dream, still trying to make her lips come into full contact with Cullen's chest.
"Mali?"
Oh, Jowan my dear friend, you are going to pay for this.
She jerked backwards in the in bed. "A demon! Die, demon!" She screamed at Jowan.
"Mali, it's me, Jowan! Calm down! Just…try to relax!" Jowan was hoping she wouldn't zap him with an arcane bolt, and was trying in all desperation to calm her down before that happened.
Malicefent started laughing at the look on Jowan's face. "I know it's you. Though I do think you are demon for interrupting that dream I was having."
"About Cullen I take it?"
She just gave Jowan a wicked smile.
"I don't need details," he said. "How are you feeling? You never answered me."
"I feel a little tired, and completely awake at the same time, definitely glad to be here. I don't remember how I got here though." She was glad to be here, she had made it through, and away from that abomination. She was disappointed though. Disappointed she'd had to give up the spirit staff, and even more so that her dream about Cullen was interrupted.
"I'm glad you're all right. They carried you in this morning. I didn't even realize you'd been gone all night. We've all heard about apprentices who never come back from Harrowings. Is it really that dangerous? What was it like?" Malicefent didn't think Jowan took a single breath while he said all of that.
"Well, I don't know where Cullen's armor went, I would have enjoyed watching him take it off, but he was in his under breeches and then we were…"
"NO! No! No! No! I do not want to hear the details of that! You know full well what I mean."
She was laughing at him again.
"What else am I to expect from someone with 'Malice' in their name?" Jowan grumbled at her.
Still chuckling softly she said, "It was a test of ability – that's all."
"There must be something more, or they would tell the apprentices what's involved. I know I'm not supposed to know…but we're friends, Mali. Just a little hint, and I'll stop asking, I promise!"
Jowan was like a brother to her. Several years earlier when they had both wanted to find out what a kiss felt like, they tried with each other, it was awkward to say the least. Malicefent remembered First Enchanter Irving's words, and what breaking the secret meant. She had made up her mind long ago that she'd not risk her ultimate goal, and she was worried Jowan would break easily under pressure…although that would be better than being him being broken in the Harrowing where it would cost him his life. No, it was not worth risking her goal. Besides, none of it would stop him for going through the Harrowing. In fact, if anyone found out he knew about it, it might rush things for him and that would be worse.
He was looking at her pleadingly when she finally replied. "Patience. You'll go through it soon enough."
Jowan was pouting now. "And now you get to move to the nice mages' quarters upstairs. I'm stuck here and I don't know when they'll call me for my Harrowing."
Malicefent's primary concern had been passing her own Harrowing, but Jowan was her friend so she told him, "Don't worry so much about it."
"I've been longer than you have…sometimes I think they just don't want to test me."
"Jowan, you're pouting. And what are you talking about?"
"The Tranquil never go through the Harrowing. You do the Harrowing, the Rite of Tranquility…or you die. That's what happens." Jowan was really getting worked up over this, Malicefent thought.
She sighed and placatingly said "They're not going to kill you, Jowan."
"They might not, but the Rite of Tranquility is just as bad…maybe worse, Mali. "
"I think you're reading too much into it," Malicefent said, hoping to calm him down.
"You've seen Owain who runs the stockroom. He's so cold. No, not even cold. There's just…nothing in him. It's like he's dead, but still walking. His voice, his eyes are lifeless…" Jowan was really worried this was going to happen to him, she realized. Then he sighed and said, "I shouldn't waste your time with this, I was supposed to tell you to see Irving as soon as you woke up."
"Where is he?"
"He said he'd be in his study upstairs. You'd better not keep him waiting. We can speak later," and then Jowan was off.
Malicefent didn't really want to keep the First Enchanter waiting, Irving had been like a father to her and she had the deepest respect for him. But she really, really wanted to see Cullen first. That dream was her repercussion, she had no doubt about that. Jowan had somehow found this book about dreaming and the Fade. In it, one of the things mentioned was how to influence others' dreams. It was dangerous, but simple enough, all she'd needed was a little lyrium dust.
She'd seen the way Cullen looked at her, and they'd had their flirty little moments. From the whispers around the Tower, their flirtations were no secret. They'd shared a kiss here and there, but Cullen was duty bound, though he was wavering. Malicefent wanted to get under his steel, so she…enticed him into a dream four nights ago. The same dream she'd been having earlier, but when the dream happened four nights ago Cullen lay sleeping in the Templars Quarters and he'd shared it too, and it went on, uninterrupted. She knew he would come around, it was just a matter of time. Malicefent was impatient though, so she'd planted some seeds in the hopes they could be sown soon.
