"Cullen!"

His name was a sharp crack against the sounds of the practice fighting around him. He looked up from the men in front of him just in time to see the Inquisitor rushing towards him, Leliana and Josephine close behind.

He started to reply but stopped as she all but crashed into him, her fingers curling ineffectually into the armor on his arms. He lifted his hands to her shoulders to steady her, his gaze moving to the other advisors and the twin looks of worry they wore.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you to send soldiers, you're best soldiers. As many as you can."

He looked back down at the elven woman, noting the way her skin seemed drawn around her face, her freckles standing out in sharp contrast to the worrisome pallor of her skin. She shifted, seemingly unable to stay still, her eyes darting from him to the soldiers that had all stopped fighting when she ran up. It was all wrong. She was the type who never seemed to put energy into anything, even when fighting she cast her spells and wielded her staff as if it was all a lazy afterthought that she only put as much effort into as was absolutely needed.

Seeing her, of all people, so on edge made worry settle in his gut. "Tell me what's happened."

"There isn't time for-" He cut off her words with a shake of his head and a squeeze of his hands. "Nell, tell me what's happened."

She shot a look back to Leliana who stepped forward and offered him a folded letter. He lifted a hand to take it even as Leliana spoke. "It seems that the Inquisitor's clan has come under several attacks recently. They are requesting aid since they don't know how much longer they will be able to hold out on their own."

She continued, stating something about needing to see who was behind the attacks, while he skimmed the letter himself. It wasn't until Nell shouted that he returned his focus to what was being said.

"I'm not going to leave them to fend for themselves while your people slink around back allies! It's not important who's doing it."

"Of course it's important, Inquisitor. We can't be sure that the attacks will stop unless we know who is behind them."

He felt Nell practically vibrate under his hand, and tightened his grip automatically. He watched as she opened her mouth to speak, seemed to check herself, and then tried again. "You can look for that answer to your heart's content after we send them immediate help."

She turned back to face him, her words turning slightly desperate again. "Can you send soldiers?"

"Of course. I'll send out a contingent today."

He watched as her shoulders slumped in relief though her expression did not clear. "Thank you."

He started to step away from her, fully intending to immediately follow through with his word, but her worried frown stopped him. He thought briefly about the fact that his fellow advisors were still watching them, along with a large part of Skyhold's recruits, but they seemed unimportant in the face of seeing her look so lost.

So he didn't hesitate before rubbing a thumb over the furrow between her eyes, and lowering his own brow to hers. "It will be alright."

She gave a jerky nod, her forehead bumping against his with the movement. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath before speaking again. "I hope so."

It was probably the best he would get until the whole matter was resolved, so he skimmed his lips over her cheek and turned away to summon his men.