Jadell laughed at one of Vin's jokes, making sure to keep an eye on the recruits around her to correct stances as necessary. Technically she had no duties today, as one of the other Inquisition captains was running the exercise, but she had nowhere else she needed to be. Soon enough Dorian would be through with his break and grab Vin away, so it mattered little. The elven mage finished his last bite of sandwich and kissed her cheek before suddenly stiffening a bit. Jadell followed his eyes and followed suit.

"Lady Seeker, this is a surprise..." Any further comment was cut off by Cassandra grabbing the younger woman's arm harshly and pulling her towards the stairs. "Seeker, what..."

"You are coming with me," was the gruff response, "and you will speak to no one of what transpires here." With that, they headed up to Cullen's office, Jadell still feeling quite pulled along.

Cassandra forced open the door and practically threw Jadell into the office, thoroughly surprising the Commander. Jade herself lost her footing, spared from falling to the floor only because she managed to catch herself on the edge of the desk.

"Well Cullen. You asked I provide your replacement," Cassandra spat bitterly. "Is this what you want? A barely grown woman just a few years out of her own training in charge of the forces? Because here it is."

Cullen sputtered. "Maker's breath Cassandra! This is not what I had in mind!"

"There is no one else," the Seeker impressed. "I am needed by the Inquisitor in the field, and Blackwall will not take command. The other Templars who have come to us do not wish to think in broad terms, when they have come at all. Most of the better candidates are bound by the red lyrium or, like Rylen, needed elsewhere. If you are determined to give up command then this half-grown woman is the pick."

Jade felt a shiver. Cullen could not, would not, give up command. It wasn't thinkable! Yet Cassandra indicated that had been his intention...

The young blonde locked eyes with the Commander, letting her uncertainty and surprise flow. He seemed to consider her a long while, then sighed. "No Cassandra. Captain Jadell is not ready for the command, and I will not force it on her if I can help it."

Jade let out a breath she had been unaware was stuck in her lungs, hearing the Seeker behind her do the same. "Keep that in mind next time you make a ridiculous request Cullen. I picked you for a reason. Don't make me regret it." Within seconds the door slammed shut.

Jadell considered disappearing, but her nerves were a bit harder than that. She took a seat across the desk from Cullen, who followed suit.

"I suppose you would like an explanation," he stated, defeated.

"That would seem wise," Jadell noted. "I could guess, but that seems in poor taste."

Cullen groaned as he went into his story with the swiftest recounting possible. As he spoke, Jade just got more confused and kept nodding. When it was evident he intended to stop speaking she sighed. Loudly.

"Commander Cullen, no offense but... I knew you were off the lyrium. I know it isn't easy. Why did you think I couldn't understand if you were a bit off?" When he started to stammer she held her hand up again. "It is none of my business Commander, but I was under the impression I was meant to know. Not as though I would mention it." With a shrug she sat back, waiting for any other revelations that may accompany his words.

Instead Cullen just glowered at her. "I appreciate your continued discretion." The continued part was stressed, and Jade nodded her understanding as he launched into admonishing himself. "Maker's breath, how can Cassandra not see that I am faltering?"

Jade raised her eyebrows. "Commander... what has been faltering?"

"I should be keeping up with daily needs, training..."

"No. All due respect... Commander, you are in charge of the Inquisition forces as a whole. Skyhold is the seat of power and your post, not your command. It isn't wise to try to command a military that encompasses all Thedas and handle the main soldiers at a single location as well. That's exactly why you have me."

Cullen paused. "That... is..." He took a deep breath before looking at her squarely. "You've been doing all that?"

"You put me in charge here. It is no anomaly Skyhold's captain signed off instead of you Commander."

Cullen considered this young woman and found his next words almost strained. "So you've been signing the Skyhold reports for how long?"

Jade shook her head. "You've been signing them. I've just been writing them."

"Oh." Cullen was shocked. Then his mind raced. Jadell had taken a huge chance, and showed initiative with no thought to pay-off. And apparently her analysis and writing was good enough to imitate his own. It was painfully familiar; he'd done the same as Meredith lost her mind. "Does Cassandra know?"

"She thinks you made the call."

"So they don't think I'm failing because you've been covering for me when I couldn't do it myself." Cullen sighed. "Maybe I should have let Cassandra put you in charge."

"I don't quite have the big picture, Commander. Best leave that to you." With that, Jadell stood and threw her best smile at Cullen. "There are people out there looking for me, Commander, if that is all?"

Huh. "Very well. But you've revealed your hand now, Captain. I will need you to step up a bit."

Jadell gulped. "I... yes sir."