Josephine was disconcerted. She had been looking for the mistress of spys for hours and nobody could give her a lead as to her whereabouts. Ususally you could find her if you looked hard enough. If you hold all the strings it was not a good idea if nobody could find you to deliver information or pick up new errands.

The keeps spies where as puzzled as Josephine. Into that confusion barged Adaar.

"I found this on my desk." She waved a letter around. "How it got there is beyond me, but what does it mean? Where is Leliana?" The Inquisitor was angry, you could see that in her purple eyes, the set of her brows.

"Inquisitor, there you are. We don't know." Josephine wrung her hands. "We looked everywhere, but she did not leave any of us a hint. Is this from her?"

Adaar nodded. "It says she is off visiting with an old friend. We shall not seek her. The gall that woman has."

"She should have talked to us, not run off on her own." The pretty antivan looked dispraising.

"Hell no, she should not. We need her, by Andrastes flaming underwear. And anyway, if she needs help, needs us .. I had hoped she would trust me enough to tell me. A letter .. a measly letter."

The Inquisitor ground her teeth.

"Let our spies check for invisible ink or something. Maybe the letter has more to tell than can be seen on the surface." She was grasping for straws. "I refuse to believe Leliana would go without a safeguard. Old friends probably means old enemies as far as we know. Maybe we can find out where she went."

"And bring her back. Yes Inquisitor." Josephine cautiously took the letter from her hands and went up to Lelianas desk to gather some of the spies.

It was not a good moment to run into Adaar. "You!"

The shout made Asha freeze instantly. The inquisitor came up behind her in a half-run over the courtyard.

"Just the woman I was looking for." She said grimly and looked the mage up and down.

"You are a mage."

"I think we gathered that, yes." Asha should probably have held her mouth closed.

"A rather cheeky mage today? Fine, I don't care. I have need of you, you will come with me." Adaar took her by the hand and pulled her to the training area, where it was safe to practice not only swordfighting but magic too.

"You will attack, I will defend. If you give me pause I will hit you." The look in the Inquisitors eyes was serious as she grabbed for her sword and shield.

"Why? I don't want to." The mage squeeked and realized the now very inconvenient absence of a staff on her. She had not much time to ponder, because about five seconds later she was ducking and weaving away from Adaar who tried to hit her with the pommel of her sword.

"Defend yourself." The Inquisitor shouted and charged.

Lightning cracked from the mages fingertips and hit the shield Adaar was holding up.

"Ugh." The hairs on the nape of her neck were standing up, but most of the blast had been deflected. "Good! Again!" She was pivoting around to strike out at the mage who desperately tried to get away from the wild woman.

"Why are we doing this?" Asha held her hands up and sent another bolt of lightning at the shield. It was deflected again and did not do much to hold of the Inquisitors advance.

Just before being hit by a shield bash she threw herself to the side, badly grazing her elbow and hip.

"Fight now, talk later." Adaar was panting lightly. That girl was harder to hit than the balls on a dragon .. if dragons had balls. A thought for later, finding out if dragons had ..

Adaar was caught unawares by the next blast. It seemed to feather out from the mages hands and merge back together where she stood. She could only block part of it and grunted under the impact of the energy that threatened to knock the air from her lungs.

"You are not even trying." She hissed and looked down at the mage, whose pale face seemed to be streaked by dirt and tears now. "Stand up!"

"No!" Asha looked at her defiantly. "I don't even know why we are doing this. You are my Inquisitor, I don't want to hurt you. One full blast of lightning at the wrong time to the wrong area and you may sustain serious injury."

The mage was sitting on the ground cradling her right elbow. "You don't have templar-training, you can only block. It's not fair."

"You seriously want to imply you could hurt me?" Adaar laughed now. "I have fought a wannabe-god, I fought dragons."

"You did, but it takes just a bit of bad luck. Please don't make me do this." Asha pleaded with her.

"She is right you know." The commander was standing there. How long did he watch? The mage wiped at her dirty face.

"Right? You don't seem to be in your right mind man." Adaar looked at him with a brow raised.

"You are angry." He remarked and the Inquisitor had to admit that he was right in that.

"So I am, but that does not change anything."

"We know, all of us know, that she could not best you in fight. Who could? But making it hurt like hell? Probably. She does not even have a staff on her, makers breath, she is unfocused. It's a miracle she even hit you at all, moving around like that."

Adaar considered his words silently, still wanting to bash something or someone with her shield.

"I need a mage. I needed to test her." She pushed out her chin.

