"Ah Morrigan!" Cullen stepped back in surprise.
Morrigan spun around and looked at him wickedly with her yellow eyes. "We were expecting you." She smiled, tilting her head towards Leliana and Josephine. "As I was saying…" She looked over back to them, her long black hair grazed her shoulders gently. "The Eluvians are what Corypheus is looking for."
Cullen looked up in confusion as Leliana's mouth parted in a smile. "What makes you so sure of this Morrigan?"
Morrigan looked up at the table seriously. "Perhaps it is best if we wait for the Inquisitor to speak of such things. She is...the one involved most of all."
"She was heading to the Western Approach with Dorian when I spoke to her." Cullen looked around the table.
"I will...go get her then." Josephine muttered, excusing herself from the room. She walked in a quick pace.
"What are the Eluvians exactly, Morrigan?" Cullen looked up in curiosity.
Morrigan's smile faded. "The most basic way for me to explain it, for you to understand at least, is that is a magical mirror. The Elves of Arlathan used it as a means for communication and transportation."
"Can't any mirror be enchanted to do that?" Cullen looked up, raking his thoughts.
"No." She sighed heavily, somewhat annoyed. "This magic is different from the Circle's or Tevinter's. We are talking of old elven magic."
"Perhaps Solas-" Cullen interjected.
"Their use was lost after the fall of Arlathan." Morrigan clarified. "The Tevinters attempted to unlock the powers of the eluvians. However, all they succeeded at was long-distance communication. 'Tis a portal between worlds, Commander."
"I see…" Cullen looked at Leliana, whose expression was unreadable.
"What's wrong?" The Inquisitor walked through the doors quickly, slightly panting, Josephine followed close behind.
Leliana ignored her presence, interested in Morrigan's previous statement. "With an Eluvian, Corypheus could walk into the Fade in the flesh?"
"Indeed," Morrigan looked up at Leliana impressed, "the Inquisitor can attest that these artifacts still work if one knows how to use them."
"What happens when Corypheus enters the Fade?" Cullen looked up at her intrigued, with a hint of fear etched on his features.
Morrigan half-smiled in response. "Why he will gain his heart's desire and gain the power of a God." Cullen gulped audibly. "Or-and this is more likely…" she continued "...the lunatic will unleash forces that tear the world apart."
The Inquisitor gulped this time, her left hand jerked in response, she stared at it, examining it closely. "In Redcliffe, I saw the future Corypheus built. We can't let that happen."
"'Twas always so, was it not? The madman would bury us all." Morrigan's eyes shot to Evelyn's scarred hand and proceeded to give Cullen an unreadable stare.
"Pardon me…" Josephine chirped, taking her eyes off of her notes, "does this mean everything's lost unless we get to the Eluvian before him?"
"Corypheus has a head start, no matter how quickly our army moves." Cullen shook his head, staring at the War Table.
"We should gather our allies before we march then." Josephine looked up defiantly at the group.
Leliana peered over at her and leaned in slightly. "Can we wait for them? We should send our spies ahead to the Arbor Wilds."
Cullen looked up in confusion. "Without support from our soldiers? You'd lose half of them!"
"Then what should we do then?" Josephine looked up at the Inquisitor for instruction.
"How about we work together for one?" The Inquisitor said sarcastically, yet seriousness shone through her face. "Josephine, have our allies send scouts to meet us in the Wilds. Leliana, your fastest agents will join them. Together, we'll have enough spies to slow down Corypheus' army until Cullen's soldiers arrive." She nodded confidently at the group. They looked at her in awe.
"Such confidence, but the Arbor Wilds are not so kind to visitors. Old elven magic lingers in those woods." Morrigan said eyeing the Inquisitor seriously.
"We'd be remiss not to take advantage of your knowledge, Lady Morrigan. Please, lend us your expertise." Josephine smiled at her respectfully.
Morrigan's demeanor changed, a smirk planted on her violet lips, almost in a snarl, "'Tis why I came here. Although it is good to see its value recognized."
"Any further instructions Eve-Inquisitor?" Cullen cleared his throat while their lingering eyes bore into him. Cullen's cheeks flushed pink as his eyes darted away from the Inquisitor.
Evelyn took in a deep breath and looked at Cullen with a small smile, then addressed the table in a calm tone. "The Inquisition began as a handful of soldiers. Thanks to you, we're now a force that'll topple a self-proclaimed God. I could ask for no finer council. For no better guidance."
Cullen smiled in retort. "I speak for all of us when I answer: We could ask for no finer cause." Josephine and Leliana nodded in unison. They smiled and tilted their head in her direction. Cullen looked back at the other advisors more seriously. "To work?" He asked, pointing at the table.
