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Justinain 9:30 Dragon

"Again!" Enchanter Bryant commanded as he erected a barrier around himself.

Adrianne sprinted toward him, a large glowing sword in hand, determined to break his shield. A bright blinding light illuminated their surroundings as she struck the barrier with powerful and forceful blows. Energy surged from pedstal to pedstal containing the burst of magical energy. Using her staff, she cast a disrupting spell simultaneously as she went in for her last strike.

The barrier shattered into thousands of spectacles of light before Adrianne collapsed to the ground. Her breaths ragged from the grueling exercises. Her face dripping with sweat. She had made much progress in endurance training since the Circle had been pledged to the King's army.

The darkspawan threat loomed ahead of them. Although Knight Commander Gregor was reluctant to pledge his support, he knew that if these monsters were not kept in check, everything around them, life itself would fall into darkness. Even the most devoted templar would loosen the leash at such high stakes. As a result, he handpicked the mages that would be permitted to join. Adrianne was among the ones that were chosen.

Gregor placed Enchanter Bryant and Senior Enchanter Uldred in charge of prepping the mages for battle. All endured long practices and studies. However, the Knight Enchanters received the brunt of that prep.

The Knight Enchanters had long and rigorous training sessions in preparation. Sacks of rocks strapped to their backs to build their stamina. Pressure tests to increase their willpower. Regular education about the dangers of a possible Blight as well mana conserving exercises. Armor fittings as well as daily spars where now part of their daily regime. The Knight Enchanter's will and determination to push back the darkspawn were as strong as their bodies. It was only a matter of time until they put that training into battle.

Enchanter Bryant would have no less than perfection from this group of men and women. He just had his own way of saying it.

"Your balance and breathing were off. If this were a real battle, you would've died the second you broke my barrier. However," he explained while offering Adrianne his hand to help her up "not a bad show. It's enough that you at least won't die the first five seconds of battle,"

Adrianne laughed while trying to relax her breathing. Enchanter Bryant was a hard man to please. "Not bad" was one of the best compliments he was capable of giving. Aside from the typical "it was okay". Not even the impending danger they were about to encounter could dampen his attitude.

However, she understood his caution. This would be a real battle. A single mistake could cost her her life. Even though he never said it aloud, Enchanter Bryant made it his goal to make sure she survived. His prolonged sessions with her and harsh commentary were proof of that. It was touching, and she appreciated it. Enchanter Bryant would deny that he cared that much about her. He tried to cover up his worry by remaining his distant and uninterested self.

Adrianne knew that he cared.

Adrianne chugged down water from her water skin before answering, " Good to know," she replied as the water's cooling effects began taking effect.

Enchanter Bryant sighed deeply"We'll call it a day. Wouldn't want you to strain yourself over your lack of breathing skills now, wouldn't we? You'll need all the rest you can get. We have a long journey ahead of us," He said with what was as close to humorous insult as he could achieve in these dire circumstances.

Adrianne gave him a smug face, " Yes. Wouldn't want a repeat when I had to save your arse from drowning in that lake now," she countered. She wanted to take his mind off the precarious situation as best she could. She wanted to get a laugh out of him. In all the years she's known him, she had yet to hear his laughter.

Enchanter Bryant coughed to cover up his embarrassment, "Different situation, different time," in low voice he said, " I thought we agreed to never bring that up"

Adrianne gave him a sly smile before walking away. However, she turned back and smiled softly, "We'll make it out of there. I promise,"

Enchanter Bryant stared off into the distance as he did that day when he spoke of the templar named Herah. His face held the same emotion. Adrianne never found who she was and what she meant to him. She wondered if he was thinking of her.

After moments of silence Enchanter Bryant reluctantly replied, "I hope so,"

After a quick bath and a fresh set of robes, Adrianne heard Cullen's voice. Stumbling and stuttering over words.

"I um, you see...um I just..." He kept repeating to a lovely female Templar.

Adrianne hid behind a wall to watch it go down. This encounter reminded her of the times back in Honnelath when he attempted to speak to girls. It was as funny to watch then as it was now.

The woman had amusement plastered all over her face, " Yes, you just what?"

"Well, I um...um..Knight Commander Gregor told me to tell you to report to...to his office," he finally said after many attempts.

Same old Cullen

She nodded before leaving him breathless behind her. Adrianne, felt a twinge of jealousy and envy at the other woman. She sighed at how silly she was acting. It wasn't as if she ever had a chance.

Cullen leaned against the wall as sweat dripped from his face after watching the woman leave. Adrianne laughed silently. She wondered if this was the first time he talked to the other woman.

It had been some time since she had spoken in depth to Cullen. They didn't talk like they use to. Their conversations of late had been short and to the point. 'Hello' and 'Goodbye'. No more alone time or secret talks. They had assumed their roles as templar and mage. Keeping their relationship to a minimum. This divide between them had an impacted them now more than ever.

With her last nights in the Circle slowly ticking away, Adrianne wanted it to be like the good old days. The days when everything wasn't complicated. Where it didn't matter that she was a mage and he was a templar. That it only mattered they were two wonderful friends. People. Just two people like that full night on the Circle's rooftop. It felt as if it was a century ago, not the year it had been. However, it was still fresh in her mind. Adrianne remembered that night with fondness. They were equals. Equals for a short while. Then Cullen told her they were to never be alone like that again.

After that, it wasn't the same between them anymore.

Adrianne wanted only to talk. To hear his voice one last time before she left.

