SAMSON POV
I heard it when Cullen entered the room, letting out a sigh. I watched him from my peripheral as he ran a hand onto the back of his neck and through his hair. One hand on his sword's pommel, the other on some papers. He wrote a few things down before finally speaking at me,
"I do hope that you are grateful for your luck." I snorted back at him,
"You call this luck? I'm not sure whether it's good or bad." His eyes shot to me then, glaring,
"Consider it a blessing either way." He paused for a moment, "The Lady Enchanter Fiona and her Senior Mages asked for you. I will have you escorted to them."
"More questioning I assume?"
"That is what the Inquisitor deemed as your punishment after all."
"Yes, yes. Serving the Inquisition and answering the myriad of questions to come my way. I suppose it beats being in a cell or exiled to where ever for the rest of my days." Cullen slammed his hands down onto his desk in frustration,
"Guards! Have this man escorted to Lady Enchanter Fiona right now." I smiled at how easy it still was to get under his skin. Three soldiers came and nearly put me in chains. I smirked walking out of his office. None of the guards spoke to me at all during my short walk to the library and the small room where Fiona, Darlana and four other older mages waited. I noted that Darlana was laying on a small loveseat, being tended to by a younger mage. A small twinge of guilt ran through me. I'd seen mana-spent mages many times before, but for her to still be so exhausted even after what had to be close to two hours?
'One more mage you hurt. How many will be added to pile before you're done?' Fiona's voice snapped me from my thoughts.
"Ah you're finally here, good. I assume the Commander told you that you were to be questioned?" I smile at her best I can,
"Yes Enchanter. I assume it is about my treatment?" The elven mage nodded and sat down close to Darlana, holding her hand,
"Indeed. My most senior and trusted mages have been talking this one out. We had hoped that the effects of red lyrium and your resistance to it would be less taxing on Darlana's abilities, but no such luck. So we ask you how the treatment went from your perspective, as to help us gain insight onto how often we should conduct such therapies."
"As often as is it convenient for her. She's the one with the magic, not I." The mages all exchanged glances, so I continued, "I brought the lyrium down upon myself Lady Enchanter. It is only by the Inquisition's will that I was granted this chance to heal. She is my healer, and I leave it for her to decide." Darlana looked at me then, our eyes meeting. She had come to a bit more now, having had proper time to rest. Her eyes were a rich brown, and judging from the shape of them and the color of her skin; I'd say she has quite the bit of Rivainni heritage. She spoke up, her voice stronger than before as well,
"Are you certain Samson? You did not tell Lady Enchanter Fiona of your perspective of the treatment yet."
"Aye. Well Enchanter; I can tell you the numbness in my fingers and toes has stopped, and the red lyrium effects on my mind have quelled, but I can still feel the song calling to me, though not as loudly." Fiona tilted her head, intent on my words, "My thoughts seem much clearer, but certain things are still foggy. I've yet to check a looking glass, but one of the soldiers did have the guts to tell me my eyes looked less red." I watched as the apprentice that was once tending to Darlana instead furiously writing all of it down.
"I see. That is similar to what she has told us as well. No…unusual side effects?" Fiona spoke, her tone changing at end to one of caution.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Enchanter. No one told me of the other possible side effects."
"Tendency towards violence and…other raunchy behavior is not unheard of."
'So that's what Cullen was so worried about when I caught her.' Although it was enjoyable and almost pleasurable to have the treatment done; I'd felt nothing of the sort that Fiona described.
"No Enchanter, none yet." She exhaled a breath of relief.
"Good. What do you say Darlana? Continue this man's treatment once a week?" She turned towards the dark-skinned mage, who responded,
"Twice a week. He'll recover faster that way."
"Are you certain dear? You alone know the toll to such things." Fiona's voice was steady, yet full of concern.
"Yes Lady Enchanter. I am sure." She attempted a strong nod, and almost got through it before resting her forehead onto her hand. Fiona raised a brow but said no more.
"Very well then. I know an argument with you would go nowhere. Do you agree to this Samson?" She said to me, turning to look in my direction. Her question almost came as a shock.
"It's not like I have a choice, Lady Enchanter. So yes; I agree."
"Then I work out the arrangements with Commander Cullen. I'm sure you'll be informed by nightfall."