"Consider her tested." The commander grabbed for his own shield and a training-sword. "I think you have seen what she can do .. and won't do."

Adaar grinned now, this promised to be even more fun.

"She is quick on her feet. I think I can use her." She agreed. "You want to spar with me?"

"Can't hurt." Cullen gave a lopsided grin.

"Oh, it will." Adaaar charged.

Asha limped back to the healing-tent, leaving the clanging of the fight between the two warriors behind her. That last tumble had been a bit too hard. She was expecting a huge bruise to form on her hip. But it could have been far worse. Adaar had held back too, but one bash of this shield to the face and she would have been out like a candle.

Even a friendly shove of the big woman could throw her around like a reed in a storm.

Silently she applied a potion to her injuries and wove a light healing spell. Healing magic was useful, but she liked to limit it's uses.

The way the body was prompted to repair damages far too fast could take a toll on it. It was not to be taken lightly. Nevertheless the Inquisitor had said it was a test. So probably she would be needed soon. She could not be limping behind if it came to that.

"What bronto chewed you up?" One of the other healers had seen her in the corner of the tent. "That looks painful." The young man poked at Ashas injured elbow. She hissed sharply.

"Because it is." She turned away from him.

"Okay. I'll get some more water. We clean that up, your face too and you'll shine again in no time."

The man was friendly enough, he had surely found his call in healing. Of course he was no mage, most of those were sitting in one of the towers, studying magic and old tomes that may hold mysteries to help the inquisition in her errands. But it was one of the people who kept the keep running, as important as any of them.

Asha smiled absentmindedly. They would all do their part. And maybe Adaar would tell her later, why she received such a treatment at her hands. The woman was clearly beside herself, maybe there was something else she could do apart from receiving a battering.

He found her again in the healers tent.

"There you are." His soft voice made her heart beat faster.

"I got a .. small laceration here. Help me with that? Maybe?"

The commander did not look much better than Asha did just half an hour before.

The latter hurried to get a poultice and materials to clean the wound. As she dabbed at the handsome face with a desinfectant solution made from elfroot and blood lotus the commander winced.

"She did not lie, it did hurt." Nevertheless he sounded amused.

"She does that good." Asha smiled concentrating on dressing the wound. "Just leave the poultice on for an hour, then let the wound breathe again. You won't know it was there in a day or two."

"Thank you." He scanned her face thoughtfully while Asha suddenly found her hands in her lap to be of much interest.

"She wants you to be ready tomorrow morning. Get a robe with good enchantments from the quartermaster, take your best staff and meet up with the others in the great hall. You'll be fighting bandits I think, maybe some apostates with them." Cullens voice had taken on a serious tone.

"You fought with us at Adamant and in the Arbor Wilds, I know you can do it. She will not let any harm come to her companions, but it's different than fighting in an army." He gave her an encouraging nod as he left the tent. "Take care."

She looked blankly at the opening where the commander had disappeared. The Inquisitor requested her assistance so soon. But it was what she wanted, was it not? Being of use, fight for those who could not fight for themselves. Asha was determined. As soon as she saw the quartermaster and gathered her supplies.

The smooth wood of her staff felt cold as she grabbed it out from under the bed. More spider's webs. She had not used it since the fight in the Arbor Wilds.

The terror she felt when the dragon swept over their heads, the giant wings beating the air. The hissing of the giant beast and the fireballs that came hurtling towards the soldiers and her alike, it was hell. But she lived. Many lived that day and some died. Some of them in her arms.

She felt only pity but no remorse. There was nothing she could have done for a better outcome. All of them had trusted their inquisitor and her general, who led them into battle. And their trust had never been misplaced, she was sure of that.

Tomorrow now she would follow Adaar again. Not to the sparring grounds this time. This time it would be a real fight. She might die... The thought faded as sleep claimed her.

The bandits were located in an abandoned fort on the Exalted Plains. They had barricaded themselves in, but it was foolish to think they could have stood against the Inquisitor.

Adaar rushed the obstacles and broke many a crate and rib in the process.

Seeing her in a real fight was surreal.

At her side the Iron Bull cleaved his own way through the bandits with that giant axe he was wielding. Both were obviously enjoying the onslaught, taunting their enemy and bantering.

"Aren't you glad you're here to see that?" Varric asked, as he put a quarrel through the eyesocket of an apostate that was just preparing a spell against them.

Asha sent a chain lightning through a row of bowmen trying to take cover behind some crates. She nodded mutely.

