I do not own any characters. They all belong to Bioware, the gods of genius. Thank you to everyone who has followed and reviewed! I hope you enjoy! Rated M for language and future lemons!

Chapter 5

Dear Lord, my head! I groaned, putting a hand to my forehead. I couldn't believe the pounding that was coming from it. I felt the wooziness from not getting enough sleep and felt a little drunk still. Rubbing my eyes, I tried to figure out why I was awake and what time it could be. I carefully got up, not wanting to make myself sick from the rush. There was a faint yelling and I strained my ears to hear where it was coming from.

The yell came again and I noticed it came from the direction of my open door. I ran a hand through my hair, realizing my hair must have come undone in my sleep. Slowly I stood, stepping on a boot as I did. And apparently, I kicked my boots off in my sleep. I went to take another step and felt the cool floor beneath my bare feet. I carefully made my way through the darkness, hoping my eyes adjusted soon. There were no guards outside my door tonight and I wondered why that was. I almost laughed when I remembered Cullen telling me about the guards being drunk. It was just him on duty tonight I guess.

I made my way to the rampart, the moon helping to light my way. I heard a yell again but it was softer, and nearby. Searching around me, I tried to find the person, looking over the left edge toward the barn. There was no one down there. Everything was quiet. I was about to return to my room, when I noticed armor gleaming in the moonlight. I squinted, trying to get a better look, but without my glasses, I knew I had to get closer.

I tiptoed toward the armor, not wanting to wake the soldier up. A hint of gold shone in the light and everything clicked. Why was Cullen sleeping on the rampart? I heard him start to mumble again and knew he had to be having another nightmare. I had an inner war with myself, wondering if I should wake him or not.

The wind blew heavy then and I felt myself shiver. I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to get warm. He had to be cold out here. Why wasn't he in bed? The wind made up my mind and I ran a hand through my hair again, glad to be almost completely sober. The moon didn't look like it had been more than a few hours since I left the tavern, making it about 2 or 3 in the morning.

I closed the gap to Cullen, sitting on the crate next to the barrel he was sleeping on. He was amazingly handsome in his sleep and I felt nervous about waking him up. His head tilted back against the wall, his blonde hair messed up from sleep. He had his arms folded across his stomach and his legs crossed at his ankles. His face was tense as he dreamed, and he mumbled again, saying Samson's name.

I stood up and tried to remember how to wake people with nightmares, not remembering anything from my phycology class. Screw it. Just touch his arm and say his name. I reached out a hand, fully intending to rest it on his arm, but my fingers brushed a stray curl from his forehead instead. I snatched my fingers away horrified, hoping that didn't wake him up. His eyes started to open a little and I quickly placed my hand on his arm as if it was there the whole time. "It's just a dream Cullen," I assured him softly, deciding to move my hand and take a step back.

His eyes blinked a couple times in confusion before registering me before him. He sat up quickly looking around and rubbing a hand on his face. The wind blew again and the curl fell back on his forehead. "What are you doing out here?" I asked, leaning against the wall of the rampart. From this side of the rampart I had an amazing view of the mountains, and they looked mystical in the starlight.

He ran his hand through his hair and stood facing me. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

I raised my eyebrows at him, wondering if he really didn't remember me moving his curl. "You were yelling in your sleep. Something about Samson."

I thought I saw a tint of pink on his cheeks but I couldn't tell in this light. Was Commander Cullen blushing? "I…I didn't realize…I'll make sure it won't happen again."

He leaned against the rampart and gazed out at the mountains lost in thought. "One of your favorite spots to sleep?" I tried, wondering why he fell asleep out on the rampart.

"Someone had to keep watch on you, and with my other recruits otherwise occupied, the job was left to me." He didn't look at me at all as he explained this, staring at the mountains.

I felt my headache pound even more and I wished for some aspirin. I had no clue what to say to his recruits getting drunk while keeping watch of me. "Oh," was my great response. "I promise I am not going to go or do anything besides sleep, if you wanted to sleep in your bed."

Whiskey eyes were on me then and even in the night I felt a shiver go down my spine. Those eyes. The wind blew again, adding to my goosebumps. "I should keep my post." There was a small smile and I felt my stomach flutter again. No, it was doing something else besides fluttering. I cursed myself for not eating more before drinking, knowing that getting to the extreme drunkenness I did, causes me to puke a few hours into sleeping. I needed to hurry and say goodnight so I could run back to my room and puke in my chamber pot or other side of the rampart.

"If you insist. It is weird knowing you are out here though, and it's getting colder," I argued, hoping he would go to his office so he wouldn't hear me puking.

He straightened his shoulders, pushing himself away from the wall. "Haven was colder. I'll be fine."

"Suit yourself," I acknowledged, starting to take a step toward my room. Hurry! Go! I felt my stomach start to send pains throughout my body. Run! "Goodni-." I didn't finish as I felt the gag reflex kicking into action. Not here! Not in front of him!

