Chapter Twenty-Eight

Work to Be Done

After our morning… activities, Cullen and I went down to have breakfast. I was wearing one of Cullens' shirts today – just because I felt like it, much to the mans' embarrassment and enjoyment. Apparently it really was a primal enjoyment for men to see their woman wearing something that marked them as his.

Elissa, Alistair, Wynne, Sten and the Circle leaders were already there. I saw the flush on Elissas' cheeks each time she glanced at Alistair and I just… knew.

I smirked, "Looks like we weren't the only ones' having fun, Cullen. Alistair, I do hope you intend to make an honest woman of her."

Both went bright red and Elissa cried out, "No way did you have a vision!"

I gave a wicked chuckle – making me feel like an evil witch, "I didn't need one. You two can't look at each other without blushing, Alistair seems more relaxed than I've ever seen him and I know I heard something last night…"

Alistair groaned, "I… I'm sorry – we…"

"Don't be – you just chose the wrong room. Room 7 on the upper floor is soundproofed – go for that one tonight. Besides – I have no shame."

Greagoir groaned, "Well, thank you for keeping it quiet last night – this is the first time I didn't know you two were…"

"Wasn't last night – it was this morning, Greg."

"Don't call me that – you know I hate it!" he pouted. I looked at Wynne who chuckled, "I suppose now I can have that talk?"

"Have it with Alistair – I already spoke to Elissa. Cullen and I talked about it this morning too."

Cullen went lightly red, "Ah…"

I covered his mouth, "It's so much more interesting when he's caught off guard – let a girl enjoy herself, love."

He nodded in amusement. Elissa and Alistair looked lost, but I knew from their faces that Greagoir and Irving knew. Sten spoke, "I have seen you drink Womens' Tea, Kadan – why bother with procreation when you are blocking the result?" speaking of… I began brewing some in a metal pot using my elemental power while materializing two delicate cups.

I chuckled, "Stress reduction, bonding, sleep aid, distraction or any number of things. Besides, practice makes perfect!"

Alistair choked on his bread, "Makers' Breath – why are we talking about this?"

My eyes twinkled, "How many times have I spoken with Sten about 'inappropriate' topics, Alistair? You know by now that there is no Taboo topic. Sten looks at me like a close friend – we discuss everything from where to dig the latrine to how to properly kill a dragon. This is the… second time, I think, that I've told him sexual benefits though."

"I still do not see the reason for procreation without the desired result. The Tamassrans who service us do not drink the Womens' Tea unless they have a health issue to state they cannot carry offspring. Usually, they are then left alone anyway. There is little point to sex otherwise."

"It's a biological need for most people. I'm sure the Aqun-Athlok warriors drink the Tea too, Sten."

He opened his mouth before snapping it shut and pondering, "You have a point. The Aqun-Athlok cannot carry children as they are men… but they do still seek to be serviced – occasionally with other men… and since they are men, they should not be bearing children."

I gave a firm nod, "I am in a situation where I must act as Aqun-Athlok – constant fighting and bloodshed could endanger my life if I were to have a child. But everyone has needs. I only get those needs met when I'm with Cullen. Therefore, I drink the Tea."

Alistair was bright red as he munched his bread. I slid the tea pot across to Elissa who didn't say a word; just served herself a cup and began drinking the bitter tea.

I knew that Alistair was unaware what Womens' Tea was. Poor sod was too shy to ask, too. Sten nodded, "This makes sense; I will accept the answer."

I chuckled and finished my cup of tea before brewing Green Tea in a separate pot. I loved tea – I preferred Green, but could certainly see why Uncle Iroh liked Jasmine.

Cullen actually had a cup of the Tea with me.

When we finished breakfast, they all followed me down to the Dojo – I could see people following us in curiosity too.

I made everyone stay outside while I updated the Dojo to a Shower area with a sauna in each gendered room. I also had a large hot tub in each for relaxing days. I pretty much turned the two rooms into one big spa; after which, I let my people in and showed them around.

It showed just how big the Dojo had been that I could add all the stuff I did. It had been 5 unused classrooms on the lower level of the first floor, after all. Most classes were held on the platform level these days.

"So this is called a 'Hot Tub'. Turn this dial here and… yup, those are bubbles. Ooooh that feels nice."