As Malicefent made her way out of the Apprentice Quarters she overheard others speaking, some in awe of her abilities, and rightfully so she felt. Others were whispering how it had been the quickest, cleanest Harrowing in history. Of course, she thought. Others were complaining, or saying she got lucky, one of them was the apprentice that was sent to fetch her earlier. Apparently she felt she deserved more than a "thank you" for delivering an expected message, though she barely knew the girl they had never liked each other. She just smiled at them graciously, with a belittling glint in her eye as she walked past. They stopped talking quickly enough, and she enjoyed toying with their weakness.
Not surprisingly she heard whispers of her and Cullen, in there too. Most of it was other apprentices giggling, some others made comments with a tone of voice only used by the jealous. The jealous ones amused her more.
Passing through the Apprentice Library she had to roll her eyes at the Chantry propaganda they were already instilling in the children. Their attentions would be better focused elsewhere instead of wasted on the Chantry's claptrap; it would do them no good if they ever needed to fight. The Chantry could eat darkspawn ass for all she cared.
When she reached the Senior Mage Quarters the first thing she did was begin searching the floor for Cullen. She had come here as fast as she could without drawing attention to herself.
Malicefent found Cullen standing outside one of the Senior Enchanters private chambers. As she approached him she glanced in the open door and saw a fellow mage going about some work in the back of the room. Unfortunate, there would be no slipping in that door with Cullen.
"Oh, um, h-hello. I…uh, am glad to see your Harrowing went smoothly," Cullen said by way of greeting.
The stutter had only appeared within the last four days, but today it just slightly more pronounced. "Hello, Cullen." She returned, smiling sweetly as she added, "Why are you stuttering?"
"Th-they picked me as the templar to strike the killing blow if…if you became an abomination."
Malicefent thought that was cruel of Greagoir to do. He had undoubtedly heard the whispers of her and Cullen. No doubt he thought it to be some noble test of Cullen's loyalty to the order, and she truthfully would have been surprised for Greagoir to pick anyone else. It would have been entirely out of character for him not to remind everyone, in some way, just how much control he had. That's what cowards who have power do. And if Cullen had refused to strike her down, Greagoir would not have hesitated to cut them both down on the spot. Malicefent did not further doubt that Greagoir was hoping she would be wounded by knowing Cullen's role and it would drive them apart. Malicefent was mage, Cullen was templar, and they both knew their roles. She had accepted that, and she had also never had a doubt that she would pass the test.
"Would you really have struck me down?" She asked anyway.
"I-It's nothing personal, I swear! I…uh, I'm just glad you're all right. You know. I would've felt terrible about it…but…I serve the Chantry and the Maker, and I will do as I am commanded." From the look on his face, and in the eyes that matched the color of his hair, one could not doubt his sincerity.
Malicefent decided to find out what would happen if she inched closer and coquettishly suggested "Maybe we should go elsewhere…and continue our discussion?"
Cullen was indeed caught off guard, in fact he didn't even entirely process what had been said. "Elsewhere? What do you mean?"
"Nothing, I misspoke." She answered, too innocently.
"Uh…uh, yes. Maybe we could talk another time. You can ahh…come and talk to me anytime you like," with a fuller understanding filling his voice.
She just gave a little smile and wave as she sauntered off, knowing that while the robes covered everything they definitely drew attention to all the right areas.
She was passing through the library on her way to the First Enchanter's office and couldn't help but to stop and have a look around. The library on this level contained far more advanced books, and higher levels of knowledge than the Apprentice Library.
She saw Senior Enchanter Sweeny. He was possibly older than First Enchanter Irving, and his mind was going, but he hadn't accidentally zapped anyone or turned them into toads…yet.
On the other side of the cavernous room, Eadric, a studious young mage, was working even harder than usual. He was dedicated to his craft, and would have a harder time proving himself for no reason other than people's prejudices, Eadric was an Elf. He wouldn't appreciate the interruption so Malicefent left him undisturbed, but nearby she noticed something unusual. An entire section of books was missing. All of the shelves on that one case were entirely bare. She would have ask the First Enchanter about it when she got to his office.
Further perusing the books in the library Malicefent overheard agitated voices, one she recognized as Senior Enchanter Torrin's. She moved to peruse the volumes closer to where he was standing. As she moved in she saw that the other mage was Niall.
She only caught the end of what Torrin was saying, "…that's not likely. The Chantry would do something before it came to that."
Niall responded with "Will they? They haven't done anything and I've heard that the Aequitarians are starting to soften a little on the Libertarian position."
They were talking about the Fraternities. Torrin commented that the Aequitarians usually prefered to remain allied with the Loyalists.
Niall spotted her and said, "I think someone's here to see you Senior Enchanter Torrin."
