Chapter Twenty-One

Oh Cullen… NSFW

I looked at Cullen, "Are you… what did they do?"

He gave me a wry look, "Are you okay? I can see bruises forming from where I hurt you…"

I snorted, "As you can see, they already did stuff to me."

"You've been here only a little over an hour according to the movement of the sun out that window. I've been here for… for two weeks now. Mother Mallol and I are the only two left of the original 23 that were in this cage. When they brought you in, I thought… I thought it was a trick – get me to let my guard down. They did terrible things to you – and some of them made me think…"

"What did they do?" I asked as I stretched. He looked me over with a mournful look.

"I… they summoned several types of demon – pride, despair, terror, desire… the fact that none of those things could do anything more than physical damage is what made me really think you weren't real – no one is immune to demons. At least… that's what I thought. The pride demon got the angriest – clawed you up when it couldn't do anything to you. Uldred – the mage who is behind all of this – kept commenting that you were actually a mage pretending to be a Seeker and insisted that you could be possessed because of it. Obviously you're not a mage. Anyway, when each demon failed to possess you, he got angrier and angrier… he branded you." My hand came up to the necklace I still wore – the only thing I still wore.

I looked to the spot he had pointed to – my left wrist bore a burn scar left by a metal brand. It was what Templars used to mark their wrist Armor… I held the sigil of a Templar on my left wrist.

I smiled, "Thank you for telling me. Now… what did they do to you?"

"I… I have a few broken fingers from their most recent bout of fun. They heal me after a few hours for some reason. My back was branded with the Templar Sigil. They make it pitch black in here at random times for varying lengths, so I can never tell just how long it has been. They… used varying blades to cut me. The brand is also covered in whip marks from a… a flail. They put me through extreme temperature changes, didn't let me sleep more than a few moments at a time, suffocated me, starved me, and… maker; don't make me say the rest."

I hugged him gently, "Do you want me to heal you, my love? It's not… magic, so…"

He closed his eyes and seemed to think about it before softly nodding, "Only because it isn't magic…"

I focused on his bones, flesh and blood. I almost threw up at how extreme the torture had been. I worked on slowly mending things so that he wouldn't be in pain. I wasn't able to get rid of the brand or scars at all – he would always be marked. When that was done, I did for him, what the elements could do for me – sustenance. I nursed him back to health.

He looked amazed when I opened my eyes. "What about you?"

I smiled softly and made my own healing fast. He nodded and pulled me into his embrace. Mother Mallol was out cold, so I went ahead and healed her too.

Just then, I heard a door slam open and Uldred came out of the Harrowing Chamber.

"Well, well… you two look distinctly better than when I was down here last. Tell me, how do you hide your magic and parade around as a seeker?"

I glanced at the demon watching the cage – she gave me a wink.

I said, "I don't – I really am a Seeker, Uldred. Why do you think I'm a mage?"

"Do not lie to me! No seeker can control the elements and there has never been record of them gaining prophecy. And you healed yourself and this Templar… how did you do it, if not by magic?"

I gave a bland look, "The elements. Skin and bone are made of minerals and blood is made of liquids. I can use the elements to mend things."

"And to destroy them, I suspect." He muttered.

I shrugged, "Anything is possible but I have no magic."

"You know what I want, I assume?"

I shook my head. He looked pissed, "They were supposed to tell you!"

"Well, my killing them may have gotten in the way, old chap."

He glared, "Join me – I'll even let you keep the pet." He motioned to Cullen. Cullen pulled me behind him, "Neither of us will be joining you Uldred. The only reason you aren't currently dead is because of that pet demon."

I nodded and held onto Cullen. Uldred smirked, "A pity then. I will give you two hours to reconsider. If the answer is the same, I will kill you both."

He walked back up the stairs. I leaned against Cullen – exhausted. It had been a good 30 minutes since I woke up but healing takes energy. I yawned, "I love you."

His hand smoothed down my hair, "I love you too. I just wish you didn't have to see this."

I shrugged, "Our room was untouched – other than where you were dragged out. The kids are all safe… I killed every blood mage I came across, so the only ones left are up those steps."

He relaxed, "That is good to know. I feared the Circle could not be saved – that the right of…"

"Greagoir never sent for the Right, actually. He was counting on me. I told Wynne we had 24 hours before he would enact the right, but he never sent for it. Cullen, I will always come for you. I'd have been here sooner if I didn't have a group of people with me. I knew I couldn't do this alone."