This was necessity. Those bandits harried the region, killed innocents. Nevertheless it was good to let go for once. Using full force against an enemy, feeling all that magic at your fingertips and actually being able to unleash it. She could almost see why some would aspire to even more power, even consorting with demons in the process.

When the last bandit was dead and all wounds sustained in the fight were tended to she allowed herself to exhale.

"Now that was fun." Adaar had an expression of accomplishment on her face.

"Held your own nicely Sparks." The Bull smiled at Asha and she felt herself blushing at the praise.

"I'm content." Adaar agreed. "Now if we find out were those old friends of Leliana are, that called her away from us you may accompany us there too."

"Leliana is gone?" Asha had noticed the absence of the spy at the edge of her consciousness, but did not read too much into it, until now.

"That she is, left but a letter." The Bull growled.

For some reason the image of Neria came up before Ashas inner eye. The mistress of spies did not have that many old friends. What if it really was the Hero of Ferelden that had called upon her.

She mentioned her suspicion on the way back to the Skyhold, which sparked an interesting argument whether or not that fabled woman would even still be alive.

"She was a Grey Warden, possibilities are she went mad like the others under Corypheus' influence or died of some other cause. Wardens die all the time with all that darkspawn in the deep roads." Adaar argued.

"If she was in Weisshaupt things don't look good either. We have not heard anything from the wardens there for some time now." Even Varric seemed doubtful.

"She survived when noone thought she would." The mage could not believe her old acquaintance would die so easily. "It may be her."

The dwarf sighed. "If it is, there's probably something big on the horizon kid. Let's pray she only went to Val Royeaux to buy a new pair of shoes or something."

Though the Inquisitor and her companions doubted, that Leliana had run off with the Hero of Ferelden Adaar had her remaining advisors look into the matter.

They sent people looking for clues about the path Neria Surana had taken after the blight in Ferelden ended.

It turned out, that the hero had taken on the title of Warden Commander of Ferelden, freeing the arldom of Amaranthine of yet another darkspawn threat. The other warden who had been there during the blight and was supposedly her lover had traveled to Weisshaupt in the meantime.

Soon after the situation in Amaranthine had been resolved Neria Surana transferred her titles and land to her second in command, one Nathaniel Howe and left with unknown destination.

It was weird for an elf and mage to own an arldom and a title of nobility, but probably not more so than it was for a Qunari, Adaar mused.

It seemed Weisshaupt would be their best lead as the Warden may well have followed her beloved there. Adaar decided to send some spies first. If the Weisshaupt-Wardens did not answer letters, maybe it was good to learn what was going on there by sending people.

She was still not sure any of this would bring them closer to retrieving Leliana, but as long as no other idea presented itself this would have to do.

Magic had it's restrictions. Sadly the washing of clothes did not seem to fall into the category of things it could do. Dust and dirt and bits of hay were one thing, but the newly aquired bloodstaines on her robes gave Asha a hard time.

She was scrubbing away at them with a grim set to her jaw and wondered if the Inquisitor had to do her own laundry. Probably not anymore. Maybe she could sneak some of her robes between Adaars garments and have the washerwomen take care of this ordeal.

Killing bandits sounded like so much fun, until you met with the aftermath of your endeavors.

Asha sighed and put the now slightly cleaner robe back into her basket. The stain was almost gone, maybe some hours in the sun would take care of the rest.

Turning she almost collided with a shining breastplate.

"You always meet me at my best." She commented wryly, looking up into the face of commander Cullen.

She sheepishly tugged at the moist hem of her sleeves. "How may I serve you commander?"

"Have you got to say it like that?" The man asked irritated. Asha almost felt bad about it.

"May I help you with something?" She tried again and he seemed pleased with the new phrasing.

"No." He replied, taking her by surprise. "I just had some time on my hands and thought you were up for another game of chess maybe. But it seems you are preoccupied."

The urge to throw away the damn laundry and just walk off with the commander was overwhelming, but a deeply instilled sense of duty prevented Asha from it.

"You could help, you know?" - Maker no. Her mouth was once more running faster than her brains. Playing chess with your superiors, fine, you can do that. You do not ask them to help you hang your laundry.

Before she could say another word the cursed man took the full basket and started to carry it over to the clothesline. The whole situation was surreal. She had the commander of the keeps army hang clothes .. mages robes of all things .. undergarments .. no.

Regrettably no hole in the ground opened up to swallow her. No rift in the fade either, to throw some demons at them as a welcome distraction. Just a nice, clear day in the brisk mountain air, sun shining, hanging clothes.

