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Harvestmere 9:28 Dragon

Sweat dripped down Adrianne's brow as she struggled to hold her body up on her elbows. Her arms shook with tiredness and she hoped she wouldn't drop. The ground was calling her name.

Adrianne, along with several other mages and templars were balanced on their elbows, with their knees not touching the ground, back straight and holding their own body weight parallel to the the ground. It was a test of willpower as well as strength. Every passing minute it became harder and harder to hold themselves up. However, neither side was willing to give the other the satisfaction of seeing them fall to the ground.

One by one, she heard her fellow mages strength give out from trying to remain upright for so long. Adrianne wanted to join them, but giving up and losing went against her inner competitor. That, and Enchanter Bryant made her do this exercise on a weekly basis. She was a professional at this.

Adrianne wasn't about to let these templar arses beat her at her own game. She was the last one standing of the mages. She just imagined the looks on the templar's faces. Adrianne heard the shouts of her fellow mages cheering her on as the templars began dropping like flies.

These friendly competitions between mages and templars were the closest thing to camaraderie, or something like it, they had. Although Gregor was reluctant to even have these friendly non violent competitions, Irving convinced the Knight Commander it was ease the atmosphere between the two groups. It was a reminder that there was a person beneath their armor or robe. It helped ease the undeniable tension between them. That, and it gave them something to do when things got too boring around the Circle.

Most were betting a week's rations of cookies on this. It would be cruel to let them down.

"C'mon Adrianne! You're the last one standing! Only one left is-

Cullen

She should've known he would've participated in this. A chance to socialize with his fellow templars, and to show what he was worth. Not that Adrianne was complaining, a chance to see those arm and back muscles ripple across his skin, or his golden hair become damp was worth the seering pain her muscles were in.

As always, they were toe to toe to see who would be the one to come out on top. Neither would be willing to give the other the gloating rights. Adrianne wanted to be sure it was her.

Her muscles began protesting and wobbling violently as the time ticked by slowly. Adrianne's determination could've kept her going until the early morn. Her body had other plans. The physical prowness she worked endlessly on reached its limit.

Adrianne dropped to the floor breathing in huge amounts air. She couldn't lift herself up, much less see if Cullen was still up. Her body felt heavy, as if she had weights attached to her.

"Who won?" she groaned as she felt the tightness return to her muscles.

"Well...no one. You sweaty bastards dropped at the same time. It's a tie," her roommate announced.

"What?!" Adrianne screeched as she struggled to rise, only to fall face first to the ground.

She turned her face sideways against the cool floor to see Cullen in a similar position as her. He gave her a soft smile that put her already hazy brain into an immense thick fog. Adrianne grinned in return. It was a small moment between them, but it was theirs.

Since his arrival at the Circle, they had been distant. It was understandable. He being a templar, and she being a mage, it was hard to talk to one another without looking suspicious. In this Circle, rumors spread like wildfire. A mage and templar caught talking in secret would be the fuel that would have the gossips talking.

Despite this, they found moments to speak in peace. When they did, it was usually recounting the old times they had. It would usually end with Cullen growing quiet when they spoke about events that happened toward the end of those simple days. Whether he was guilty for being part of the Order that separated her from her family, or out of respect for Adrianne, she would never know. She always reassured him it was for the best. That who knows what could've happened if she wasn't taken here. She could've hurt her family or others. Maybe she would've hurt herself. She told him reasons and justifications to put his mind at ease.

Of course, Adrianne's Fade imaginings told her of what could've been, but she kept silent about those. Better that way.

It was difficult to maintain that careless innocence they once had. To say their relationship wasn't affected because of the mage templar divide, would be bending the truth. Not as much as people would think, but it was there. The slight distrust she would see in his eyes as he watched her perform spells in the practice area, or how he would tense whenever she would hone her abilities with the other Knight Enchanters in big shows of power.

True to his position, Cullen was always weary. Even with her.

Adrianne's feelings for him made that all the more difficult. She knew nothing could ever happen between them. The consequences were too great. For both of them if he shared her feelings. And from what Adrianne could tell, he didn't. He didn't grow nervous around her as he did with other women. He didn't view her as a romantic option. Adrianne didn't know how to feel about that. That she never had chance, or if that chance was taken from her.