Malicefent said her greetings, Torrin returned them and congratulated her on passing the Harrowing. Feeling confident after her encounter with Cullen, she asked him what he and Niall had been arguing about.
Torrin answered, "The Fraternities of the Enchanters. You probably haven't heard of them."
She had in fact heard of the Fraternities, they would be an integral part of her goal. They weren't only in the Circle Tower, the Fraternities were spread throughout all parts of Thedas. The most influential Fraternity are the Aequitarians. They're the moderates, and believe in a code of conduct that all mages should adhere too. The Loyalists were Chantry lapdogs. The Chantry said something and they followed it to the letter. The Lucrosians just want to make money, the Isolationists would like all mages to be hermits and live on an island, and the Libertarians wanted more power for the Circle, more autonomy.
"It's best not to get tangled up in Circle politics. It's was more trouble than it's worth."
Torrin had no idea how deep she had planned on tangling herself. She was on a line between the Libertarians and the Aequitarians. Malicefent felt the Circle should have the autonomy to govern itself, and that the mages should adhere to a certain code of conduct to ensure the whole thing didn't come tumbling down around their ears. Most of the Senior Enchanters are Aequitarians: Irving, Wynne, Sweeny, and Torrin. Senior Enchanter Uldred was a Libertarian, an extremely vocal one.
Torrin sighed before continuing on. "Mages have enough opposition from the outside without tearing our Circles apart with in-fighting. But what can you do?"
"Giving up doesn't help anyone."
"An idealist, I see. Well, if you're going to change the world, you should get started immediately. Lots of world to cover." And with that, Senior Enchanter Torrin simply walked off.
If the Circles started petitioning for independence, or an even split, the Chantry would respond with force and many would suffer. Uldred's way of handling things was only causing a deeper rift between the mages, and would eventually anger the Chantry.
Malicefent turned to Niall. He had seen her around the Tower, but that's all there had been time for as they rushed between where ever it was they needed to be. She felt like he was someone she could like on a level that went beyond physical. "What do you think Niall?"
He sighed and said, "I think we should be Isolationists. Stay in some remote mountain town far away from the mundanes who hate us."
"That would be nice, but that will only increase their fear of us."
"They'll never learn to not fear us. They don't want too." Niall sounded tired. There was more to this than Malicefent was being told. "I'd go hide in the wilds if I could, but you know they'd just brand me an apostate and send the templars to hunt me down. There is no leaving the Circle. It's till death do us part. Romantic isn't it?"
"There must be mages who aren't part of a Circle." She hoped there was anyway.
"I've heard of hedge witches who've managed to survive on their own, eluding the Circle for a lifetime. But if the templars discover them…well, you know what happens. Then there are stories about the Dalish elf clans having great magic. But who knows what's truth and what's fiction when it comes to the Dalish?"
"It's too late for me to go hiding in bushes, and saying the Dalish wouldn't accept human outsider would be an understatement. I would like to talk more, Niall, but First Enchanter Irving is expecting me. If you happen to find that island be sure to send for me." She hated to leave, but she had dallied long enough.
"All right. Have a good day," Niall sighed. He sounded so tired.
Malicefent heard Knight Commander Greagoir before she was within ten feet of the First Enchanter's office door. "…many have already gone to Ostagar – Wynne, Uldred, and most of the senior mages! We've committed enough of our own to this war effort…"
Unperturbed in the least, First Enchanter Irving cut him off as she was stepping through the door, "Your own? Since when have you felt such kinship with the mages, Greagoir? Or are you afraid to let the mages out from under Chantry supervision, where they can actually use their Maker-given powers?"
Oh, that really lit Greagoir up; even more so because there was another knight, who was not a templar, standing with them. With the mention of Ostagar, and the appearance of the other knight, Malicefent was sure he must be a Grey Warden. No other knights were likely to come by the Tower looking for mages to assist them. This was going to be good!
Greagoir was nearly sputtering when he shouted "How dare you suggest…" before he was interrupted again, this time by the probable Grey Warden.
"Gentleman, please. Irving, someone is here to see you." He said it sternly, hiss voice resonating with authority.
"Hello," was all Malicefent was willing to risk saying, lest she smirk directly in Greagoir's face.
"Ah, if it isn't our newest sister in the Circle. Come, child." Irving's voice was warm and fatherly as he spoke to her.
"Is this…?" The knight asked Irving.
"Yes, this is she."
Greagoir had regained some of his composure and took the opportunity to interject. "Well, Irving, you're obviously busy. We will discuss this later," and walked out.
Irving replied absently to him, "Of course." His attention was on Malicefent and the knight. "Well, then…where was I? Oh, yes. This is Duncan, of the Grey Wardens."
