Knight's Bloom

by R2s Muse

Disclaimer: Dragon Age and its characters belong to Bioware. I'm just borrowing and enjoying putting words into their mouths.


A/N: As we begin Act 2, some new arrivals in town create more challenges for Hawke and Cullen.


Chapter 9: Maelstrom

Kirkwall was a sight to see the week of the Grand Cleric's investiture. The city had probably never been so clean, festive and full of life. The start of winter had been so mild it seemed the whole city was outside to enjoy the wonder and delight of the celebrations. One could almost ignore the ghastly statues everywhere and pretend the City of Chains wasn't built on eons of slavery and misery. It of course helped that Hawke had made the days around the investiture a city holiday.

Throughout the week there were official delegations coming in from all over the Free Marches, from cities large and small. Each new group seemed to try to outmatch the previous in the extravagance of their tall ships, processionals and liveried entourages that rolled into the city.

Then, there was the arrival of the Grand Cleric herself. It seemed that the procession of Orlesian clergy and marching Templars spread back for miles, reaching from the top of Hightown all the way down to the docking ships. At its head, dressed in grand robes and walking up the steps at a slow, stately pace was the new Grand Cleric herself. The people had lined the streets for hours to afford even a brief look. So beloved was the former Grand Cleric Elthina that everyone was excited to see who the Divine, in her infinite wisdom, would have chosen to succeed her.

Hawke had déjà vu as she stood on the steps of the Keep with Cullen, Tilda, and Mother Christiane to officially greet the new Grand Cleric. Hawke was again wearing her damnable circlet, and Cullen was again laughing at her misery and whispering in her ear to stop fidgeting. However, this time the streets surrounding the Keep were filled with a throng of people wanting to catch their first glimpse of Grand Cleric Augusta. Hawke felt like she was at the calm center of a maelstrom, and wondered when it would sweep her up and pull her under.

When the Grand Cleric finally arrived at the Keep, she stopped at the bottom of the steps to look out at the crowd and wave regally. The frenzied cheers peaked, becoming almost deafening, while she stood still for a moment allowing the adulation to flow around her.

Very dramatic, Hawke thought. She caught Cullen's eyes, which were already dancing in silent laughter.

Augusta Terreneau had the same presence and gravitas of former Grand Cleric Elthina, but there the similarities ended. Elthina had a gentle grace and warmth that was apparent in every expression and movement. In contrast, Augusta's motions seemed decisive and mechanical. As her steel grey eyes swept around the crowd, they were cold and calculating. Moreover, despite her benevolent smile, she somehow appeared to disapprove of everything she saw.

Slowly, the Grand Cleric made her way up the final stairs towards them, with an escort of initiates trailing behind her.

As Augusta drew close, Mother Christiane ran forward. "Welcome, Your Grace, to Kirkwall. Grand Cleric Augusta Terreneau, please, allow me to present to you Viscountess Hawke, Knight-Commander Cullen and First Enchanter Stormcorne."

Hawke's welcome was frozen on her lips as Christiane stole her moment. Recovering, she smiled at the Grand Cleric, but as she started to speak, Augusta turned instead to Cullen.

"Knight-Commander," Augusta said in a ringing voice. "I have heard very good things about your record and ability. Meredith was a dear, dear friend. I look forward to working with you. I am sure you have been quite rudderless since she and Elthina departed this world. That we shall soon remedy."

"Your humble servant, Your Grace," Cullen said, inclining his head.

Incredibly, Augusta then turned to Tilda, saying only, "First Enchanter."

"Your Grace," Tilda replied with a respectful curtsy.

At last, the Grand Cleric turned back to Hawke. "And, you must be Hawke. So unusual to see a mage in such a position. It must be quite exhilarating for you."

Hawke had no idea what to say to such a rude pronouncement. "I live but to serve, Your Grace," she said diplomatically. "I hope your journey was not too taxing?"

