Eyes open, Cullen wiped away the dampness from his eyebrow. The night sweats were still plaguing him and when one managed to take him, he would wake up in a wet bed. Giving up on going back to sleep, his bed would need the whole day to dry up, he made his way to the training grounds.

Once outside, Cullen made himself busy with checking the practice dummies and the equipment cache. Dawn painted the sky lavender and orange and it would stay like that for a good while before the first recruit would show up for practice.

It took a while for him to notice that there was someone else up at that ungodly hour. The hooded figure stood far away, practicing fighting positions with a staff. After watching her for a while, he picked up a blunt training sword and walked towards her, watching her with his teacher eyes, analyzing what she could improve in her routine.

Sena stopped in the middle of a movement. She saw him with the corner of her eye and stopped what she was doing. "May I help you, commander?"

Cullen could feel her power pushing against him. "Early bird?"

Sena dug the tip of her staff on the snow and regarded the man in front of her. "One could say that."

"No, please, don't stop. I couldn't help but notice you practicing. You have... good form."

Sena raised one eyebrow. "Is it with this type of honest advice that you train our troops, Commander?"

"Well, I didn't know how to approach you."

The honesty in his voice rang inside her."You can always shoot for honesty. It will always work with me."

"Very well. You need improvement. I could show you, if you like."

"Better." She smiled. "But you don't need to waste your time with me. I am sure your recruits need you."

"My recruits have practice with Cassandra today." He observed her intently. She was standing slightly to her side, with a guarded stance. Why?

"Improve, you say?" She looked at him and raised one eyebrow. "Circle life didn't prepare me for war."

"That would have been very unusual indeed." - A soft smile lifted the right corner of his lips. Sena watched him wearily and no matter what, she couldn't find fault in the man. He was always polite and kind with her. But still, a chill in her stomach flourished in his presence.

Sena lifted her staff as if preparing for attack and Cullen took the cue. They practiced the whole morning, oddly, no one came to find them. She cast low level electricity balls just to make a soft impact and not hurt the man while he defended and attacked. Cullen danced with her, calling her out when she dropped her guard or missed a move.

Cullen noticed her getting tired and lowered his practice sword to give her time to catch her breath. "You use a different staff. I've never seen one like it. Did you craft it yourself?"

Her staff was shorter than the standard size and was half shaft, half an elongated blade. It still had the common tip most staves had, with crystals and runes of focus on it. But when turned around, it became a deadly blade, slightly curved, which could be wielded with both hands.

Sena looked at it and handed him the weapon. "Yes. I wanted something that I could use when I ran out of mana or if I have been Smitten by a Templar." She looked at him, trying to catch every emotion that ran through his face.

Testing the blade with both hands, he felt awkward with it. It was far lighter than his sword and also shorter but not too short. The craftsmanship of it was impressive. He carefully ran his thumb on its edge and the blade cut it like butter, removing the top part of the glove and opening a deep gash on his flash.

"Maker! This blade is sharp!" He pressed on the wound.

"Commander!" She gave him an amused smile. "Here, give me your hand."

"Haha! I feel like an idiot..." His lips pulled into a self admonishing smile.

Cullen observed her closely. She removed his glove and took his hand in hers. She had a concentrated look on her face. When he felt her power pulse and contract, he felt uneasy. It took a some effort to not decline the help but oddly enough, he felt safe. He was also curious, so he braced himself and observed the process, noticing that from the moment she touched him, the sickening feel which usually came with her presence was gone and the pain stopped.

Holding his hand on hers she felt like caring for something important to her, even tho she kept telling herself he was far from it, he was a potential enemy. A Templar. He had the brute strength to do anything he wanted with her, but decided not to do so. His hand was warm and rough from decades of sword training. Sena pushed all her thoughts aside and directed her attention at his tissues, his energy. She allowed his energy inside her and added hers to it, connecting herself to him. Her barrier, incompatible with this process, had melted away. She triggered a soft lavender energy to pour out of her hand and upon connecting with his skin, she visualised the cells multiplying, mending, healing. The process somewhat different from how other mages did it. Her knowledge of physiology from her previous life made her a much more efficient healer.

"Here, good as new." She looked up at him.

Cullen was quiet for a moment. The repelling push about her had ceased and in those fleeting moments, all he felt was the warm and inviting hum of her powers. He looked down at her and her eyes took his breath away. For a brief moment he saw deep molten chocolate swirled with honey. And then it was gone, the repelling push came back. So this is what I have been feeling... she has a spell on. She has a barrier. He was mistified. "Thank you, Herrald." He said with a quiet voice.

