2.

Cullen stood in the Gallows courtyard, reflecting again on his sins. He had arrived there, expecting the same cold and mistrustful stares he had received from the Templars in Ferelden. To his surprise he had been treated as somewhat of a hero. Killing apostate mages was considered a necessary even enjoyable task by some of the more zealous members of the order. Of course Greagoir had merely hinted at his crimes, wishing only for the problem to be gone. Cullen had prayed for forgiveness at every possible chance, using any spare time he had to visit the Chantry. He had long and involved talks with Grand Cleric Elthina, her guidance and compassion helping to still some of the guilt he carried with him. He refused to let all of the guilt go, wearing it wrapped around his heart as a talisman to keep him from doing anything so horrendous again.

His apparent piety and resolve had not gone unnoticed by Knight Commander Meredith and he had quickly risen through the ranks, securing the title of Knight Captain quickly. He had tried to reject it, feeling that he did not deserve such, but the steely gaze of Meredith had quieted his protestations, and he had accepted it with all the dignity he could muster. He decided that if he had to wear the title he would make sure his actions befitted it. He treated mages and their families with understanding and compassion, only using violence when absolutely necessary, preferring to send the younger recruits or hire outside help to secure mages who were hell bent on destruction.

It was during one of his vigils in the courtyard, that he noticed that young man Garrett Hawke. He was an accomplished duellist, who wore two sparkling daggers on his back with pride. Hawke had made quite the name for himself, working with the Red Iron mercenary band, and now it would seem he was trying to round up enough money to secure a place as partner on a Deep Roads expedition. Standing slightly behind the young man, was a startlingly beautiful woman, she had the same shiny black hair as her brother, but it fell in waves, framing a delicate and innocent face. He could feel an energy vibrating from her and sensed right away that she was a mage. He sighed heavily, if the stories he had heard about Hawke were true, he had no hope of bringing in his sister without a fight. His gaze held onto the apostate, taking in her beauty and grace, telling himself that he was only studying her so closely to ascertain the best way of taking her in. No answer came to him readily and unwilling to start a confrontation then and there he decided that it would be prudent to leave them be for now. He thought about sending a few recruits to bring her in, but not wanting to send the young men and women to their deaths, he took the easy option and pretended he didn't know.