Madame de Fer, frankly, was a bitch.

But, she was a powerful mage and Tessa didn't know whether she disliked the woman or not.

It became evident when Vivienne decided to dismiss the problems both Templars and mages had to deal with in the Circles and just put mages in the wrong immediately. Tessa knew that both sides of the war had viable claims and she felt that saying neither had reason to revolt was just foolish.

Tessa was livid.

"So, every mage in existence is a weak willed vessel just waiting to be filled while Templars are the evil tyrants everyone claims they are?" Tessa countered, crossing her arms.

Tessa had just wanted to see if the woman was comfortable and how she was handling her new role in the Inquisition, but it suddenly became an ethical debate.

"You should know, my dear. Lydia told me all about your experience. She never said your name but I figured it out when you mentioned she was your mentor," Vivienne noted nonchalantly.

Tessa stiffened, clenching her fists before forcing herself to relax. "They're not all like him," she argued.

"You say that, my dear, but what about what happened at Kirkwall? What almost happened to you was a normal occurrence there. And to think, the man that let all of that happen is now in charge of the army. Interesting."

Tessa bit back a retort, quickly buttered up Vivienne's ego a little before promptly walking out of the Chantry.

Lydia told someone?!

Tessa marched out of the front gates of Haven, ignoring Varric or anyone else that greeted her and she halted in front of Cassandra, who was inspecting the practice dummies.

"I need practice."

Cassandra studied her evenly for a few moments before just holding out a practice sword to the Herald. "You look like you need to hit something."

Tessa awkwardly held the sword and looked at it in her hand. It didn't look right, but it would have to do. She grasped the handle in both hands and swung with all her might at the dummy's head.

Cassandra gave her some tips and just stood to the side as the Herald hacked at the dummy, letting out squeals of frustration every once in a while.

The mage finally just dropped the sword and quickly grabbed the staff on her back and started to club any part she could reach. She started to imagine the dummy being the man that Vivienne had mentioned earlier and that only made her put more power in her swings.

After what seemed like ages, Tessa finally dropped her staff out of exhaustion and sat next to Cassandra on a nearby bench.

"What was that about?"

"None of your business," Tessa immediately snapped.

The Seeker arched a brow and Tessa regretted her snippy attitude immediately. "I'm sorry. Madame de Fer hit a nerve earlier."

Cassandra snorted. "Ugh, I can't stand her," she paused and her expression softened slightly, "May I ask what nerve she hit?"

"I...don't want to talk about it."

"Why not? Talking about it solves things faster."

Irritation rose up in Tessa again. "Then why don't you talk about your brother? That's a nerve!"

The two women glared at each other for a moment before they both sighed. "I'm sorry, See-"

"Do not apologize. This is just a case of the pot calling the kettle black. You're right."

They sat in a tense silence, just staring out at the practice yard. Tessa knew she would truly have to apologize to the Seeker, despite what she said. Cassandra had been becoming more of an ally and-dare Tessa say it-friend and she didn't deserve to be snapped at. Tessa knew Cassandra's feelings weren't hurt, but it was wrong of the mage to treat her that way.

"I truly am sorry."

"Ugh, stop it. I know."

Questions started to swirl in Tessa's mind, now that the haze of anger wasn't clouding it. Her mentor, Senior Enchanter Lydia, had told someone about what happened to her at Ostwick when she was 16. That certain story was supposed to remain in the utmost secrecy. It didn't help that Tessa was now wondering what Cullen's role at Kirkwall really was.

If there was one thing Tessa couldn't stand, it was bystanders. People who were indecisive or scared to take action irritated her beyond belief.

There was a bystander in the library when Ser Aiden decided to…she shook the memory away.

Was Cullen a bystander? For some reason, she had to know.

Later that evening, she happened to run into him while going into the tavern for dinner. The Commander seemed to be just leaving and he gave her a small smile. It immediately fell when she halted in her tracks and just stared at him.

"Are you alright?"

"Can we talk?"