He chuckled softly and kissed my head. I smiled, "Can you braid hair?"

He laughed, "I have two sisters – it would be remiss of me if I couldn't braid hair."

I moved to sit in front of him. He began pulling apart the knots in my hair by hand. If we hadn't been in a tower near a room with an evil son of a bitch, I would have fallen asleep.

That's when we heard the others approaching. I sighed in relief, "Rescue team is approaching."

I heard Theron first "Calm down, Alistair. If she was dead, her body would have been in that room."

"Her clothes were left behind! What do you…?" that was when they came into the room and saw the three of us huddled in the makeshift prison.

I waved, "Hi… can I have my packs?"

Alistair took in the fact that a very naked man was doing my hair – and that I was naked too. He glowered, "Are you… alright?"

"We can… talk about that later. Just give me my pack and go kill that abomination… did you grab that litany that Owain talked about?"

"We did. But you will be explaining what happened when we come out." I rolled my eyes and grabbed the offered pack.

Kallian said, "If it helps, I can stay and keep an eye on them…?"

Elissa eyed the situation and lifted an eyebrow at me. I shook my head so she shrugged. She'd take me at my word that nothing happened – especially since Mallol was here.

Kallian spoke once they all went up the stairs, "What happened?"

I shrugged as I handed Cullen some clothes and pulled some out for myself, "Torture and talks, why?"

"No, like… what happened – you weren't in the hall with us…"

I chose black denim jeans and a lacy black top for myself. I added matching black thigh-high boots. All the fighting was over, so there was no need to gear up, "Oh – apparently, demonic entities have a very hard time doing jack shit to me. Desire was the closest and all she could do was telling people what I wanted – and of course, I tell people what I want up front, so she was obsolete."

Kallian snorted, "You would be immune to demons, Ms. Super Seeker."

Cullen chuckled and I looked over at him. I had given him leather armor because he looked as though he felt vulnerable – and he'd looked grateful that it wasn't cloth, "Believe me, I can't be more thankful for that – it seems to be the Tai Chi she taught me that helped me hold out so long. I admit that I never felt my mind slipping. Not due to Demons, at any rate."

I held his hand, "Cullen – you would have survived this without the Tai Chi balancing you. You were already strong."

He squeezed my hand, "Regardless, I will be more than glad to be out of this mess… and… Kallian, could you perhaps… give us a moment?"

She gave an amused look but nodded and wondered over down the steps to 'check the perimeter'.

"What is it, Cullen?" I asked. I was worried that this would be where he broke things off with me – citing that he or I were too broken for…

"Don't give me that look, love – I know how you think by now. I love you – and this… this isn't going to stop that. What I wanted to say was… I know it's still late Wintermarch, but… I would hope that… Will you marry me? Today or tomorrow – I just… I don't… this event has more than opened my eyes. I heard them talking, their plans for you and what… well; I've realized that… life is too short to wait."

I felt joy – but only for a moment before a vision overtook me. I bit my lip, "I… I can't."

"What did you see? What could possibly…?" he looked pained.

"After this, you'll receive a promotion and reassignment to Kirkwall – and of course, I actually was already planning to move there, so that's not… I saw you telling me… that you wished we'd never… gotten married. Oh, Cullen – the way you said it and the look on your face… I disgusted you. I don't…"

Tears ran down my face – I felt how heart-broken that had made me. My chest was tight as I began hyperventilating.

He made me look at him, "Hey – I don't know what future me was thinking, but I swear to talk things out with you. I swear I would never you leave you like that…"

"You can't… promise that… you don't know what… I don't know what I did to make you say that. What if it was terrible? Oh… what if I had… lost a baby?" horror was in my voice.

He looked upset, "That would not be your fault, first of all. A child… Maker, I want that – but back to the point, even if you did lose a child, we could try again at a later date. I can think of nothing that would make me stop loving you."

Alistairs' voice cut it, "That's good – because I was just telling Elissa that I doubted you'd really break things off after this."

I looked up and saw the others coming down. Irving was supported by Alim and Solona. Cullen stiffened but I said, "Irving – thank Gaia they got to you in time."

He looked me over, "How did you get caught in their trap?"

"Sloth demon was useless against me – and apparently so were all their other pets."

Cullen put a hand on my waist, "We'll continue this talk a bit later."

"Oh, please – don't stop on our account," Natia smirked.