I ran to the side of the rampart and jumped onto a crate, making it just in time. I had one hand holding my hair from my face, while the other gripped the top of the stone wall, helping me keep balance. I felt my stomach heaving, trying to get rid of the ale in me and I knew it was going to start hurting soon. I began seeing spots from the continuous throwing up and felt my embarrassment go to an all-time high.

A hand grabbed my hair from me and an arm went around my waist to help give me balance. After a half hour of this endless nightmare, I felt my stomach stop clenching and I could take a deep breath. My knees were shaking, even with Cullen's support and all I wanted to do was sit. I leaned away from the wall and Cullen let go of my hair, helping me sit on the crate under me.

I put my elbows on my knees and leaned my face into my hands, trying to take deep breaths. Cullen removed his arm and I felt embarrassment again. I quickly wiped my mouth with my sleeve and shook my head. "I'm so sorry," I apologized, glancing up at him.

He was squatted in front of me, making sure I wouldn't fall over. He shook his head. "I've had my fair share of this, trust me."

I groaned. "It's still embarrassing," I muttered, covering my face with my hands. "I am never drinking with Bull and Dorian again." He chuckled at this and I looked up at him with a bit of annoyance. "Alright, this is my cue to get back to bed."

I shakily started to get up, and he grabbed my arm to help balance me. "Feeling okay?"

"I will once I get some more sleep. I promise you won't have to deal with me puking ever again," I assured him, wiping the hair from my face as the wind blew again. The chill of it felt good after the cold sweats and I wanted to close my eyes and let it blow on it for the rest of the night.

"I'm sorry I woke you," Cullen said quietly. Guilt was etched on his face and embarrassment. I either had to try to make it better or be even more awkward to make him feel better. I couldn't let on that I knew about his lyrium addiction. In game, I never got to the point of having him make that decision yet. Do you still do that even if you aren't romancing him?

"It's fine, Cullen," I assured him. "My sister talks in her sleep, so it felt like I was at home. Almost." The reaction was a mix of complete confusion and surprise. I should get used to getting that reaction from everyone. "Plus, watching me throw up rather ungracefully over a wall was probably repentance enough. I actually think if anything, you get a few more times of waking me up before you have to worry."

Good job Captain King, play it cool. You got this. You nailed being both assuring and awkward. It was becoming a talent. Cullen laughed and I wished I could listen to it all day. "You are being too hard on yourself. I have seen worse."

"That's…comforting I guess," not completely believing him, but happy he was trying to be nice. The headache seemed to make home in my eyes now and I knew I needed to lay down. A sharp pain on the right temple from my headache made me raise a protective hand to it, eyes scrunched in the sudden assault. "I think I should get back to bed now."

"Should you require anything, I'll be here," he told me. I quickly opened my eyes in shock. This was the first time anyone said something to me, word for word from the game. I knew all Cullen's lines. I worshiped the Maker anytime that man spoke to me when playing.

Was I in a coma? Was this all something of my imagination? Will I wake up three months from now in a hospital bed, rambling about what happened? His honey eyes stared at me in concern and I felt the anxiety in me. How was this possible? How was I in video game land? How was there a rift on Earth? There had to be a reason for all this? None of this made sense and I could feel myself going crazy. I knew now that I needed to find a way back. If I did, then maybe I would wake up from the coma or whatever the fuck was happening here.

"Kassy, what's wrong?" His tone was serious now and his forehead was furrowed. I should tell him in the spirit of honesty. He deserved at least one truth from me. I felt like such a fake when I looked at him and guilt ate me. They wouldn't believe me if I told them the truth? He didn't when I tried with Puff.

"I think you should know that I don't plan on staying here indefinitely or anything." He stiffened a little bit and I could tell he thought I meant I was planning on running away. "I will stay and help the Inquisition as agreed, but only until I find a way back home. I don't know if that's through another rift or…," I tried to rack my brains, "something."

"Everyone has given up their home for the Inquisition," Cullen argued, his arms now crossed in front of his chest. He seemed taller whenever he got into Commander mode and my 5'9 frame seemed to be shorter than usual, which was a rather odd and nice feeling. Right now, it was odd and nerve racking. I didn't argue well as my friends could confirm when we tried to talk politics. "How are you an exception?"

"Don't go commander on me," I replied with a bit of heat. My temper was easy to flare up and his tone and words made me angry. "I know that. I'm not stupid. In fact, I know more than you could possibly imagine. There is no reasonable or logical explanation I could explain to you to even help you understand how I know this." His eyes got a little colder and I knew he was in full swing commander mode. "Look at me though Cullen," I gestured to myself, sweeping my hand up my body.