However, she pushed those fantasies as far back she could. Instead, Adrianne focused on being as good of a person and friend to Cullen as she could be to avoid muddling things between them. Bending over backwards to ensure her feelings didn't complicate anything. It was bad enough that their positions made their friendship difficult, no need to add romance to the mix.

Having enough of her thoughts reminding her of the burdens of ill fated relationships, Adrianne sighed"Lua, help me up. I think a three hour nap is in my near future," she said before giving Cullen one last glance.

Lua helped Adrianne all the way to their shared quarters and tucked her into bed. Adrianne heard the other woman laughed and wondered what was up.

"What's with all the smiles?" she asked.

"Oh nothing. Just thinking about all the betting that went into this. A lot of rations went in. Whoever predicted a tie won," Lua responded.

"Who would ever bet rations on a tie?" Adrianne asked in confusion.

"Apparently Irving. Didn't think I would live to see the day that man gambles, but there you haveit. Had a cheeky grin, too. Well now that you're here, I'm going back to see the aftermath. Wouldn't miss that for anything, no offense," Lua replied while walking away.

Adrianne laughed tiredly before being pulled into a dreamless dream. For once, she was thankful for it.


My dearest Adrianne,

Your last letter was rather short? Are you ill? Or have you lost the proper lady skills to write a sentimental and touching prose to your sister? I wouldn't be surprised that place you mages call home lacks adequate lessons in letter writing. How you survive there still eludes me to this day. Whatever the case may be Adrianne Chantelle Calligaris, I do hope you are alright. Don't make me come all the way from Antiva City to Ferelden, I do it, and nag you in front of all the mages and templars too.

Father has returned from Orlais. He said Empress Celene paid a fortune for the slippers. Apparently she even made a position in the Orlesian Court as official shoemaker and decided to overlook your ban from the Winter Palace (they remember you dear). A bit too informal for my tastes, but a title is a title. She even paid chevaliers due to send us the finest Orlesian wines and fabrics to our door. If only you were here. You would be donning a new dress every day.

Adeline is as rambuctious as ever. She is a lady yet a sailor all in the same. What am I to do with her is beyond me. She is humorous, I do concede. Where she gets all these strange ideas is Maker knows where.

As for me, well, I've been busy. With betrothals. For me. A political nobody, unless you count the connections I made from my stint as bard, then yes. The idea is...alluring. Father,the dear he is, gave me the choice who I would pick, if any, and when. Everything on me. He said he doesn't want to force anything upon me. As eldest to the one of the most wealthiest merchant families in Antiva, I have a duty to this family to secure our future.

One of the options is from House Otranto. I along with House Montilyet's eldest daughter are being considered as possible candidates for their son, Adorno Ciel Otranto. I've had encounters with him...he is a quite charming and handsome man. And respectful to boot. However, I didn't want to make a choice without running it by you first, so with this letter, I've written the names of the other men and their heraldry in addition to family mannerisms and shoe measurements.

I do hope to hear from you soon. I miss you terribly. I often wonder if you're happy or sad or lonely. Please hang in there, if not for me, for yourself. I promise one day I'll free you. I vow to you. A lady never breaks her commitments.

Your loving sister,

Isabel Aurore Calligaris (Izzy)

Adrianne traced the script over and over before hugging the letter to her chest. She could almost feel Isabel hugging her back. It brought a smile to Adrianne's face.

She was sitting in the window sill overlooking Lake Calehand as she read Isabel's letter. It was peaceful here and secluded whenever Adrianne wanted to read her letters away from the prying eyes of passerbys in her room. The view was a bonus. Today was no exception.

The sun shone and danced across the water's surface. What Adrianne wouldn't do for a swim right now. The last time she had a quality swim was when she was fourteen. And even then, she had to rescue Enchanter Bryant from drowning. The bugger never told her he didn't how to swim. Had too much pride, it seemed to be shown up by his own student.

Adrianne reread Isabel's letter as the soothing affects of the sun's rays made the letter all the more intimate. How she missed the Lady Isabel was unexplainable. No amount of words could express what she felt.

Adrianne opened her next letter and began reading.