I flushed, "Cullen, this is Natia Brosca. The other ones you've yet to meet are Duran Aeducan, second son of King Endrin Aeducan in Orzammar; Leliana Nightingale – a Lay Sister of the Lothering Chantry – is the lovely bard holding the bow; and Sten of the Beresaad is my second. He is of the Qun and I beat his ass into the ground to earn his loyalty."

Sten nodded, "She is a good fighter."

Cullen snorted, "She taught me quite a bit – that's why they had to ambush me in my sleep."

Sten looked him over, evaluating, "You know her form of fighting?"

"I know one of the four types she uses – I know the one that is 'slow' and used for meditation. It also has health benefits and bettered my Templar powers. Speaking of that, you were right, Val," he said as Alistair scooped the still out-cold Mother Mallol into his arms.

"About?" I asked.

"The withdrawal – there are… no symptoms even though I've been up here for at least two weeks without…"

Alistair looked floored, "That's one of the benefits? Makers' Breath – no wonder Lady Seeker Nicoline got into a debate with the Grand Enchanter! Templars could leave the order without going mad or dying."

This opened up questions from the others. Natia voiced it, "What damn drugs are…? Oh… the Lyrium. I sometimes forget that Templars take the stuff to give them their powers – and that when they come off the Lyrium…"

Duran gave an in-depth description following that – all dwarves knew about Lyrium and all noble dwarves knew much more that the Castles. I stumbled causing Cullen to lift me into his arms.

I squeaked, "Cullen! Put me down – you're weak; you've been starved and tortured!"

Sten moved in front of us and held his arms out with an impassive look, "I am uninjured – I will carry her."

Cullen looked reluctant but didn't dare argue with the Qunari. I pouted, "I can walk…"

"You weigh little – and this will help us get to the bottom of the stairs faster. Even the Arishok needs aid when injured."

Well, when he put it like that, how could I argue? "Fine, but I want it noted that I am allowing this under duress."

Alistair snorted, "Sure; now – what other benefits come from this Tai Chi?"

I snorted, "Lona – report to the Prince."

Cullen gave a startled look, "Prince?"

I gave a wicked grin and handed Cullen the naming papers. He looked them over with wide eyes.

"According to this, Alistair was King Cailans' Half-Brother? And you were named…?"

I flushed, having forgotten that part. "Er… right – forgot I'm the 'spare'…"

Alistair smirked at me, "Ha – you tried to embarrass me and got caught in the trap!"

I shrugged, "Still want to marry me, Rutherford?"

"Well, I can't say I'd enjoy being a prince, but you know I do."

I smiled softly at him as Duran said, "Wait – Lona, what were all the benefits?"

Solona began listing them all in order of what we'd found – the ones I knew, then mage, then Templar.

Sten looked impressed, "You say that it is your most useless fighting form?"

"Because it's the slowest and isn't usually put into combat – it's used for people who want daily exercise with a dose of self-defense if needed. My second art – Karate – is mostly quick hits and kicks. Judo is throws and grappling. But Krav Maga is the king of combat arts. It's used by the Guards in one country. Kicks, punches, eye gouging, groin kicks, grapples, throws, submission holds, tackles and so much more are included in it. Seriously, with Sten I had to mix all four combat tactics to win. I've only had to do that with people who knew one or more of my arts before. It can be said that the Qun is a worthy opponent. This is why I spar with Sten every day – I get stronger, he gets to learn some of the moves. Krav Maga takes years to learn in full, so with the time we have, Sten will never master it. Maybe karate or judo, but not…"

"How did you learn it?" Theron cut in.

"Oh – I learned it when I was in my previous life. All these art forms are from Earth, not this world. That's why I didn't know the mage or Templar benefits. In a world without magic, how could we know?"

Solona hissed a breath, "No Magic?"

"Well… somewhat. The magic there was more primal in nature. There was no Fade, Elves, Qunari or anything like that. Dwarves were just humans with a growth impediment. Witches used mostly potions and rocks if I recall correctly. Any spells or voodoo didn't normally work. Look, there's everyone!"

We were back on the first floor. I insisted Sten put me down now. He did.

We were greeted with cheers and clapping – people called my name. I shook my head, "This was a group effort – I was not the one to kill Uldred."

They didn't seem to care. Cullen looked amused at that. I rolled my eyes and headed for the big doors.

I pounded on the door, "I bring First Enchanter Irving as promised Greagoir!" I shouted.