I had a swimsuit on and was relaxing in the water. "It gets really warm. When you're done in this one, move to the cold bath for a few minutes to cleanse your pores – it's a heath thing. Showers are all hot water enabled. This is called a sauna – you wear only a towel in here."

I made everyone strip to either their smalls or nothing as we all entered.

"I'm going to show you how to work it. The steam and high heat make the bathers perspire – it can be very relaxing, therapeutic, and good for you. A steam sauna can take 30 minutes to heat up when first started. Some users prefer taking a warm shower beforehand to speed up perspiration in the sauna – a good idea but not necessary. When in the sauna users often sit on a towel for hygiene – or just clean it before every use – and put a towel over the head if the face feels too hot but the body feels comfortable. These coals are the source of heat more often than not." I explained how to work it.

We were all covered in sweat before Alistair – red-faced from embarrassment more than heat – asked, "What is the uh… what is the point of a Sauna?"

"It lowers the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and lowers blood pressure. Don't do this too long or too often though – there are risks; Heat stroke, dehydration, and such. The rocks in the hot water there can be used for Hot Rock massages though. You place them in specific places – like on that chart there – that can loosen the muscles, reduce anxiety and stress, promote sleep, decrease cancer symptoms, boost immunity to diseases and reduce tension."

Greagoir looked impressed, "What else have you equipped here?"

I moved us all out of the Sauna/Rock Therapy room and moved us down the hall to another room.

"This room houses a Mud Bath. I have the list of needed minerals and such already written out, so don't go draining or replacing it with regular mud. It may be called a mud bath but volcanic ash is the main component." After explaining the purpose of Mud Baths, we moved to the next room.

"This is what I call the Tranquility room – because it's where you will have the tranquil working when more soap, scrubs and such are needed. There are instructions on how to make specific soaps – scent mixes for hair products, body washes, exfoliating scrubs and even shaving creams that are gentle on skin. Over there is a list of massage techniques that you can have people learn. That corner has recipes for aroma therapy oils and massage oils. This will be the most relaxed circle in Thedas. You may even have nobles coming to enjoy a visit for such things. Feel free to charge for services, of course – you have to be able to replace materials and pay for labor. Or you can turn them all away and I'll set someone up with a spa in Denerim at a later date. This last room by the front door is the 'locker' room – people put their normal clothes in a cabinet, take the sandals and clean towel that are within and head over to this area to pick out soap, body wash and whatever they may need for their time in here."

Irving spoke up, "Why do all this?"

I shrugged, "Because people in this tower have been through one hell of an ordeal – they need something good to focus on. A Spa will cleanse away the bad that has happened here and help usher in a new wave of good. I plan to do something similar in Kirkwalls' Gallows if Meredith says that it's okay."

Greagoir snorted, "She might – but it would only be available to the Templars – no Mages, no Nobles and certainly no commoners. She's… quite strict."

I nodded, "I thought so – I may just open a spa myself and run it as a way to make an income. I'm a certified massage expert too."

Cullen chuckled, "That explains a lot…"

I winked – I loved to pamper my husband, "When I open my spa, you'll get free treatments every time you come in. You'd be joint owner after all."

"And if people don't know we're married?"

"You invested half the capital," I shrugged.

Elissa coughed, "It wouldn't be wrong – you two are married, so your money is also his money."

Alistair laughed, "If I invest, do I get free treatment too?"

"Yeah – you and Elissa would be considered V.I.P customers regardless of investment but investing at least a quarter of the capital for start-up would get you free treatments whenever you were in town – which wouldn't be often seeing as you'd be the King and Queen of Ferelden, but hey, it'd be worth the potential week long trip to come visit me."

Elissa snorted, "Is that why you're doing it? To ensure your family comes to visit?"

"No – I'm doing it so that I have a legitimate reason to be in Kirkwall without people asking me what the fuck I'm doing. I happen to know two dwarves that would invest if I need. Bartrand Tethras is a son-of-a-nug but he knows which buissness are worthwhile. I already know how to do the proposal to make it seem like the perfect and most unique opportunity. Anyway, the Spa is taken care of – now you just need to staff it. I already started you off with soaps, scrubs, oils and such until you can get the tranquil started. You could, in theory, bring in normal people or more tranquil from other Circles to staff it – and if you do allow nobles and such to pay for a day trip, this could also be the richest Circle."