Augusta ignored this pleasantry. "Indeed. Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him. It seems perhaps Kirkwall has forgotten some of the commandments of the Maker. Something else we shall remedy." She gave Hawke a smile that did not reach her flat eyes and swept past them into the Keep.

I have gained an enemy today. Hawke felt herself shiver and wondered if the maelstrom was finally ready to pull her under.

ooXXoo

Amid all the pomp and circumstance of the official arrivals, came a small and swift entourage that arrived only two days before the investiture. With almost no advance notice, Hawke was still stumbling outside when Sebastian Vael, the new Prince of Starkhaven, arrived at the Keep. Sebastian still wore his signature white armor, but it was now accompanied by a rich looking green cloak and a simple gold circlet on his head. Sebastian had always been the image of a Prince to her, but seeing him crowned made her a bit weak in the knees. He took the steps two at a time, while his retinue followed him at a more stately pace.

His blue eyes were bright and sparkling and, when he reached her, he gave her a big grin and a sweeping bow. She laughed and couldn't resist throwing her arms around him in delight after all these months. Instead of the usual reserve he had always maintained with her, this time he returned her embrace, also laughing, and then took her hand in both of his.

"Marian Hawke, you are a sight for sore eyes." He beamed at her and continued to hold her hand.

"Sebastian, I just can't believe it. I'm so happy for you. Prince of Starkhaven at last. Your family would be so proud."

"I surely hope that might be so. But none of this would have been possible if not for you. Your Excellency," he said expressively with his charming brogue. For some reason this made her blush.

It was at this moment that Cullen joined them, apparently having observed the entire scene of the Prince's arrival. He did not look terribly happy, with his eyes trained on their joined hands and his mouth set in a grim line. He strode up to them, but said nothing, as if waiting for Hawke to introduce him.

She quickly pulled her hand from Sebastian's grasp, and turned to him. "Knight-Commander Cullen, I would like to introduce you to Sebastian Vael, Prince of Starkhaven."

They shook hands firmly, and Sebastian was the first to speak. "The pleasure is all mine, Knight-Commander. I understand that some of my thanks should be directed to you, since certain . . . shall we say, resources seem to have been made available to the Kirkwall guard shortly before they arrived to aid me in Starkhaven. You have my eternal gratitude and that of Starkhaven."

"Actually you are mistaken, Prince Vael. All the credit, and thus thanks, for your sweeping victory should go to Viscountess Hawke. The Order played no part in your ascendance to the throne." Cullen seemed to be serious, evincing not even a hint of irony, and thus sounded almost rude.

Sebastian, however, did not let this ruffle him in the slightest. He instead looked at Hawke warmly. "Well then I will reserve all my official gratitude for you then, Hawke. I will do my best to make it up to you someday." There was a promise in his eyes that spoke of more than official thank yous.

Hawke tried to think of something to change the subject and lessen the tension and disapproval she felt radiating from Cullen. "I hope your travels from Starkhaven were uneventful. You've arrived only just in time. The assembly will start tomorrow and the investiture the day after."

"We actually made quite good time. We've had so much to do that I could only spare a few days away this week. But I'll be ready for the assembly tomorrow. It will be quite an education, I believe, for us both. Have you attended such a Free Marches assembly before, Knight-Commander?" he asked.

"I have not," Cullen said evenly. "I am not aware of one occurring since I came to Kirkwall."

"Yes, I think my parents had only attended maybe one in the last fifteen years. Does the Knight-Commander typically attend these meetings?" Sebastian asked innocently.

Hawke gave a laugh that was only slightly forced. "I don't know about typically, but this year he certainly will," she interjected quickly, already feeling Cullen bristle a little. "You know, I'm a little cold. Why don't we go inside and get out of the wind."

ooXXoo

Shortly after they entered the Keep they ran into Aveline, who also congratulated Vael. Cullen watched the three old friends chat and surreptitiously tried to measure up this Prince Sebastian Vael of Starkhaven.