And he did not seem fazed by it at all. The man was an enigma.

Their game of chess later on was enjoyable as usual. It probably did not help, that Asha always felt distracted by the mans presence. She grit her teeth, begrudging him that unfair advantage over her.

When he started to give her advice on the elimination of bloodstains on her battle robes she almost lost it.

"You know, as a templar recruit I've done my share of laundry." Maker, she was dying inside.

"You know your secrets are safe with me." She pressed out stifling a giggle.

"I know." He said and it sounded solemn.

Asha looked up at him in wonderment. What was that about now?

"I have spoken to no one but the Inquisitor about the things that happened at the circle during the blight." He started. "And neither did you."

She nodded. "I may have mentioned that there were problems, that I was there and that I lived. But I don't tell stories that are not my own." Asha averted her eyes, closing them briefly to get the image of a broken man, full of hate out of her head.

"When I stopped taking the lyrium, there was a moment of weakness. I told Adaar about some of the things that transpired back then." Cullen twirled a pawn in his hand absentmindedly.

"You don't have to be too careful about what you tell her. I doubt you know more than what I already told her."

"You don't take lyrium anymore?" Asha had never heard of a templar, who went through the pains of withdrawal after taking the stuff for as long a time as Cullen must have had.

"No. It's still hard sometimes. The pain not so much, that was in the beginning, but the dreams..." His voice faded.

"However, I think I've won. Again." He grinned now. "Your boasts of me losing when we started playing seem to have been empty. A pity."

"You don't give me enough credit." Asha complained. "I've won on occasion."

The former templar smiled and nodded. They were almost tied in wins and losses. Taking her lightly resulted in crushing defeat, but teasing her was just too much fun.

In the circle she was always just a silent figure on the sidelines, of no interest and heavily overshadowed by the glowing figure of Neria Surana.

Here in the keeps gardens, fiercely competing against him at the chessboard she had grown on him as a dear friend. One who already knew his darkest hour and did not condemn him for it.

"We got her!" The exclamation sounded loudly through the great hall. It was not the dark skinned womans typical behaviour to call out to her Inquisitor like this, but Josephine was thrilled.

"Leliana?" Adaar hurried to walk up to her advisor.

"No, sadly not." Josephine looked sheepish. "But we have a strong hint on the whereabouts of Neria Surana. That is something, isn't it?"

Adaar tried not to let her disappointment show. "That's good work Josephine. Let's talk at the war table and plan our next steps."

Josephine signaled to one of the servants to call for the commander and followed into the map room.

"The Warden was seen in Orzammar." The antivan proudly proclaimed after the three of them were standing around the table. "King Bhelen was happy to hear from us. Relations to the dwarfs of Orzammar are excellent at the moment. He sent a formal invite. He want's to see the Inquisitor."

"I thought the dwarfs did not care much for the hole in our sky, as long as there was enough rock above their heads?" Adaar liftet am eyebrow incredulous.

Josephine saw need to explain: "King Bhelen is a quite forward-looking dwarf, very progressive. And even more conservative dwarfs were happy to hear about the death of Corypheus."

"As he was basically a darkspawn. They hate that. I get it." The Inquisitor nodded.

"You should not go there alone." The commander added. "A small retinue should suffice, but it does not hurt to show a bit of strength. I don't expect fighting in the city itself, but as the Inquisitor you have to hold up appearances as well."

"Politics .. oh joy." Adaar did not sound cheerful at all.

"It's all politics with the dwarfs. Some say it's worse than in the noble society of Orlais." Josephine did not give her any hope at all.

"As long as he tells us what we need to know that Bhelen can plot and scheme as much as he wants." Adaar decided.

"And he will." Cullen nodded. The dwarfs were infamous for their ruthless politic scheming.

"You'll tag along. Honnleath is in the mountains near Orzammar, you must have had dealings with dwarfs when you lived there." The Inquisitors voice dared her commander to object.

"I was only a child growing up in Honnleath, that does not account for much. But if you are sure I'm not needed here." He sounded doubtful.

"I'm sure the washerwomen will manage without you for a while." Adaars eyes twinkled with mirth. Cullen turned red. "There is no shame in hanging laundry." He tried a weak protest.

"Especially when the view is so nice." Josephine chimed in.

Makers breath, these women were incorrigible.

"I'll join your retinue in Orzammar." The man finally conceded. They still had Cassandra staying at the keep and while her efforts rebuilding the order of Seekers took a lot of her time, she would be able to help Josephine run things smoothly during the time of their absence.