"If that did happen, you'd be getting part of the proceeds as the creator of all this and the inventor of the Sauna, hot tub, mud bath, oils and soaps. I will contact the Divine on what she thinks we should do." Greagoir pointed out.

"Give it a bit – wait until the blight is over and then contact and find out if she wants this to be an open thing or not."

"Good point," Irving said. I chuckled, "Besides – giving yourselves time to see how it works for you is a better idea. I wouldn't advertise ir anything until then. When Alistair and Elissa take the throne, they'll likely come here often just for this… oh, Gaias' Roots!"

Alistair jumped and asked, "What?"

"You're going to want me to install showers in the damn palace, aren't you?"

"… Well, I'm sure the palace can afford to pay you for it?" he muttered in embarrassment. I groaned, "Fine – but only the Royal Family Wing and one guest room that you only allow to be used by the Divine, the Hands of the Divine or visiting Royalty – Prince, King, Queen, First Warden – that kind of thing."

Elissa sniggered, "Why the First Warden?"

"Everyone knows he's the real ruler of the Anderfels, Lis…" I sighed dramatically. Greagoir chuckled, "We should have everything ready to go by dawn tomorrow."

"What I don't understand is that you knew this would be coming, why wait to get things ready?" Elissa pointed out.

I cleared my throat, "For my sake, only a select few know about my visions. Cullen, Greagoir and Irving are the only ones in the tower. You all know because I trust you all with my life. If they started getting things ready beforehand, people would wonder why or panic that something was wrong. The Divine and Seekers know about my abilities – it was why they were so eager to mark me. Mostly, only the most senior Seekers know – the Lady Seeker, Cassandra and a few others."

Alistair nodded, "That's smart – wouldn't want people kidnapping you to take advantage or something."

Greagoir nodded, "Valeria always did say you were smarter than you appeared, Alistair."

He flushed at that. We left the spa. Once we were out, I turned to the door and removed the enchantment for passwords. I saw people looking at us in curiosity. I had been in there for 6 hours rearranging, stocking and getting things ready. Then we were all in there for 2 additional hours and came out looking relaxed and clean and happy.

… Had it really been so long? I missed lunch – again. Seeing that everyone was already gathered, Greagoir looked to me and whispered, "Do you wish to tell them?"

I cleared my throat and lifted a platform so everyone could see me, "Today I have removed the Dojo. In its place, I have built a center for relaxation. I built a Spa. There are several rooms other than the showers in there now – massage area, steam room, and other such areas. Greagoir will have the Tranquils learning the massage techniques that I have laid out. The Tranquil will also know how to make the new Soaps, Oils and Scrubs that I have filled the place with. You have all been through the Void and Back – some of you more so than others – and I felt you all deserved a place to unwind and forget your troubles for a little while. This is partly an experiment – Greagoir and Irving may go to the Divine about possibly using this Spa for profit. If that does happen, some of those proceeds will go to getting better food. Gaia knows that potatoes every meal is unhealthy. I want you all to experience everything the Spa has to offer at least once and let Irving and Greagoir know your true, unrestrained thoughts. If this works out, who knows what the future may bring? For now, only the showers are available until Greagoir and Irving can get the Tranquil working on learning those massage techniques and such."

One mage spoke up, "Why did you do this – for real?"

"I did this as I said – you all deserved something good after Uldred did what he did. I will be opening my own spa in Kirkwall when I move. This is also a goodbye gift, on that note."

A Templar laughed, "That's right – Cullen was made Knight-Captain for Kirkwall! We should have seen this coming."

Mutters of agreement ran through the people. Lake – who had been Lanes' best friend – said, "Husband and Wife should travel together – it only makes sense. But I think I speak for us all when I say that we'll miss you, Seeker Vane!"

Cries of 'Yeah' or 'For Sure' rang out through the crowd. I smiled, "I'll miss you all too – Kinlock has been my home as much as Highever for the past two years."

I lowered my 'stage' and Cullen kissed my cheek, "I'm glad you'll be going to Kirkwall."

"Me too – honestly, it wasn't set in stone that you would be, but I have to go there."

He nodded, "It's more like I'm following you then."

I chuckled, "Perhaps."

Lake came over to me, "When do you plan to leave, Val?"

