Dragons and Thrones: Rising Tensions – Healing the Breach

Chapter 48 of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.


Cullen

Cullen sat at the table he and Varric had taken at the inn, waiting with baited breath. He wasn't what Varric had to tell him, but he knew it wouldn't be something good.

'Whatever it is, he's been travelling the North, telling people here...' He thought.

Varric sat opposite him looking worried, very different from his usual cheery self.

Unable to take the tension any longer, Cullen spoke up. "Varric, what is going on, what have you been saying?"

"I don't know, quite how to put this, Curly but..." Varric replied. "Have there been any, um, strange groups around here?"

Cullen narrowed his eyes. "Well, yes, a Tevinter supremacist group called the Venatori and, rogue Templars, using Red Lyrium..."

Varric nodded. "Calling themselves Red Templars, I know them well, I also know who their leader, this 'Elder One' is."

That caught Cullen's attention; they knew the Venatori and Red Templars were connected, both serving the same master, this Elder One. But they had never been able to identify him.

"Who, who is it?" He gasped. "How can you be so sure?"

Varric shrugged. "He pretty much admitted it to Hawke when they met...It's an old; acquaintance so to speak. You've heard Hawke speak of him before. Corypheus."

Cullen's blood ran cold hearing that; unlike many, he believed Hawke when the Champion had first spoken of his encounter with Corypheus. To hear that he was back and behind what was going on, suddenly a lot of things made sense.

With a heavy sigh, Cullen knew he had only one option, he had to reveal the truth.

"It seems they are doing more than attacking us and causing trouble...They're trying to acquire positions amongst the Lords in these lands, to weaken or corrupt them." He revealed. "Right now, if what we've heard can be believed, they are trying to do just that in the Iron Islands...A man named Macrinus."

Varric nodded, sighing. "That's a name I read in Corypheus' files, he's a Venatori agent alright. Hmmm, I can probably deal with this, stop them from falling victim to him. But it might make things a little more complex afterwards."

"Hmm, there might be a way we can make things easier." Cullen stated. "The Lord of the Iron Islands, his son is a ward in Winterfell. Hopefully they can offer help."

Varric sighed. "If they accept help...I've only been here a short time and what I've heard about the Iron Islands, I'm not so sure. But I do have a way to approach them...However, I do still need your help."

"With what?"

Varric quickly explained about his efforts to spread news, but he was hampered, his contacts couldn't reach everyone, but there were other Templars around Westeros, many of them neutral in the war.

"You want me to reach out to them, warn them and have them spread word?" Cullen summarized.

Varric nodded. "Exactly, so…?"

Cullen sighed. "I guess so; I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

Varric accepted that and; with their plans set, they left the inn and soon parted ways, Varric seeking a way to the Iron Islands and Cullen preparing to make his way back to Winterfell.

As he rode back to Winterfell; Cullen pondered deeply everything that Varric had revealed; it wasn't going to be easy. But he could see that he needed to spread the word too.

'The more people that know the better, the more people that are aware of the Venatori and Red Templars and, and Corypheus, the less of those who will fall victim to him...Even if they don't initially believe us.' He noted. 'Still; it seems things are coming to a head, so much is going on, the question now becomes, what do we do next, especially since this land is still at war, even with Corypheus and his forces threatening to take over everything.'

He knew however, there was nothing he could do about that; except pray that the war ended soon, before it was too late. They needed a united force to stand against what was sure to come.


Finally, he arrived at Winterfell, riding into the courtyard he found the castle already full of activity. Looking around at everything happening he paused before dismounting, he could see a likely conflict about to happen. He had spotted Lady Arya, at the archery range, aiming and firing a shot, right on target.

Present with her was her betrothed, Ser Gendry, both were smiling. However, watching this happen, glaring and approaching, was Hostor Frey. Cullen hurried to intervene, knowing all too well what Hostor was likely to do.

Sure enough, once close enough he spoke sharply.

"What is this, how dare you!?" He snapped. "Lady Arya, that isn't..."

Arya turned to face him, still aiming with her bow. "Are you volunteering to be the target."

If anything he looked even more outraged. "You are a Lady and have no right to..."

"That will do, Lord Hostor." Cullen spoke up, interceding. "You have been warned about this before. You have no right to question Lady Arya's activities or to try and order her around."

Hostor rounded on him, Arya smirked as did Gendry who, after sharing a look with Arya shrugged. Clearly he had intended to make just that point, but Cullen had got their faster.

"This is none of your business, I will not be embarrassed by..." He snapped.

Cullen cut across him at once. "You have been told that too, Lady Arya is not your betrothed. Her betrothed is standing right there and I don't hear him complaining."

Hostor snarled but before he could say anything he spotted Robb and Theon approaching and wisely beat a retreat, as Arya and Gendry both burst out laughing. Smiling lightly, Cullen nodded to them, spoke briefly to Robb and Theon and then headed inside; he needed to talk with Lord Stark quickly.


Seated in Lord Stark's solar Cullen knew he had to explain this quickly.

"This may be hard to believe Lord Stark; but what I'm about to say is true." He said. "It will answer a lot of questions...although it might raise more. Also, word of this needs to be spread, I can contact other Templars for that, but first...I better tell you about what I've discovered."

Lord Stark nodded and Cullen began to explain about his meeting with Varric and what Varric had told him about Corypheus, he also began to explain about the issues involving the Iron Islands.

"I was wondering, is there anything we can do to help, I know that Theon Greyjoy would..."

Lord Stark nodded. "I understand what you are saying Cullen and Theon would want us to help...But I'm not sure how much we can do. For now, let's have faith in your friend Varric and in the meantime, focus on this, Corypheus and what he's doing. But we will keep an eye on things in the Iron Islands."

Cullen nodded, for now it was the best they could hope for.


End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.