Adrianne approached Cullen once he was alone, "Still controlled by your man-brain? Or by a pretty face," she joke lightly. She didn't want to push him too hard. No need for senseless anger.

He resumed his 'templar look'. A faithful to the Chantry and the Templar Order he was. Always following everything by the rules and striving to be the best. Never stopping once to rest himself.

He cleared his throat, "Enchanter Adrianne," he stumbled over her name while trying to remain composed and to keep his voice curt.

Adrianne shook her head and laughed. Even after all these years, he still couldn't say her actual name. This was what she needed as the anxiety in the pit of her stomach began to ease up.

It sounded strange to be called "Enchanter Adrianne". Foreign coming off lips.

"Knight Corporal Cullen," she bowed," I saw how entranced you were by the beautiful maid yonder. An enticing minx was she?" she teased. The extra formality was humorous to her ears.

Cullen allowed a speck of emotion to escape his "cold" demeanor. He looked both ways quickly to make sure they weren't being watched and exhaled a deep breath. His shoulders slumped forward, and he relaxed slightly. He had tired bags under his eyes. His recent promotion to Knight-Corporal left him with long shifts and long nights.

"You're going to get me in trouble one day," he sighed.

Adrianne smirked, "I like trouble,"

He laughed wearily, "I'm sure you do,"he replied while trying to wipe the tiredness from his face.

Adrianne smiled as she walked toward him. He seemed to move backwards as she went forwards. Adrianne smile slowly turned into hurt. It felt like a slap in the face. Adrianne could feel an ache spread across her chest. Moisture welled up in her eyes. She willed herself not to cry. To shake off his actions as she always did.

However, it became harder and harder to ignore it and bounce back from it. It left her worse for wear every time. Every single time.

Cullen tensed again as she moved closer. It was involuntary, an ingrained reaction. A reaction a templar always did when a mage was around. Of course this act would've been pounded into their heads. They would always have to keep an eye out on them. No matter who or what they were to the templar. No matter if the mage posed no threat.

Adrianne stopped moving toward him, and turned away. A slow tear trailed down her cheek and she wiped it away quickly. All this time she was afraid she would lose what she had left of him to the Order. She never thought to look in front of her.

He was already gone. Slowly before her eyes. She never could've stopped it. It was bound to happen.

Adrianne had already lost him; she just refused to see it. She acted the fool to try and convince herself it would be like the good old days. That by just talking to him now would solve everything. She should've known better. Life wasn't that fair.

It was heartbreaking to see this falling apart before her eyes. From childhood friends to strangers they've become. Never did she imagine that this would've ever happened.

She could tell by how he looked at her now that it was difficult to be a mage's friend. He was probably teased endlessly about it. How he most likely had to deal with rumors and gossip among his peers.

Cullen had dreamt of being a templar since they met. This was his dream. She supported that when they were kids and now that they were grown. She began to doubt whether he supported her being a mage. That he would stand behind her and be proud of who and what she was.

Adrianne came to a point and wondered would he ever do the same for her. To go out of his way to talk to her as he did that first time. Whatever the answer was, Adrianne wasn't she wanted to know. Before he came, she was fine. She accepted things as they were, as Enchanter Bryant encouraged her to. Those feelings she held for him just a whisper in the back of her mind.

Everything changed once he was back. She wanted things she couldn't have. That she could never have even if she wanted to. She wanted his approval. She wanted him to need her. In reality, he never needed. After all their exchanges, Adrianne wasn't sure if he ever truly missed her. Perhaps he was just fancying her to make her feel better.

She wondered where her self-pride, and self- love went. Did he even want this friendship? Was she just wasting her time?

Adrianne had enough. No more trying to mend what can't be fixed. No more trying to fight the long standing divide between mages and templars. To accept the norm and be done with it. For both their sakes. Adrianne loved herself too much to continue on like this.

This was why mages and templars were never friends. There would always be that distrust between them.

Adrianne laughed bitterly,"You know...since you've arrived, I've been doing all I can to preserve this friendship we've had," she tried to blink away the tears. Adrianne didn't want Cullen to see her weakness, but she wanted him to feel her anger, "And everyday since you've arrived, you've been growing farther and farther away. It's almost as if you're scared to be my friend. That my magic is after you ," she said with a strained voice.

Cullen's brows furrowed, "I have to be cautious at all times. Not all mages are like you. Some legitimately want to hurt templars. Knight Commander Gregor tells us we must remain vigilant,"

The more he spoke the angrier she became. It was as if she didn't know him, and he didn't know her.

"So you think I'll turn into an abomination, then? That I'll murder you? Is that it?" Adrianne accused.

"It's my position as a templar! I have to watch for these things! I can't trust-" he stopped mid-sentence before closing his mouth promptly. Cullen knew what he was going to say and regretted it immediately.

Adrianne knew exactly what he was going to say.

You. I can't trust you.

It was a blow to the heart like no other. She could feel the hurt she hadn't felt in many years return. She swore to herself she would never let anyone or anything make her feel like that. This would be the only Adrianne would allow herself to break that promise.

Adrianne nodded slowly smiling bitterly with tears falling down her cheeks," Well...," she looked and breathed deeply," you don't have to worry about that anymore. You'll never see me again,"

She walked away, ignoring his calls to her.

Mic drop.

Well, this chapter was a pain to write. A pain as in it was hard to write because it went through so many dang edits. So if this chapter is not up to par, you will most likely see another edit soon.

As always, thank you all who review and follow! I really appreciate it!

Thank you for reading!