The time on the road was not so bad. The air was crisp and clean and the sun shone brightly. Their group was traveling at a slower pace than usual, as they were accompanied by a small host. It was almost as slow as the trek to the Arbor Wilds, though they were not nearly as many people this time.

The mountain paths were so narrow, that sometimes only two horses could walk side by side. That stretched their party farther than they liked, but there was nothing to be done about it.

They should have arrived in a days march, but nothing went as planned. When thescouts came back with the message, that one of the narrower paths ahead was bnlocked by debris they had to come to a halt in one of the valleys.

"Andrastes tits, can't anything ever go according to plan?" Varric gave the mountains a surly glance.

"The scouts say it's just a small landslide. But to cross it with the horses and supplies we have to clean it away first." Adaar tried to placate him. "I like that as much as you do, but with all these people in tow it was clear we would not be there in a days ride."

Varric nodded and sighed. "I had just hoped we could throw up camp in front of Orzammars gates. Not out in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. But I guess we'll freeze our asses off either way."

"You may do that dwarf." The Bull laughed as he put his arms around the Inquisitor. "I plan on keeping this ass warm."

"We have tents, woolen blankets, fire and provisions enough to easily last more than a night out here if needed." Adaar was unconcerned. "Nobody will freeze off anything, if they are not so stupid as to wander out alone in night and snow."

"And we have wine." The Bull smiled brightly.

"A present for King Bhelen Josephine packed. Those are really rare. You don't think we can?" His lover looked up to him skeptical.

"Why not, we still have some kegs of good ale out there as well, even enough to keep the men happy. We will travel lighter tomorrow and the king will appreciate whatever surface-spirits we bring him. Dwarven ale tastes like mud and nug droppings." Bull just knew, she was already convinced. The choice between the happiness of her and her own and some vague political hullabaloo was easy for Adaar to make.

"I'll tell the soldiers to set up camp and find a contingent to help with the debris." The commander announced. "Before night falls we will have a secure position and the first part of the work will be done. Then they shall open some of the ale. Not to much, mind you, the sentinels have to stay sober. I don't want any surprises."

Adaar nodded. Her friends and advisors were reliable people. She did not doubt that they could continue on their way tomorrow morning. And another night camping out would not be so bad.

"You know, we could play a game of Wicked Grace later." She said to Varric who looked up at her abashed.

"I fear not." He admitted, "You won't believe it, but I did not bring the cards."

"There have to be cards in this camp somewhere? We can hardly sit down to a game of truth or dare, can we?"

The Inquisitors protest made Varric grin. "Why not? Could be fun."

Adaar looked thoughful. "The others would not participate in that surely. I just know they would drop out."

"Let that be my concern." Varric chuckled and went off, probably searching for the other members of their inner circle.

Later that night they all met up in the big tent of the Inquisitor. Braziers were illuminating the soft walled room and thick blankets provided places to sit. It was as warm and cozy as it could get in the cold mountain night.

Adaar was nestled down beside the Iron Bull, who held a tankard full of finest Tevinter Red in his free hand. Cullen was standing beside a brazier, a chalice in his hand and thoughts of flight in his head. This did not look like the war council Varric had insinuated it would be.

There were no maps to be seen, no papers with information partaining to the dwarf-clans. There were not even cards out. Not that he was objecting to an evening with friends, but he had the nagging feeling his Inquisitor and the dwarf were planning something.

The tent flap opened and in came a gust of cold wind and snowflakes followed by a pale faced mage and Varric, who gently pushed her inside.

"Still cold, but far from storm. Looking good Inquisitor." Varric announced cheerfully.

"Seems our party is now complete." Adaar stood and pushed a chalice of wine in the stunned mages hands.

The cup was cold, as were Ashas fingers they closed around it shivering. Varric sauntered back to his own cup, already standing there and sat.

"Varric told me he would get you here and that he did." The Inquisitor smiled at her friends.

"Sadly we are missing some of our friends out here tonight, but I'm sure it will be an enjoyable evening nonetheless."

"As far as war councils tend to be enjoyable." Cullen took a shot at it. "But I guess I have been mistaken?"

"I lied." Varric shrugged and smiled.

"Certainly." The Commander was unsurprised. "What have you told her?" He indicated a nod in Ashas direction.

"He told me nothing. Just grabbed me and dragged me here." The mage, still standing in front of the tent flap, pouted. "People seem to enjoy doing that to me."

Her glance over to the Inquisitor did not went unnoticed but was met with a bright smile by the same.