He hadn't expected someone who was so young and handsome and so . . . familiar with Hawke. He knew that they were friends and that Hawke thought highly of him. It hadn't occurred to him until now that there might be something more there than friendship. Unaccountably, this thought put him on edge. He found himself profoundly conflicted, feeling the instinct to leave and avoid watching them together, but at the same time not wanting to let them out of his sight.

He still wasn't exactly sure what was going on between himself and Hawke, but he was certain this was going to be a problem. Over the last few months, his admitted fascination with her had grown into something he would probably call devotion, if he were in good humor. Since today he decidedly was not, he instead opted to call it loyalty. They were very loyal friends, and it bothered him that he didn't know what was going on with this . . . Prince. It bothered him all the more that he himself had helped Vael regain that title.

Their conversation caught his attention again when he heard Hawke ask, "So, Sebastian, are you sure you'll be okay staying here at the Keep? As I've said, you're more than welcome to stay at the estate again."

"No, Hawke," Vael demurred, "thank you for your offer, but with so many of my people to look after, we couldn't possibly impose on you. We'll be just fine here for the few days that we're in town."

"Well you'll have to come to dinner tonight then. I've already sent word to Varric and Merrill. Aveline, you're coming with Donnic, right?" Aveline nodded. Then Hawke looked at Cullen. "Cullen, of course you'll come, too."

"Unfortunately, I am otherwise engaged this evening. But I'm sure you'll all enjoy catching up without me," Cullen said politely. The last thing he could imagine enjoying would be joining their little group and feeling like the outsider all night. Hawke looked puzzled and a little crestfallen, which simultaneously made him feel guilty and yet a little pleased.

"Hawke, that sounds wonderful, and I would be delighted to come," Vael said smoothly. "But, now Excellency, if I might have a word in private." With a twinkle in his blue eyes, he smiled confidently at her.

"Of course, Sebastian." She nodded at Aveline, gave Cullen a small smile, and then led Vael toward her office.

Cullen didn't like the almost predatory expression on the Prince's face as the man followed Hawke down the hall. Cullen wondered if perhaps he should stay until this private interview was over. To make sure all is well, he explained to himself.

As Hawke walked away, she looked back over her shoulder once, caught his eye for a moment, and then continued on. Interpreting that as a tacit request to wait for her, he ordered his retinue to return to the Gallows without him. Then, he settled in to wait near the balcony.

Observing this, Aveline walked over and nodded her head. "Knight-Commander. You're not returning to the Gallows?"

"Not just yet, Guard-Captain. I . . . have something I need to discuss further with the Viscountess."

Aveline gave him a piercing look which made him feel like a schoolboy telling tales. After a moment she said, "Cullen, some advice. Hawke appreciates straightforward talk. And, I'm willing to bet, that's what she's getting from Sebastian right now." She nodded again. "Knight-Commander." She then strode off to her own office.

Cullen stood there gawking after her, bewildered as to her meaning. She doesn't think . . . I don't really . . . What could they be talking about in there?

ooXXoo

Hawke sat down at her desk, motioning Sebastian to sit down across from her. Sebastian closed the doors behind them and then turned to her but remained standing.

"Hawke," he began, as if choosing his words very carefully. "You know that your support has meant the world to me. For years I've worked toward this day, to have finally avenged my family and to have set the kingdom to rights again. It's been you that has made it all possible, from your help dispatching the mercenary assassins, to uncovering the origins of the plot, to pledging Kirkwall's support to retake my seat. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Sebastian, I don't know if I can take credit for quite so much. Despite what Cullen said." She gave him a wry smile. "Above all, it has been your perseverance and dedication that has made you succeed."

"Hawke, you're too modest, but then that has always been one of your strengths." He smiled warmly.

"Sebastian, stop, or you'll make me blush. Please, sit down, tell me how you've been, how the campaign went. What is it like being Prince after all this time?"

He hesitated but sat down. "I imagine being Prince is about what it was like for you becoming Viscountess. It's definitely a different view, but many of the challenges are familiar. You seem to have really found your footing here."