Morrigan politely left the room, waving her hand in goodbye, not turning her back. The Inquisitor stayed behind, arms crossed staring at the War Table. Leliana began whispering inaudibly to Josephine who bit her lip nervously and nodded after a small moment.
"I will go have a word with our allies, the letters must go out immediately." Josephine excused herself, her wrist quickly moving in circular motions leaving the Inquisitor to stare in a trance-like state. The door closed shut while the noise snapped her back into reality.
Cullen looked over a report that was laying on the edge of the map. "I will gather the men for the march." He lay the report down and headed to the double doors, his hand briefly paused onto the wine colored doors. He gazed deeply into the Inquisitor's eyes. She nodded reassuringly, with a weak smile.
"Come back in one hour." Leliana reminded him. "We don't have much time to lose, we need to reach Samson and Corypheus." Cullen looked ahead and took a deep breath and pushed himself out without another word.
Cullen's pace quickened to the barracks. He noticed the soldiers vehemently thrashing each other, their army strong and vast. "Ser Rylen?" Cullen quickly stepped down the cobble and stood near the man shouting orders.
"Commander?" Rylen looked over, an expression of worry on his face.
"Are the men prepared?" Cullen looked at him seriously.
Rylen looked over at the men and nodded confidently. "More than they'll ever be, Commander."
"Gather the men, their supplies. We're marching on the Arbor Wilds." Cullen said, his tone unwavering.
"Arbor Wilds, Ser?" He spun his whole body, focusing on Cullen. "Very well. Would you like to brief them?" Rylen asked, a smile planted on his lips.
Cullen shot him a look, his eyebrow raised. He stepped forward, and raised his hands to his mouth, echoing his voice. "Soldiers! At once!" The soldiers automatically dropped their weapons to their side, their grip slackened as their attention diverted to Cullen. They quickly sped in formation, creating a straight line, silence hovered. Cullen slowly paced back and forth the extended line, his thoughts ensnared his words. "Soldiers, the time has come." He looked up at them, hands behind his back, pacing as he spoke. "This is the fight we have all been training for, fighting for. This will be the moment you prove yourselves to the Inquisition, to your friends, to your family you all long to see. Do not let it be in vain." His voice was strong, it carried through all their ears. They stood frozen, listening to him intently. "Countless Darkspawn and evil encumbers in the Arbor Wilds; let your instinct remain sharp, your arms remain vigilant and your mind...sound."
The soldiers riled in exuberant energy, clanging their swords to their shield in excitement. "AYE!" They yelled back in unison. Their roars, shook the floor violently.
Cullen unsheathed his sword and held it up to the scarred sky, glistening in green. "We will fight, and we will be victorious!" He yelled, examining his sword. His thoughts distracted by Evelyn's smile encircling his mind. The deafening roars of the soldiers fell on his ears silently, his heart dropped thinking of her scar, that she would be leading the fight. Cullen sheathed his sword back and mustered a smile. "I will be on the front ranks, we will lead the Inquisitor...to...to Corypheus." His voice wavered as the soldiers went quiet.
"We will win! For the Inquisition! For the Inquisitor! For all of us!" A soldier raised his hand to his chest, clanging on his armor respectfully. The others followed suit and bowed respectfully in Cullen's direction.
"Gather the supplies, we will begin the march on the Spymaster's and Commander's orders." Rylen said loudly. They all nodded and scrambled to gather their things.
Cullen felt his throat choke up, holding back the emotions he felt, knowing that she would be facing him head on, the best he could do was cut a path for her. He turned around and headed back to the War Table, feeling a small reassuring pat from Rylen on his shoulder. "For the Inquisitor." His voice cracked. Cullen smiled weakly and walked lazily to the War Table. Leliana's agents scrambled swiftly past the Orlesian nobles who were seated carefully at the dining chairs.
The Inquisitor paced quickly next to him, matching his footsteps. "Are you alright, Cullen?" She spoke quickly, with purpose.
He looked up at her, his smile faded into slight worry. "Are you?" He eyed her. Her blue eyes squinted as a smile appeared slowly on her lips.
"I'm fine." She said confidently, careful not to worry him. "We're ready, now is the perfect time to make our move." She said laying her small hand on his armor. "I do still wish we had another small moment alone, however." She giggled while blushing wildly.
Cullen laughed and looked at her lovingly. "I guess we will have to wait.." His eyes sparkled into hers as they reached the wine colored doors.
"One more before the War?" She laughed as they paused in front of the doors. Cullen slightly hunched over and she was on her tiptoes. She gave him a small peck on the lips and that wasn't quite sufficient for Cullen. He took one quick look at his surrounding and grabbed her head lovingly and pulled it closer to him, deepening the kiss. Cullen felt a rush of hot energy hit his nerves, enlightening him. The Inquisitor grabbed his strong jaw with her delicate hands and breathlessly continued the kiss. "I love you, Cullen." She whispered in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Cullen lifted her up with one hand into a tight hug. "Th-thank you." Cullen responded awkwardly.