It took a moment but the door slowly opened while there were armed people on the other side looking at us in suspicion and shock in equal measures.

Greagoir stepped forward while ordering his men to stand down, "Irving! Makers' Breath, I didn't expect to see you alive! Val, are you alright? Cullen, how are you?"

I rolled my eyes and Irving smiled at me before he spoke, "It's over Greagoir, Uldred lies dead in the harrowing Chamber."

Cullen looked like he wanted to chime in, but glanced at me before just… shaking his head.

Greagoir said, "Cullen, Valeria – I would like to speak with the two of you alone."

"Let's go to the Dojo – I want a shower."

The whole group followed – half for the curiosity, and half for the want of a shower.

When we got there, I said, "You all use that one. Greagoir, Cullen – you two can follow me. Oh don't give me that look, Greagoir; it's walled off so you won't see me naked."

He flushed, but followed Cullen and I into the bathroom. I yanked Cullen into the stall with me.

Greagoirs voice came past the door, "Valeria… what happened up there?"

Cullen and I stripped – and I could see in Cullens' face that now that we were safe, he was certainly more… receptive to seeing me naked.

I gave Cullen a sly smile while I turned on the hot water.

"It appears that I am immune to demons – they had to resort to bashing me in the back of the head to capture me. And Cullen seems to be more immune to demons that most Templars too."

"Maker…" Greagoir said.

Cullen helped me to soap up my hair while I decided that this was thrilling – he and I… so close while someone else could catch us…

I reached down and gripped him. He hissed a soft breath. I continued talking as I worked him, "Greagoir, Cullen will be receiving a promotion for this, yes?"

He seemed lost in thought, "Hmm? Oh, well yes – I doubt many Templars could have withstood this with their minds intact. I was thinking Knight-Captain… why?"

"Kirkwall needs a new Knight-Captain," I said. I almost lost my train of thought when Cullen pressed me quietly against the wall and kissed me. His hand trailed down to play with my most intimate area while the water poured over us.

I nipped at his lip and he growled softly.

"Kirkwall… Meredith does have a knack for running off Captains…" Greagoir responded.

I gasped as Cullen moved his hands to my thighs and lifted me against the wall.

"She is… devout; we can say that much at least…" I knew my voice wavered just a bit. With Greagoir in his own thoughts, he likely didn't notice. I bit down on Cullens' shoulder to keep from crying out as he lowered me onto his cock. His breath caught.

"Cullen, what do you think about Kirkwall?" Greagoir asked.

He growled in my ear before saying, "If that's where I'm needed – I am… not sure that I could… continue on here."

His pauses may have seemed like hesitation, but no – they were where I nipped at his neck or squeezed him with my inner walls. He lowered his voice and whispered, "You are going to get me killed…"

I gave a coy smirk before having to gasp when he slammed harder into me.

Greagoir heard my gasp, "Everything okay in there?"

"Yes, it's just a sore spot. I haven't mastered healing muscles," I called out quickly. Cullen looked distinctly smug that I was the one to almost get caught. I put my hands around his neck and tugged at his hair.

He fucked me faster. I gave a low moan – trying so hard to be quiet, but the situation was just so… erotic.

"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. I do need to know what exactly happened after you were… captured."

I felt my back arch as Cullen moved within me. The position caused the hair in his pubic region to rub against my clit – I was getting close fast.

I bit my lip, "C… Cullen withstood… a lot of… torture, Greagoir. These scars…" the way my voice wavered as I spoke… damn, I was going to get caught.

"I understand it may be distressing, but I need to know."

Maybe I wouldn't be caught… "They used… magic and… and other… tools…"

I was panting by now. Cullens' lip twitched up as he moved one hand away from my thighs to venture between us as he slowed down. Oh, he wouldn't… he did. His fingers moved to work me closer to orgasm as he continued to pound me against the wall.

Greagoirs' voice came through the door again, "Tools to… what?"

"Cut, stab, and… oh, they did much, Greagoir… Give me a moment…" I bit hard into Cullens' shoulder as I shuddered in orgasm. Cullen looked distinctly pleased with himself as he moved his hand away and sped up once more. Once the blissful high passed, I coughed and said, "They used several methods to try and break him…"

Cullen growled low in my ear, "Maker, Val… I'm so close…" my breath hitched. He continued, "I love the look on your face as you orgasm – knowing I put that look there… maker…"

Damn, I was close again just from his words. He'd never done dirty talk before and I found it highly arousing.