"Sorry about that Sparks. It was but a test, next time I tell you to join my training proper." Adaar had obviously adopted the nickname Bull had given her.

"So, what is the plan? I notice the absence of cards." Ashas perception was spot on, but she took a seat beside Varric unconcerned. Fleeing was not an option, when Inquisitor Adaar had something on her mind.

As everyone settled into a comfortable place, drink in hands Adaar deigned to enlighten them about her plans for the evening: "Tonight I want to learn more about you. I know, I know, I've asked most of you just about everything, past lives and so on." She waved her hand dismissively.

"But we'll take it up a notch. Let's drink and talk and truth or dare."

"No." Cullen turned to go. "You called us here for childs play?"

"Frightened?" The Qunari woman teased. "I hear the nobles in Orlais play all the time. With higher stakes mind you."

The commander squinted at her. "How do you aquire such ideas woman?"

Adaar grinned. "Please. Humour me, all of you. Just this once."

Cullen settled back down reluctantly with a stern set to his brow.

Asha had a bad feeling about this, but the wine tasted sweet on her tongue and left a nice warm sensation in her stomach. She did honestly not want to leave for her own clammy tent.

"As I am your leader I think it's just fair, that I'll start." Adaar said, taking a sip of wine.

She took a look around at her more or less willing subjects. Her gaze came to a rest on Cullens face who put a hand on his temple, closing his eyes.

"Truth or dare Commander?" Adaar was far to cheerful for his liking. "Truth it is."

"You were a templar, but I don't think you've ever taken a vow of celibacy."

"That is not a question." The annoyed voice of the Commander held traces of fear.

"No, the question is: Have you ever bedded someone?" Adaar grinned. "Not offering Commander, just asking." She had way to much fun with this.

"I did not." The poor man was clearly uncomfortable but tried to answer with as much dignity as possible. "I never searched for that kind of company."

"Really? How old are you Curly?" Varric was clearly surprised.

"It's not your turn to ask I think." He was clearly not answering that.

"Hah, should take you to the Tamassrans one day. They know how to help that." The Bull laughed.

"I don't need help." This had gone too far.

"Fine, fine, you are your own man, get that." Adaar was still chuckling.

The game commenced with Varric answering some not too intrusive questions about Bianca and the Bull telling the story about how he lost his eye and winning a lieutenant. Some secrets were unveiled and more than one stupid task fulfilled. Then the Inquisitor balanced a cup of wine on her horns and got herself wet in the process and everyone was of good cheer once again.

"This was stupid." Adaar laughed.

"Told you, you couldn't do it." Her lover licked a trace of wine from her cheek.

"Stop it. We're still playing." She gently pushed him away and dabbed at herself with a piece of cloth.

"Sparks!" The mage almost jumped as the Inquisitor called her name.

"Truth or dare?"

Oh the things she could ask her. That could be bad. Asha felt herself redden.

"Are your secrets too precious?" Sometimes it seemed as if Adaar could actually read thoughts. More likely she was just damn perceptive.

As soon as the word left her lips, the mage felt it was a mistake: "Dare."

Oh Maker, please just let me juggle some nug droppings or take a dive in a snowdrift.

Her silent prayers were not heard.

"You told us that nice story about your first taste of wine some time before." Adaar began and two people in the tent blanched.

"Well, there is the templar, here are you. You can try again now .. with less puking if the Maker wills it."

Asha felt ill. The look on Cullens face was unreadable.

The mage briefly closed her eyes, then stood and walked over to the commander.

She knelt down to him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. His stubble grazed her lips lightly. See, that was not so bad. No puking involved and all dignity preserved.

The commander looked almost thankful as she sat back down, cradling her cup again.

"That was disappointing." Adaar pouted.

"It was enough." Varric pointed out. "No need to further embarass Curly, we gave him enough grief for one evening I guess."

The dwarfs prestige rose highly in Ashas eyes.

"I think we've all had enough." Cullen decided, emptying his cup. "I will see to the troups and retire." With one last nod he exited the tent.

Varric and the mage excused themselves too, while Adaar and the Bull stayed.

"That was evil." The Bull smiled at his lover. "You could see Sparks making doe-eyes at him forever. She probably has her reasons not acting on it."

"Because she's a wuss." Adaar mumbled.

"Hah, that may be so." He laughed. "But ordering her to kiss him will get her nowhere. Anyway, it's not your problem."

"No, my problem is, that I have not gotten a kiss yet." The Inquisitor grinned. She got her wish.