"Thank you?" The inquisitor giggled, balling her fist and hitting his chestplate.
"I'm thanking you today, because of you, I am now me." He smiled, and moved her bangs away from her eyes. The Inquisitor dropped down gracefully to the floor and inhaled sharply. "I love you is what I meant to say." Cullen laughed, patting her head as he pushed the doors open.
"Inquisitor, the preparations are ready. I have sent my agents to scout ahead, there are many Darkspawn…" Leliana said through faded breath, placing her crow pieces on the War Table.
Josephine looked up at the both of them and smiled. "Our allies have been warned and our prepared for the fight. The Orlesians and Empress Celene are waiting with warm smiles and heavy hands, the Grey Wardens will meet us there as well."
"Empress Celene? She will be at the Arbor Wilds?" The Inquisitor said, now surprised.
"Why of course, Inquisitor. Empress Celene wouldn't miss a fight, especially one of this caliber." Leliana whispered through her smile. Josephine placed her gold pieces on the War Table to Leliana.
"Rylen has gathered the men, I will march with them, leading the way. I will cut a path for the Inquisitor and her companions." Cullen said confidently. "Your men will give us time to get there." He said through a smile, now placing his pieces onto the table in formation.
"Wait! You're leading the men?" The Inquisitor, double-taked. She stared at Cullen seriously.
"Am I not the Commander of the Inquisition?" Cullen raised his eyebrow in her direction, Evelyn's face fell. "The soldiers have already begun their march, I will leave shortly." Cullen bowed apologetically placing his hand instinctively on his sheathed sword.
"What loyalty you command, Inquisitor." Morrigan slithered. "I will also join you and your companions to your journey. Without my expertise," she looked at Josephine with a smile, "you will be at a disadvantage. Choose your companions carefully, Inquisitor. This will be no easy task."
The Inquisitor looked up at the table, giving Cullen a solemn look. "Right." She nodded as if prepping herself. "Be safe…" She placed her hands, gripping the table's wooden edges, "everyone." She looked around, eyeing them as if soaking in the moment.
"Of course." Leliana said, her rosy lips parted in a smile.
Cullen nodded, shifting his pieces slightly on the map. He looked up and smiled warmly at her. "For the Inquisition."
"For all of us." Josephine muttered with a wry smile, her eyes focusing on Cullen's movements.
"Until later." Cullen straightened himself and his armor. He bowed courteously at the women in the room.
"Commander." Leliana tilted her head in acknowledgment.
Cullen walked up to the Inquisitor who was stationed near the door. She stood in the middle, as if blocking it. Not wanting him to leave. He smiled, his eyes darting from her eyes to her lips. "Be safe." She repeated in a whisper.
"For you...always." He whispered for her ears only. She gripped his hand tightly, not caring that the whole room could see. Cullen cleared his throat, avoiding the other's gazes. He returned her tight grip and held it to his parted lips and planted a sweet kiss on her fragile hand. He lowered it gently and pushed the doors open wildly and headed to the front gates.
"OY! Commander! Your lucky shield!" The blacksmith bellowed from the top of the stairs, waving around a piece of wood with the templar logo.
"Ah! Thank you!" Cullen said appreciatively, catching the sturdy wood in his hands.
"Go give 'em hell!" The blacksmith's ginger moustache curled into a smile, raising his fist in the air in victory.
Cullen waved him goodbye. He noticed the barracks and courtyard were empty. The soldiers had all departed. A horse was waiting for him at the front gates, a sturdy looking black horse. "Apologies, Commander. No Elaina today." The old horsemaster said apologetically, meeting him at the entrance. "She's far too precious to fight."
Cullen smiled and brushed the horse's shadowed mane. "Of course, Dennet. Keep her safe."
"Won't be too long now." Dennet smiled weakly under his white beard. "'Til I see them again." He clarified.
"Of course. I appreciate your work for the Inquisition, Horsemaster. Your sacrifice won't come unanswered." Cullen said genuinely.
The Horesemaster's eyes welled into tears. "I-uh- you've been nothing but gracious, Commander. May the maker watch over you." He bowed out of his way, rubbing the tears trickling down his face.
Cullen quickly hopped onto the black horse, it neighed appreciatively. Cullen slowly ushered it around the lush green grass one more time. Soaking in the cold air and beautiful architecture. He took one last look at the stairs hoping she'd be there so he could give her one last look. But the townspeople were scarce and her burdens heavy. They slowly galloped through the gates. The guardsmen bowing in his presence muttering their gratitude. "Commander!" They'd say confidently, hand over heart. He took a lingering look at the mountain in the distance. Where everything had begun. He took a sharp breath and headed to war.