My daring girl,

I have no doubt Isabel has written you regarding Empress Celene's excitement over the slippers. When she wanted a pearl, sapphire, aquamarine adorned and silver encrusted slipper, I would've been surprised if she didn't like them. A side note, apparently your chandelier swing has become an infamous tale in the Winter Palace. The same guard works that area too. Nearly had a panic attack when he saw me coming. Poor man. The look on his face: priceless.

I hope you're well. I think of you often when I'm on my trips. I blame myself when I look in the mirror. If I was there, I could've taken us far away. Away from the ones who took you. You'd think I learned my lesson, but no: I'm always away from Isabel and Adeline. At least they have a permanent home now instead of being whisked this way and that as you all were when you were younger. I'm afraid I'll never learn.

Isabel's been receiving betrothals from a number of families. If she decides to marry, I promised her I wouldn't miss it for the world. I want to at least keep that promise. I owe her at least that. She raised you girls without a single complaint or word otherwise. She deserves something for herself.

I hope you write soon. Sometimes I feel as if these letters are all that keeps me in good health.

With all my love,

Marcus Fernando Calligaris

Adrianne heard soft footsteps, and looked up to see Cullen staring at her. She smiled when he didn't seem to notice. She cleared her throat and looked back at Cullen. He jumped when he saw her staring back.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to intrude, I swear," he explained.

Adrianne smirked faintly, feeling a bit down traught after reading her family's letters, "It's alright,"

He eyed her letters before speaking, "Are those from your family?" he asked.

Adrianne nodded, "Isabel's been receiving betrothal offerings," she laughed as she pulled out the stack of possible options, "Even sent me notices to review her choices,"

"I don't know how you feel about that," he said.

Adrianne shrugged, "She always wanted to be the wife of a lord. 'To rule as an equal to my lord husband. Never under his whim. His power is my power.' She would always say. Said politics needed more women ruling beside their husbands rather than subservient to them. Also, she always liked the riches. Explained why she love The Game so much. Too much pish posh for my tastes, but it makes Isabel happy," she answered back quietly.

She sighed as she looked back at the lake. How beautiful looked from here.

Cullen sat down on a nearby crate. Changing the subject after noticing how quiet Adrianne got, he asked, "How do your arms feel?"

She wiggled her tender arm a little and they both laughed at her struggle, "Like a soggy noodle. Can't believe we tied,"

He grinned while shaking his head, "Well, apparently no one was meant to win. I was going to congratulate you, but you were whisked away before I had the chance,"

Adrianne tensed. She didn't think he noticed, but she should've known better. He saw everything.

"Well, I needed rest," she lied. The real reason was more complex than that, and he knew it, but said nothing.

They remained quite afterwards. There was tense thick air between them. They looked anywhere but at each other. Adrianne focused on floorboard while Cullen looked out the window behind her. Neither of them were willing to speak or bring up a topic that had not already been talked about. It felt as if the silence would never end. Adrianne swore the walls were talking about how quite they were. She was going mad.

It was maddening how awkward they were. They use to be able to talk for hours on end. Now they couldn't even mutter a sentence without silence ensuing. How much had changed.

She looked down, "I'm sure you're busy right now. I should go," she said quickly.

Adrianne rose to leave when Cullen stopped her, "I," he began as a faint blush formed over his cheeks, "I'm glad I found you again. I know it's hard to see with us being so...apart, but I'm truly thankful that you're here with me,"

Her heart stopped and sang with joy. The warmth she felt from her chest traveled up her neck and to her face. She tried to pinch herself to see if this was a dream. If her mind was playing a cruel trick on her again. That she wasn't just imagining him speaking that. That this was real.

She always wanted to hear him say that. To hear him speak of how he was happy to have her around. To give her a small silly chance of their what if.

With a soft gaze, she said truthfully, "I'm glad too,"

Why did fate have to be so cruel.

I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. It was kinda difficult to write. By the way, they were doing a plank competition in the beginning. Just in case it was a bit obscure. Well, anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please feel free to review or give some criticism. Either or.

Also I apologize for the no update yesterday. I had the chapter I was going to post written and edited, but it didn't fit, for a lack of a better word, here in this slot. So basically, I have to make two or three more chapters to have that part make sense.

Before I forget to mention, there will be a rating change to M soon. I won't mention why for story reasons, so I'll leave it at that. Probably in like three chapters. I think. Haven't decided yet.

As always, thank you for reading.