I shrugged, "When the Blight is defeated I'll be leaving Ferelden. I'll be sure to make a stop here to say goodbye first; why?"

He turned, "You hear that? We have until the Bight ends!"

I furrowed my brows, "Lake – what are you planning?"

"A bunch of us wanted to get things for you – to thank you for saving us and being our friend. Besides – you turned 18 only a few weeks ago; we missed your birthday. It'll be like a two in one… when do you think the Blight will end?"

I gave a wicked smirk, "Wintermarch 9:31 Dragon. I already have the treaty for the mages fulfilled – I only need to visit the Dalish and the Dwarves and we can march on the Archdemon. With my abilities as a Seeker, and the Allies I have gathered, this will be the shortest Blight in history. I will defeat this Blight no later than Guardian next year."

Lake looked impressed. No one ever doubted me, anymore. I had done too many incredible things for them to think I was blowing smoke out my ass; the dojo – now spa – saving the mages when people thought all the mages would die, and other such feats.

Lake gave me a side hug, "We're going to miss you when you go, Val. Who knows; maybe I'll put in for a Kirkwall transfer!"

Lake wasn't interested in me that way – no, this man was 100% gay. It took me forever to figure it out though. I usually had such wonderful radar for that but Lake was so good at flirting with me that I legitimately thought he was serious!

Cullen – who knew that Lake was more of a brother to me than anything – said, "You know you'd report to me there, right?"

Lake snorted, "Like I don't already report you here? You're the boss lady's man. I don't know if you noticed but all of us have already been going through you – we all knew you'd get promoted over us peons eventually."

Cullen flushed, causing Elissa and Alistair to burst into laughter. Alistair said, "Wait; let me get this straight… you've all been reporting to him… because Val claimed him?"

"Nah – we only started reporting to him when she took him to bed and moved into his room. At that point, we knew he was hers. She may be easy going, but she's still a Seeker – you heard the tales – no one makes it through that vigil if they aren't strong enough!"

Alistair nodded, "That's true, but that doesn't mean he would be promoted."

"She scouted him for Kinlock before ever meeting him, Serah – we all knew he'd make Commander one day; Captain was a natural next step for him. So no, I won't mind reporting to him – I wouldn't mind being his errand boy if it got me to Kirkwall since Val will be there."

Cullen gave a dark grin – I loved seeing him doing that. It was never in the games that he had a dark side, but he could tease just as good as these guys. He said, "Well, a Knight-Captain is allowed to choose an assistant… Knight-Captain Hadley has Bran…"

Lake froze, "You'd seriously take me?"

Cullen shrugged, "Val sees you as a brother – that sort of makes you my brother… I have to give only one condition. If you can't agree then I can't take you."

Lake gave Cullen a wide grin, "Name it, Knight-Captain."

"You can tell no one that Valeria is my wife until she or I tell you otherwise. We have a feeling that someone my try and use that connection somehow, so we will be keeping it secret until we can confirm or deny that."

Lake snorted, "I wouldn't have told them without your say anyway – I'll just give them a different answer each time they ask now. Maybe it was Lane; he's gone now. Maybe it was Becca – she was at Ostagar and unaccounted for. Who knows? Could have been me."

Lake was giving me a grin as I giggled. Cullen rubbed his face, "I'm going to regret this, but fine – your hired."

Lake whooped and Greagoir groaned, "I'm losing two Templars in Herring – lovely."

I gave him a smirk, "Poor Greagoir – you still have Carroll, though."

The Templar in question had been passing by and straightened proudly when he heard this. Greagoir snorted, "Carroll's a good man; I'll grant you that. He does his job well."

I nodded and said, "You know what I find funny though?"

Everyone around us looked at me in confusion. Cullen bit the bait, "What's that?"

"I just find it highly amusing that I'm an 18 year old senior seeker who isn't Andrastian. I'm the youngest Senior Seeker on record, the strongest too, and though I believe in Andraste and the Maker, I don't really follow that faith."

It was quite for a moment as people contemplated. Alistair began laughing, "So what is your religion?"

"Gaia is also called Mother Nature. Basically, I worship the earth. I also align more closely to the Qun than I do to Andrastian Chants."

Sten nodded firmly – though the Qun wasn't my dominant religion, he could respect that I did follow it to some degree. I truly believed that everyone had their role in society.