"Well, I try. There are certainly days when I think it would be easier out in the back alleys, fighting our way through sneering villains in black hats."

He laughed. "Yes, it was comforting to face villains who distinguished themselves with obvious sneering and evildoing. In politics the villains are a bit harder to recognize."

"Very true. But, I learned quite a bit from you on how to manage some of that. And luckily, now I have Cullen to help me see through a lot of the masquerade."

Sebastian gave her a searching look but seemed to reconsider what he was about to say.

He paused and then his brow furrowed a little. "Hawke, there are strange tales afoot beyond Kirkwall about what happened here with Meredith and the Circle. There seems to be a growing sense that you started it all in an attempt to grab power That you deliberately killed Meredith and Orsino and then tried to destroy all the mages. What is most strange is that this rumor is whispered in backrooms, like it was all a conspiracy that was covered up."

She sighed. "Lovely. I wonder where all that is coming from?" she said sarcastically.

"Why? Do you know?"

She told him the story of her run in with the Righteous and their silly manifesto. "You should have seen us limping away afterwards, though, Sebastian. It was a little pitiful seeing us so out of practice." She chuckled in some amusement.

"I find it somewhat surprising that a group that sounds so . . . amateurish could spread their message so successfully."

"I don't know that I'd call them successful," she countered. "We haven't seen anything from them since then."

"On the contrary, I think they've been more successful than they may even have intended. Conspiracy theories are amazingly resilient, Hawke. Because the story sounds like it was officially covered up, I think there is very little you can do to counter something like that."

His comment filled her with trepidation, but she said lightly, "Well, I'll just have to get Varric on that."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "So how is Varric?"

"He's good. And, of course, as freewheeling with the truth as ever." I presume, she silently corrected herself since she also hadn't seen him in a while.

After a pause, she asked gently, "Sebastian, how are you? I mean, really?"

The smiling prince wavered before her question and suddenly she was looking again at the man whose world had been devastated when the Chantry was destroyed. Although he already had intended to leave behind his vows and return to Starkhaven, the loss of his home of more than fifteen years had brought a brutal finality to that decision. It had been a week before he could even say Elthina's name without a resurgence of the simmering fury he had carried following the death of his beloved mentor.

He seemed to really consider his answer before he said slowly, "I am well. Seeing Starkhaven restored has done much to ease my mind and soul. I find I'm feeling quite optimistic about the future again."

During her first days as Viscountess, Hawke had been grateful for his tutelage, not so much for herself but because it had given him purpose through those dark times. She had been apprehensive about letting him leave for Starkhaven alone, but planning the campaign had provided him with the focus he had needed. Seeing him now, she concluded that it really had done him a world of good.

"Will it be hard seeing a new Grand Cleric in Elthina's place?" she asked.

"No," he said steadily, his clear blue eyes at last free of the pain that had clouded them whenever the Grand Cleric had been mentioned after her passing. "While I do not believe it was Elthina's time, I know she is at the Maker's side. I am at peace with those events now, as I know she must be. As she would want me to be.

"The new Grand Cleric is a bit . . . different, though. I've heard of Augusta and some of her views. I would watch out for her, Hawke. It seems she has a certain zealotry in her that may not take kindly to a mage in such a position of power."

"Great. And, here I had hoped I was just imagining the fact that she had already threatened me."

"She threatened you?"

"Well, not in so many words. Our interaction was short, but . . . let's just say, full of malice." She smiled crookedly. "Cullen sensed it, too. He thinks we're in for more trouble." She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to dispel her growing headache.

"Hawke, is there something else going on? You seem like you're under a heavy burden. More than just this concern about the Grand Cleric."

She grimaced. "You know, Sebastian, it's funny you say that. I am also in the middle of a rather vexing mystery. I think . . . I think I may have been marked for assassination."

"What? Who are they? Crows?" he asked in concern.