"Oh, here, give me this too." She held his glove in her hands and then gave it back to him.

"You mended the glove too? How? I didn't know it was possible."

"It's just a matter of feeling the material and rebinding it. Some are easier than others." And understanding chemistry processes far beyond what this culture has ever grasped.

"Thank you, I appreciate it, Herrald." Cullen went quiet again. This woman before him was a mystery. He wanted to know her better. In a feeble excuse to stay in her company, and also, because he was curious, he asked. "Show me how you use it?"

"The blade?"

"If you don't mind."

With a twist of her wrist, the blade coated itself with a layer of leather. That is how he had usually seen her staff when she walked around town. "They will never know what hit them. Hm?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Something like that. But since I want you to stay very much alive and I will not mend shorn fur, this will stay sheeted." She had a small proud smile on her lips.

His answering smile made her uncomfortable. Shaking it off she raised the bladed side of her staff and started moving. She danced around him like she used to when practicing in her other life, she had been a ninjitsu orange belt, and it was impossible for him to hit her, even with her very rusted moves. She tapped him in key places like the back of his knees and armpits. With each tap, Cullen grew bolder and bolder with his advances.

"Maker! Where did you learn to fight like this?"

From his back, Sena tapped him in the neck. "In another life Commander." Her voice was serious, her brow furrowed. Feeling bold, she lunged forward, but that was a mistake. She never made that move, improvising, and he recognized it immediately and countered with his sword and shield. Her barrier protected her but she spun around and fell on the snow facing up. Had this been a real fight and she without her protection, she would have lost an arm.

"Well, you had to get me at least once, Commander." She gave a small laugh.

"There you are, we need to have a meeting. Mother Gisele has given us information about the Chantry. Herald, we are going to Val Royeaux". Cassandra approached them with a curious look in her eyes. "Have you shown her that she drops her guard after releasing projectiles?"

"Are you all insane! They want me dead!" Sena reached for Cassandra's hands and the warrior pushed her up with one strong pull. "Also, please stop calling me that."

"Projectiles? You didn't use that spell, Herald. Maybe we could work on this, next?" Cullen heard the eagerness in his voice and felt confused. "What's in Val Royaux?"

"What? Oh, yes, no, I was keeping it soft, I didn't want to hurt you." She answered looking at Cassandra.

"I know, but we still need to go. The Chantry is in disarray at the moment and we need to make a move and show them that we are on their side. Leliana will be able to explain it to you in detail."

"But, can't we just write to them?"

Cassandra and Cullen looked at her. Sena knew they were right. "I had to ask… Or do you really think I would walk into a viper's nest on a whim?"

Cullen started laughing but held it in, with a smile. Cassandra looked at him and then at her and a small smile graced her lips. "The Herald had a sense of humor. That's what they'll say about you in the books. You just watch."

Oooo-oooO

Walking through white. Everywhere. The cold was biting. Sena was wearing only her thin night shift, her bare feet left a trail in the snow. If it were not for her ridiculous attire, she would think she was awake. This dream… it was so real. Looking around she found the gates of Haven. The gates were closed and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't get them open.

"Hey! Somebody! Please! Open the gates, I need to get in!" Sena screamed from the tops of her lungs.

The demon was still hot on his heels. His shield was gone, only his sword was left. Cullen limped around the circular corridors of Kinloch-Hold. There was nowhere else to run. All the doors were always locked. He knew this routine. He would run and fight until the demon reached him and shredded him to pieces.

At the far end of one of the countless corridors, there was one open door. The bright white light coming from it didn't allow him to see where it leaded. Without a second thought he ignored the pain in his ankle and ran for it. Anything is better than this.

The door disappeared behind him. Cullen looked at himself and saw that he still wore his old Templar armor. All the signs of his previous battles in his dream were still present on him. He was bloody everywhere and his armor was dented in several places. Am I awake? No...

"It's me! Sena Trevelyan! The Herald, which by the way, I hate being called that! Please, open the gates! I'm freezing!"

Walking aimlessly, Cullen heard the woman before he saw her standing in front of Haven's gates. Another demon, and now, trying to enter the city! He ambled painfully towards the demon, trying to be cautious and silent.