"Thank you Lady Enchanter." I spared one more look to Darlana, and left, being escorted back to my tower to wait. I walked over to where they had the pile of wood from cleaning this place up. Some places in Skyhold still weren't yet fixed up, and I had asked the Inquisitor if part of my penance could be made repairing the fortress. Surprising that they agreed. In the small spans of weeks, Nearly all of the towers and been cleared and repaired, the hallway that lead to the war room re-built, and that hole over Cullen's bedroom had been sealed.
'Always putting the needs of others over himself. Such a moral Templar. Such a good example for everyone to follow. Wonder if he ever got snow in his knockers.' I half frowned, half snickered to myself at the thought, moving the wood around into a neater stack. I move to the candelabras, righting them. Soon enough the door cracks open, one of the elven serving girls come with the night's meal. I get up to walk to her and she nearly drops the tray, squealing. Down on one knee and murmuring pleas of 'Don't hurt me ser!" before I even make it to the door. I take the tray from her shaking hands, though whether from cold or fear; I can't tell.
"I'm not going to hurt anyone anymore. Commander Cullen would kill me himself for that no matter the consequences." I pause and glance over the blonde haired elf, "You're new here aren't you? Those biddies in the kitchen didn't bother to tell you whom you were sending this meal to did they?" I watched her back up on her heels, violently shaking her head no.
"All they said was to deliver this meal to the man the tower right next to the Commander's! They told me I could spit in it if I wanted to!"
"Why am I not surprised…" I set the tray down on a nearby table, returning to her. "Go on. It's always cold at night here." She nodded her head and was so fast down the stairs I barely had time to blink. I shake my head and close the door, returning to the supper. 'It even still looks warm this time.' And it was. Simple leftover meat and vegetables put into a stew. I enjoy it, as much as I can. I finish and hear a soft knock on the door. "It's open."
"Samson?" Darlana enters, and I look past her to see the two guards standing post outside the door. I stand, putting the food tray outside my door, straightening myself up as best as I can,
"Miss Darlana? What brings you here so late?" I eye each one of her guards. 'Cullen's men to be sure.'
"I came to check on you, and to try a little bit more therapy."
"Not to protest Miss, but you were awfully spent last time you tried that and I don't think our dear Commander would be happy if he found out that you were doing such without his oversight." She shook her head and took confident steps towards me. 'Such a change from this morning.' I watched her as she came closer but also eyed her guards as they followed. I was brought forth from my reverie when one of her hands made its way around my neck to the back of my head, the other over my heart.
"I have a theory, and I want to test it with you, rest assured ser, I won't spend myself as I did this morning."
"Very well mage, go on." I felt the hand on the base of neck apply pressure, tilting my head down. Our foreheads met and I soon felt the magic come through her hands. But it was when the magic flow between our connected foreheads did I gasp. I heard the guards draw their weapons. Darlana was undeterred,
"It's alright gentlemen. I have him for now." The men lowered their blades, but did not sheathe them. She continued, pressing further magics into me.
'Sweet Maker's cock it's becoming so hot!' I felt myself start to pant, hands sweating. 'Don't touch her Samson. Those guards will skewer you before you can blink.' She must have sensed my discomfort for the magic stopped and she pulled away, only slightly woozy.
"It appears my theory is correct. Thank you, ser Samson."
"I'm not a knight anymore, milady." She gave a wry grin,
"I suppose not, but you have the manners of one when needed. That's more than I can say for Templars, in the order or no." I raised a brow at her.
"What was your theory exactly, if you do not mind me asking?" Her eyes sparkled a bit.
"I had a theory that if I went through therapy with you like I had with other Templars, that you would respond better and heal faster, albeit at the risk of certain…side effects. It seems I was correct." Her eyes only gleamed more with mischief. "I will inform Commander Cullen and Enchanter Fiona about this development. It is my hope that they allow me to continue you treatment like this. It will help you, I think, and it will most certainly make your treatment go faster. Unless, of course, you have objections?"
I was awestruck a bit, but then realized what she was playing at. "No, no of course not, Miss. This is the Inquisition's choice after all." She smirked, nodded, turned and was out the door with her guards before I could say anything else. I sat down on the bed and sighed.
"What have you gotten yourself into now, Samson?"