Cullen smiled softly, "Andraste respected all walks of life – we can do no less to respect your choice in this."

I chuckled, "Andraste didn't even invent her religion – her handmaiden Justinia did. It was only after Andraste died that the faith ever took off. Andraste simply worshiped the Maker and was his wife – that was the extent of her belief. Justinia, Shartan, Maferath and others were the ones to start the religion on her behalf."

Greagoir nodded, "That's right – the Chant only began to spread 10 years after she died. -160 Ancient… it may not have succeeded if Archon Hessarian hadn't revealed Maferaths' betrayal. It wasn't until -130 when the Chant became official."

I smiled and nodded, "Correct – you are well informed. The first Divine was thus named Justinia the First in honor of the Handmaiden who started the religion. Unfortunately, 5 short years later, a new Blight started with the Old God Zazikel at the helm. The Anderfels was the location of that Blight. But that was also when the Anderfels became separate from Tevinter. Oh, look at me rambling on – you don't need a history lesson!"

"How do you know so much?" Lake asked seriously. I smiled, "My original homeland has an extensive spy network here and keeps immaculate, unbiased records. Did you know that there were several things removed from your histories because it showed Elves in a favorable light following their refusal to lend aid in the second Blight?"

Wynne looked fascinated, "Like what?"

"Oh, the Inquisitor being an Elven Mage was my favorite fun-fact that I can't find in your histories; as well as his lover, Telana – another mage who could control the fade; a Dreamer. The funny part is that he was the Commander of the Seekers of Truth and was a Mage. But it was his disappearance that caused the Elves to not help in the Second Blight. In fact, Seekers used to include mages in their ranks for the purpose of hunting demons and Maleficarum."

Greagoir looked skeptical, "You're sure?"

I reached into my bag – the one that could pull out anything I needed – and pulled out a detailed history book and handed it to Greagoir while opening it to the page on Ameridan. He read through it with wide eyes, "This… I should send it to the Grand Cathedral!"

I snatched it back, "No – they are not ready for undiluted truth. I will send it when I think they are ready. I would give this book to the Ariqun before I gave it to Divine Beatrix III."

My harsh words caused him to look stunned, "What… why?"

"You wouldn't understand – The Ariqun would record the information and use it accordingly to teach the Viddithari and Qunari. The Divine would use the parts she liked and cover up the rest! It wouldn't be the first time information has been scrubbed from the records and people killed to keep secrets. The Elves didn't lend aid in the second Blight and there was an Exalted March. That march was mostly racial and religious persecution – it was unjustified! Templars invaded their kingdom because they refused to let in Chantry missionaries. The elves were never asked for their aid – it was expected. If Drakon had asked the Dales would still belong to the Elves because there would have been no real reason for the March. And the attack that supposedly was the final straw? The attack was started by the humans – the elves were defending themselves! All because a human and an Elf fell in love and had a midnight rendezvous. The elves then advanced in earnest – they thought themselves at war. I will not allow willful ignorance to use things I hold against people I care for! No, better I give the information to those who wouldn't doctor it until it suits their purposes."

Irving looked ill, "The Dalish lost their home… due to racism and religious difference of opinion?"

I nodded firmly, "Do you see now why I will not perpetuate the idea of sending this to the Divine?"

Sten nodded firmly, "Kadan – I would take this to the Ariqun. It may have knowledge useful to the Ariqun."

"Of course, Kadan – the Ariqun would use it to its fullest extent, after all. She would not attempt to alter it. And I know the Ben-Hassrath would love the section on Ogres – they've been trying to get info on Ogres since the Steel Age."

Sten perked up, "Then I must thank you."

I shrugged and put the book back into my pack, "I'll give it to you after the Blight."

He nodded, "That is best."

Lake coughed, "You seem to favor Qunari…"

"No – I favor intelligence over stupidity. Sten has proven himself to me – the Divine tried to force me to marry someone when I already had vows to only marry for love. I told Cassandra that if anyone were to arrange a marriage for me now that I was free of that political shit-show, I would kill someone. If I'd actually made it to the alter with anyone other than the one she picked out, I would have killed the potential groom. In the case of the one she did pick, I'd have gone on a rampage. The only saving grace here is that I was already married to Cullen."