"I don't know." She sighed. "It hurts my head to start thinking about it, because mostly all I have is a feeling. A bad feeling. I used to see this man. This one man, dressed all in black with these strange silver eyes and tattooed hands. Over and over. At first I thought he was a stalker, but there's something about him. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm . . . Well, I'm . . . a little scared."

"Has he tried to harm you?"

"Not . . . significantly. He drained all my mana once, which suggests he might be some kind of former Templar or something. But, otherwise, all he has done so far is watch me. It's unnerving more than anything else."

"What measures have you taken?"

"Nothing much. Aveline has assigned me a guard, and I actually try to take them with me most places I go. Other than that . . . I don't know what else I can do except be vigilant. The last time I saw him was about two months ago, so maybe he's lost interest."

Sebastian walked around the desk and sat down on the edge of it, taking her hands.

"Hawke, do you need me to stay? I could take a respite in Kirkwall for a few weeks. Watch your back like the old days. Help you get to the bottom of these nefarious plots."

"Ah, thank you for the offer, Sebastian, but I couldn't let you do that. Not so soon after finally gaining your throne. Your people need you much more than I do, I'm sorry to say. I really appreciate it, though. It's nice to know I still have your unconditional support." She squeezed his hands and then withdrew hers.

"Marian, you know you have more than that," he said in a low urgent voice. When she looked back at him, he caught her eyes in a riveting gaze. "Do you want me to stay?"

Silence reined as the words fell between them. Is he asking what I think he's asking? Too shocked to respond, her heart started to thud in her chest.

"I believe we have some unfinished business, you and I." His expressive lips twisted into a half smile. "Part of why I came here was to finish those conversations."

"I . . . I . . ." she floundered. I'm not ready to have those conversations yet!

He smiled kindly, standing up. "We don't have to have them now. But, we will before I leave," he promised, as if reading her mind. He executed a courtly bow. "I should get my people settled. I will see you tonight."

ooXXoo

Cullen waited a few minutes after Vael left before he entered her office. She was staring at a blank page on her desk, her quill hanging loosely in her hand, forgotten. She appeared deeply lost in thought, with a slightly anguished look on her face. Angrily, he wondered what Vael had done to upset her.

He knocked on her door softly to try to recall her attention. When she finally became aware of him, she flushed a little.

"I just wanted to make sure all was well," he said uncertainly, sitting down in the chair undoubtedly just vacated by the Prince.

"Thank you, I'm fine. This whole week is just so . . . overwhelming. The joy of seeing old friends is only barely balancing out the fact that the Grand Cleric has declared war on me."

"Hawke, we've been over this. We don't yet know if it is as bad as all that. Maybe the Grand Cleric just needs a chance to get to know you," he tried to joke.

She smiled wanly and then gave an ironic bark of laughter. "Right! Just wait until she does. Then I may actually get to see that dungeon of yours. Or worse." She paused. "Anyway, I wish you would reconsider joining us tonight. I'd really love to have you there."

"I'm sorry, I can't. I told Leon I would review some details about the investiture," he said almost regretfully and then made a mental note to remember to inform Leon of this appointment. "Even if I could, I wouldn't want to interfere in your reunion."

"You wouldn't be interfering, Cullen. You know you're always welcome among my friends. And, I honestly think that . . . you would like Sebastian once you got to know him. You two are actually rather alike in many ways."

He just smiled, unsure how to respond to that. If they were alike, then that's probably why they were unlikely to get along, in his opinion. Ever.

"Is there anything else we should talk about before the assembly tomorrow?" he said, changing the subject.

"Not that I can think of. Aveline has been working overtime, getting the guard and your knights in their place for security. The agenda is set, barring any more last minute additions. I just hope it won't be as boring as I expect," she said, laughing. "You'll be here before it starts, right?"

"Of course. I can't let your nerves get the best of you before your first big assembly."

"Thank you," she said with feeling. "Well, I hope your meeting with Leon tonight doesn't keep you too late. If you're done early . . . you know you could still come by."

"I'll see what I can do," he lied.