Cullen appeared out of nowhere. Sena turned around and saw the Commander, he looked weary and beaten but he still had a firm grip on his sword. Sena wondered how many battles he had seen, if he had lost any. Even with all that, there was a powerful and sad beauty in him, his features were delicate and strong. The scars which marred his skin never managing to take from his beauty. Sena looked away. Maybe, in another life, Commander. "Don't bother, I've been here almost freezing to death and the doors won't open."

Cullen cursed silently, nevertheless, he readied his sword. "Reveal yourself demon. Your ruse will not work with me."

"Commander! What are you doing! I am no demon!" With a jolt of fear, Sena faced him fully, hands raised ready to defend herself if necessary. The despair she saw in his eyes sparked a deep sentiment inside her, she could feel echoes of his hurt pouring out of him. He was overflown. Of course he too doesn't want me here. And even worse, there is no hope for him, he's hanging by a thread.

Cullen took in the woman in front of him. She was a vision of power and beauty. Her long dark curly hair was free and flowing with the chilling breeze, the simple thin silk camisole she wore hugged her generous form in the most enticing way. Her heavy breasts were unbound and free, her soft waist flared out in hips that were meant to be held tight in the throes of passion. She wasn't fit like a warrior or slight like elven women, nor as heavy as bar maids but almost as generous. She had a proper fullness about her that spoke of her noble blood, of her cloistered life in the Circle. Her face was delicate and soft with features akin to the muses described in ancient lore. Her eyes shone with spirit, wisdom, an awareness of herself and how powerful she was, and their indescribable colour captured his full attention. Her skin was pale and dusted with freckles here and there. He felt his body readying for her. Another Desire demon!

With a heavy heart, he knew what he had to do. No matter what she was, she wasn't the Herald, only an improved and tantalizing version of her. Conjured to undo him. His mind was playing tricks on him yet again."You have no power here demon!" - Before she could do anything, he lunged forward with his sword and penetrated her, deep in her belly.

She screamed in pain. Her red blood poured from the wound. Cullen stepped back and confusion and recognition froze his insides. Wait, this is not supposed to happen. They disappear when I stab them, fight back or, simply ooze black and fall dead. He pulled back the sword.

"I knew I could never trust you, Templar!" - In a wave of rage, Sena walked forward, unmindful of what else he could do to her, she raised her blood soaked hand and slapped him with all her strength, leaving a bloody imprint on his goateed face.

"Herald?" - His voice was hesitant. He was dreaming about Her.

"Disgraceful Templar! Just because I am a mage doesn't mean I am a demon!" - Sena's voice boomed in the snowy landscape. Slowly, she caressed the aura around her body, and skillfully mended her flesh.

Cullen stood there utterly confused, he was in awe of her power and somewhat relieved that he finally was dreaming of something other than horrors. Sena was looking at him with unadulterated hatred in her eyes. He dropped his sword and knelt in front of her. "I am sorry my Lady Herrald. I did not know it was you! You have my vow that I will always protect you, I will never hurt you."

"Your words are hollow to me. You are nothing but a zealot Templar who feels the need to kill every mage you lay eyes on." - With a flick of her wrist, she melted his armor away. Left in only his small clothes, the man immediately started to shiver. - "Freeze." With those last words she walked away.

Cullen saw a history of hurt in her eyes. On his knees and holding himself to keep warm. He watched the mage walk away past him towards the road. The mark of her footsteps on the snow vanishing the further she walked, until she disappeared.

Dimly, behind him, he heard the gates opening.

Oooo-oooO

Sena woke up in a jolt of fear, feeling her midriff, verifying if she was intact. Laying in the silken sheets of the inn just outside Val Royaux, she lay there. Breathless. No hole, no blood. She lifted the covers. No blood. The realization that it was just a dream wasn't enough. Fear still gripped her heart. This is an omen. I need to keep away from that man. But Sena's heart spoke different words. She felt her body warming up with the memory of the Commander's face in complete self admonishment, begging her forgiveness. He had regarded her in awe, with respect. Turning to on her side, she willed herself back to sleep. The trip to Haven will be long enough even if she's not sleep deprived. But the image of the man's half naked form knelt in front of her threatened to pull her into another type of addling dream.

Cullen woke up shivering with cold. His mind took a while to notice that his body wasn't actually cold, but what he was feeling were the lingering memories of his dream. The lyrium abstinence apparently has a new symptom. Maker, give me strength. Cullen donned his armor and set out to walk the sharp memory away. The image of the Lady Herrald and her curves was burned in his memory, she looked like a goddess. Shaking his head, he knew his mind was playing tricks on him. She wasn't all that and even if she was, she never shown an inclination towards him.