"Why not kill the one she picked?" Wynne asked. I gave her a blank look – she didn't know who had been picked – and said, "His name was Rhys. He is the son of two good friends of mine, not that he knows it. It would have been the only thing that saved his life."

Wynne paled and I heard Greagoir cough. Greagoir knew because he'd seen the picture. Wynne had looked into that book I told her he wrote and learned his name from that.

Greagoir said, "I will respect your choice in this – I trust you, after all. I know this may seem personal, but you've never been one to put personal feeling before duty to the people before."

I nodded, "Thank you for your trust. Now, I've had a rant, built a spa and had a long day… it's about 3 in the afternoon, so we've missed lunch. How about we go eat before I take Sten upstairs to spar with me and Cullen?"

"That sounds good," Alistair said. Elissa nodded. Who knew that today would be a day when I revealed a lot of lost history to Templars? I knew Greagoir would tell the Divine that I had the knowledge – just not what knowledge I had. He would give her teasing information – I knew a lot about Andraste, the Chant and the Inquisition. That would cause her people to gain interest in me; Beatrix had dementia – she was more of a puppet right now than anything.

Cullen, Sten and me went to a training area on the Templar floor and proceeded to kick each-others' asses. Cullen managed to hold his own well enough against Sten, surprising the giant and making him take Cullen more seriously.

Once Cullen was benched for Wynne to heal him, Sten turned on me as though this was a continuous fight. I had already stripped out of Cullens' shirt, though a male Templar had given me a battered one that he said I could destroy without worry – he never wore it anymore.

My fight with Sten went on for a good half-hour before he slapped his hand on the mat twice. I stood and smiled, "Good fight, Kadan."

I looked at Cullen, "Your turn, dear – unless you change your mind. There is no shame in admitting one is stronger."

He snorted, "There was never any doubt that you were stronger, my love – but I need to know just how strong… I need to do this; for my peace of mind while you fight the Blight if nothing else."

He wore only his pants and boots – Sten had managed to destroy his shirt somehow – and I will admit it was a little distracting. But I resolved not to pull punches for him.

Cullen seemed to evaluate my stance – I was holding a Judo form at the moment. The minute he got close, I jabbed out with Karate. Somehow, he managed to grab me and hold me from behind, so I flipped him using his own weight – again, judo. I was mixing arts – not because I needed to with Cullen, but because I respected him enough to give this fight my all.

I noticed Sten watching. When I sparred with Alistair, I used only a single form. I used Karate with Aedan, Judo with Elissa and meditated using Tai Chi with Leliana. Alistair was strong – he wasn't a Dragon for nothing – so I actually used Krav Maga with him.

When the fight did come to a close, I was lying beneath Cullen – his back on my chest – while I kept him in a choke hold. My legs were around his gut to stabilize my stance. He tapped the mat twice. I released him at once.

He coughed and took deep breaths, "Maker – I'm glad you're capable, but people fight you voluntarily?"

"Hey, if someone has a death wish, who am I to deny them a last request?"

Sten actually snorted in amusement at that. Cullen laughed shakily, still recovering as Wynne healed him.

Greagoir had allowed Cullen to 'tag-along' for the Redcliff bit.

Irving spoke, "So we have a limited number of rooms on this boat. Greagoir and I have agreed to share the Captains quarters, the 4 other mages are sharing and other than Cullen, 4 of the 6 Templars have already worked out where to sleep. I guess Cullen and the other Templar will share the room at the end of the hall…"

Alistair would share with Elissa and Wynne had her own room. I shrugged, "Actually, about that – can I share with Cullen and the extra Templar can share with Sten?"

The 'extra' Templar – Lake, actually – laughed, "I don't mind, Commander!"

Greagoir shrugged, "Then I don't see why not."

Wynne looked amused and said, "Then I think it's time for lunch – Valeria dear, I do believe it's your turn to cook?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but I'm feeling lazy so I'm only making macaroni and cheese."

Alistair lit up, "Cheese? Oooh – is that the cheesy noodle dish you made in Lothering?"

I snorted, "Yes, it is and you know… I almost forgot your obsession with the stuff. It's so hard to remember when you're talking about it, and all."

He flushed, causing laughter from other people. I went to the kitchen and started to make elbow noodles.