"Methods like what?" Greagoir asked.

"They tried Branding, temperature extremes… whipping, flails… sensory deprivation…" my voice faded out as I saw Cullens' face flicker – he was almost…

He bit into my shoulder, throwing me over the edge again and causing me to bite him again.

"Maker, that's… horrible. What did they do to you?"

Cullen and I were breathless as he put me down and we continued to clean up. Cullen said, "They let those demons mark her, Greagoir – clawing, attempting to freeze her body. Uldred was mad – he thought Valeria was a mage in disguise. They branded her arm with the Templar sigil and… well, I can only be glad she was out for most of it."

I scoffed, "Most? Love, I was out for all of it. That stupid mage who thought I would be easy to humiliate doesn't count. I killed his cohorts without lifting a finger. Uldred wanted me to join him, Greagoir – it's why he kept Cullen alive. He thought if he could break my lover, I would be at his beck and call."

Greagoir gave a cry of outrage as we shut off the water. Cullen retrieved a towel and began drying me.

I shuddered at the heat in his gaze.

Cullen said, "I was much harder to break than they had anticipated, however. And Val didn't give Uldred anything at all."

I began dressing in new clothes – a black dress that went down to my knees and was off-shoulder. I also had slippers instead of shoes – no underwear.

Cullen dressed in the clothes I handed him – a button up shirt and loose cotton pants with slippers. We came out of the shower.

Greagoir peaked inside, "So… how does this thing work?"

I waved my hand and the water turned back on. He looked amazed that it was hot water when he saw the steam.

"How… how does it do that?"

"I built a Water Heater behind this panel here in this room. It's tank-less so it's much harder to run out of hot water. Password to the Dojo is Sensei, by the way – since after this blight I'm moving to Kirkwall – it's where I'm needed."

"Is that why you recommended…?"

"No – actually, I'd have recommended Kirkwall regardless of my own involvement there. Because that's where Cullen is needed."

Cullen kissed my temple, "Are we done with this talk, Greagoir?"

He nodded so I said, "I need to have a private chat with Cullen real quick. Can you tell Leliana – the red-headed archer woman – that it's her turn to cook and show her to the Kitchens?"

Greagoir nodded and left. I looked at Cullen, "So…marriage?"

He smiled, "I could never regret marrying you. Even if something did happen that I didn't agree with, I would talk to you first – I swear."

I bit my lip, "Are you sure? What if…? I don't know… let's say I was part of some kind of… mage underground?" I made it seem like I was really fishing for a reason.

He snorted, "After this? I don't think it's likely, but… I can promise to talk with you – to see why you would do it or… something. I can't believe I would just… leave you."

I took a deep breath, "Then… you get to ask Alistair if it's okay that we get married. Since Cailan adopted me into the Theirin family, he's the 'man' of the family at the moment."

Cullen snorted, "Were the air-quotes really necessary?"

"Ask him what happens if he leads, Cullen – yes they were necessary."

"… Did you know? When you made that joke about him ruling a country when we met?"

I shrugged, "Sort of. I saw him wearing a crown and being called king – but I wasn't sure on the where, why or how of it. For all I knew, he was King of the Nugs."

Cullen sighed, "What happened to Becca?"

I flinched as tears welled up in my eyes, "Gaia… she was taken, Cullen. I shouldn't have brought her along!"

He held me, "She could have said no – she could have turned back after the escort and come back to the tower. It's not your fault."

"Lane is dead too. He was there… I talked to him, Cullen – the day before."

Cullen held me tightly, "None of this is your fault, Valeria – you couldn't prevent what you didn't see."

After a few minutes in his arms, we headed out. Cullen said, "Alistair!"

The prince turned – and so did the rest of the group. Alistair gave us a curious look, "What can I do for you Cullen?"

"Give us your blessing? Cousland tradition stated she needed to be 18 – that's not for another three weeks. But she's part of your family now, and she told me she would marry me now if you said yes."

Alistair turned to look at me full on. I was giving him an amused look. He snorted, "Why do you do this to me? You know what happens when I'm in charge!"

Cullen looked curious, "She mentioned that… what happens?"

"When I'm in charge people wind up dead, we're lost and the next thing I know, I'm in the middle of nowhere without any pants."

The rest of the group began laughing as Alim said, "Then why did you take point when we woke up and she was missing?"

"Well… I mean… I don't know."