Over the week-long trip on the Circles' boat – more like an actual ship – Sten and I took to training Cullen in better fighting moves. I taught him some Krav Maga while Sten took to actively teaching Cullen Qunari fighting techniques.

I could tell Sten really respected Cullen – he wouldn't teach him otherwise, but there was seriousness to the training that I hadn't expected. Cullens' first fight with Sten must have left a wonderful impression. It was about the third day on the water that I realized what happened. Cullen had landed 13 hits and broke 4 bones on Sten – he had done admirably for a Bas.

When I asked Sten if I was right, the Qunari merely said, "He shows potential."

Cullen learned swiftly, too – thanks to previous training in Templar arts and Tai Chi, he picked up on Krav Maga swiftly. He also learned Qunari arts quickly too. It got to the point people looked forward to watching us train him for hours at a time each day.

Greagoir even picked up a move or two from me.

Having begun training Alistair in both Tai Chi and Krav Maga, I knew that there were some benefits to Cullen learning the latter just as he'd had when learning the former. In a world with magic, it appeared all forms of martial arts had some strange benefits. The more you learned of one art, the better their respective benefits. The voice in my head had told me all the added benefits…

Tai Chi enhanced the body and soul connection – as well as magic and anti-magic abilities. Judo helped with flexibility; but in mages it decreased spell-casting time and in non-mages it helped with magic resistance – Templars specifically got better mental resistance. Karate helped with speed; in mages it gave the added benefit of increased constitution while non-mages got better perception of their surroundings – Templars could go so far as to sense killing intent around them. Then there was Krav Maga… this art helped build strength and reflexes. In Mages, Krav Maga could exponentially increase their spell-power – being able to cast more 'high-level' spells with less mana – while Templars could gain superhuman strength. Already Cullen could lift more weight than before. Regular people who would learn this art in Thedas would also get the super strength.

It would never cease to amaze me that such things from Earth could have such an impact on Thedas. Sten had learned bits of each art, so he already knew that each one had a special and unique benefit. He wanted to learn all that he could, but I told him that wasn't a good idea.

When he asked why, I said it plainly, "This world needs balance. If I taught you all four forms, I would need to teach others from the human, elf and Dwarven people so that people were on a level playing field. What would be the point in conquering people who could not even lift their arms to you?"

He nodded sagely at that, "There is no glory in fighting those who cannot fight back."

"The Qun is already vastly superior in terms of strength and ability – there is no point in you teaching them these arts, and there is no point in learning more that I can teach you in a year."

He told me I was right and went back to training Cullen. A vision confirmed that he would not be teaching anyone in the Qun these forms.

Cullen had impressed Greagoir, Sten and Alistair with how quickly he picked up on new things – but being the one who taught him Tai Chi, I was unsurprised. I was still impressed with his aptitude, don't get me wrong, but I was used to him coming out on top.

Day five brought rain – so when we fought on the deck as per usual, the men only wore pants and shoes. I only wore a sports bra and black yoga pants much to the embarrassment of all but Cullen and Sten.

Cullen was used to me being 'indecent' and Sten was used to the Antaam-saar on females so this was nothing new. I had only allowed myself this because I didn't want to be wearing a soaking wet shirt.

Day six had Greagoir talking to me about Lake – about allowing me to take him around Ferelden with me. I scolded Greagoir for trying to take away Cullens' assistant and he looked properly chastised.

We arrived at the docks on day seven – at dawn. I was snuggled in Cullens' arms, listening to his heartbeat as he stroked my hair. He sighed, "I love you."

I smiled and lifted to my elbow while looking at him, "I love you too… it's a shame I can feel land – we're about to dock – or I'd show you just how much."

His eyes darkened, "Is that so? How would you do that?"

"By worshiping you, of course," I winked. He laughed, "I think you'll just have to show me later. If you can feel land, we should get dressed."

"I suppose," I pouted, but got up anyway. Today's outfit consisted of a halter-top with a deep plunge – black in color – with a white corset belt that had crimson swirling detailing. My black leather pants had matching detailing. I wore crimson thigh-high boots with a one inch 'flat' heel and matching gloves. Half of my hair was in a low ponytail with the other half in a high ponytail – making it look like one thick ponytail.

Cullen wore his Knight-Captain armor – he heard there was a demon and refused to wear anything casual until it was taken care of. I couldn't blame him.