Now I was curious, "Who woke everyone from the dreams?"

Everyone pointed at Alistair. I was stunned and looked at him. He flushed, "The demons had a harder time with me. They were trying to use Goldanna and the little amount of Tai Chi you taught me…"

Cullen snorted, "I thought the Divine said no Templars or Mages?"

"Alistair is a Grey Warden and a Prince – not a Templar. He never took those vows."

Cullen grinned, "That was the logic I used when you said you planned to teach others."

I nodded, "Hence why Alistair now knows a bit – up to yellow belt."

"So… why were…?" Alim started but Cullen motioned to Alistair, "Your answer?"

"Oh… Well… do you want to marry him now?" Alistair asked me. I chuckled, "Time makes no difference to me, Brother – you know that."

Alistair rubbed at his face and looked at Elissa, "I… I don't know…"

She shrugged, "I say not yet – she's still 17 and she was fostered to the Couslands first."

Alistair looked torn before saying, "What about your birth family – what was their rule on the matter?"

"… I was in one of the 12 ruling noble families – we were engaged from birth and married off on the younger ones' 16th birthdays to the one who was chosen for us. I was set to marry a man from the same family that staged the coup, actually. He was 33 when I was 15 – that was the only time I ever met him."

Horror filed several faces. "He was more than twice your age!" Solona shouted.

I shrugged, "Age did not matter in that – his family signed the betrothal when I was born and he was still a 'child'. His younger sister would have taken the throne after my… dethronement. Like I said, they are Matrilineal to the point of being matriarchal. Women were dominant there."

"So… the day you met me… you were supposed to be getting married to a man double your age?" Alim asked.

I chuckled, "Day after, but yes. Gaia but the man was just… he was a letcher."

Natia said, "What do you mean?"

"I wasn't the only woman he looked at while we met – the servents, the other nobles, and even my own mother were looked at. I will grant that my mother was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but still… the man was handsome enough I suppose, but I'm more than glad to be away from that."

Cullen, fearing Alistair was going to say no, said, "I love Valeria… and I hope that you say yes…"

Alistair sighed, "Let me think on it – The Vane family would have already seen her married, the Couslands would want her to wait until 18 and the Theirins had Cailan married at 20 – so I just… why is this choice being brought to me?"

I grinned, "Fergus isn't here and doesn't like me anyway and Cailan isn't here either. You are the head of the Theirin Family at the moment, which is the most recent family I was adopted into. Since you are the family head, the choice falls to you – as is tradition in my homelands. If we were there, the family head would be a woman – at this point, me – but we are not there."

He groaned, "But you love Cullen – you've told me as much – so why not make the choice yourself?"

"Because I keep getting conflicting answers on when someone is considered an adult here. In Highever, the age is 18 – in Denerim the age is 20; here in the circle, the age is 16… my ass is lost."

"In the Qun, one is considered an adult the moment they finish their training – no matter the age."

"Thank you Sten, but I finished my training at 10 – hence the whole Vigil thing so early. Not to mention, I've already lived more than 30 years in my first life and I'm almost 18 in this one… that's more than 48 years combined. Not to mention, the way things worked out… I remember this life as a faint memory and my previous life as the dominant one – meaning it feels like I've lived in this life only since Herring 9:27 Dragon. So no, I do not feel qualified to make this choice because I'm feeling much older than I am at the moment. Even in the Qun, the Triad makes such choices because the Antaam are not qualified, yes?"

Sten looked surprised but slowly nodded, "You are correct. You have proven yourself worthy of following – and as I am a Sten, this means you are equal to the Karasten at least. It is strange that a Bas has gained this worthiness but not unheard of. You also present like an Arigena – a scientific leader – with your inventions. This is why I have no trouble with you being female."

Cullen gave me a look so I explained, "In the Qun, women do not fight – they are priests, shopkeepers or artisans… or teachers. Only men fight. But if a person who was born as a female shows amazing ability as a fighter, she is called Aqun-Athlok – born one gender living as another – and called a man. Sten sees all the women in our group as men – except me."

Sten nodded solemnly and Cullen smiled, "You would be the one to challenge norms."

Alistair said, "Alright – let's sleep on it and I'll give you an answer in the morning…"

"Right – because we will be here for two days; tonight and tomorrow night. We need to rest, heal and get our supplies before leaving…"

Elissa nodded, "That sounds reasonable…"

I gave a sadistic grin, "Sten… let's spar before dinner."