"I obviously don't belong here. I fell here accidently, even if you don't believe it. I have nothing to offer you guys that you won't figure out later. Even my songs are…pointless. I have no idea how anything works here, it's like going back a few hundred years in my age, which I always kind of wanted to try. That's not the point though." I pushed a hand through my hair closing my eyes. "It's like trying to discover how to live in a whole new life but without absolutely knowing anyone."

I kept my hand in my hair, placing pressure where pain was building. I gave him a classic Kassy stare, reserved only for when I am trying to get a point across or get something done. "I don't mean to sound whiny or filled with self-pity. I know you don't think very highly of me, especially now. I just thought you should know the truth. Maybe you'll actually believe this one."

Cullen's face was a mix of emotions and I didn't want to stand in the cold breeze anymore, suddenly painfully aware that I wasn't wearing a bra in the cold. When he spoke, he sounded as if he was struggling to grasp what I was saying. "You said you're a captain. Didn't you go away on trips before from home? How is this any different?"

I stared at him in an "are you fucking serious" way. "You honestly don't get it, do you?" I couldn't let myself get worked up about my family yet again tonight. I would find a way to get back to them. I could. I turned, heading back to my room, knowing I was beginning to be unreasonably angry. This wasn't Cullen's fault at all, it was my own.

"Explain it then," he called, and I froze deciding if I honestly wanted to.

I sighed and faced him, hands on my hips. Keep your temper. "I might have gone away to other places, but there was always a sure way of getting back home. A way to let my family know where I was and how I was." I waved a hand around me. "This is an entirely different universe! A different dimension! Nothing is the same." I glanced over at the mountains again.

"There are so many different races, creatures, and plants that I thought was only pretend. There is no obvious way of getting back to my world. Even if I had a hint, how could I be positive I would make it to the world I'm from? My family and I are…were…close. We always knew the whereabouts of each other. If this is real and I truly am in a different life, and not unconscious dreaming this up, my family thinks I am dead or disappeared." I turned to him again. "Eventually, if I can't find a way back home, after not being able to find me for a year or two they will assume I am dead. The worst part is I never actually got to say a final goodbye at all." His eyes seemed to become softer and I saw the pity there. "Don't pity me Commander. That's not what I am after. I just-," I tried to find a way to end this conversation. "It is easier to convince myself I can find a way back than admitting I might never talk to my family again. Ever."

I could tell he didn't know what to say to this, so I just shrugged and gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry, I am tired and said some very stupid things. Enough of the emotional portion of the evening now. I am going to head to bed. I'm sorry if that explanation didn't help relieve your disapproval of me." I started to head back to bed. "Oh, and Samson has a way of being defeated, it's his armor. Red lyrium I believe. Track down Maddox, he'll have some information on it. If that helps relieve your nightmares at all."

Cullen looked as though there were so many questions he wanted to ask. As he stepped forward, I held a hand up. "Tomorrow please Commander. We both need some sleep. I'm positive if we keep talking, your disapproval rating would be in the negatives."

Cullen shook his head in exasperation and frustration. "My disapproval rating would be in the negatives?" Confusion was evident in his tone and eyebrows.

I stayed quiet, feeling the queasiness return. I headed to my room, picking up my pace as the wind blew again. I made sure to close the door behind me and felt the tightness of my pants pressing into my stomach. I ripped them off, wanting to have as much comfort as I could to ward off the actually puking part. I sighed in relief once they were on the floor and I went to the trunk to get a different shirt, the sleeve of the current one smelling…unpleasant.

A dark red shirt, almost like highever weave, sat on top. I threw off my white one, throwing it to the corner of the room, before slipping the red one over my head. This one was a tad bit longer, going mid-thigh, and felt like a night shirt. I fell into bed, slipping the blanket on me and drifting into sleep quickly.

"Kassy, there is a meeting in the-. Rough night?" I heard the door bang open and Dorian's voice rang through the room and I groaned in reply. I reluctantly opened my eyes and realized my blanket fell off after I fell asleep, leaving my legs and some of my ass open for viewing.

I blushed and quickly sat up so that my legs were bent, covering my bum and thighs. "No thanks to you and Bull," I grumbled, reaching down for my pants. Thank God, I knew Dorian preferred men. "I had an unpleasant moment with the Commander last night."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, unconcerned with my dressing in front of him. "Have a thing for young Templars?"

I knew my face went a brighter red. "More like I threw up all of my stomach's contents over the rampart wall in front of him." He let out a sympathetic "ooh". "Then we argued. I don't think he approves of me very much, if at all." I finished adjusting my pants and went over to throw on my bra. "Turn around please."

He rolled his eyes but did as I asked. "Hopefully you get some approval soon because the Inquisitor asked for a war meeting. You were specifically asked to join." I threw my bra on in a hurry, noticing that this shirt went a little lower than the white.

"Shouldn't I be getting the Inquisitor's approval, not Cullen's?" I snapped my corset hooks together and started to tighten the strings. "Do you mind helping me?"

Dorian's eyes widened in surprise before he rolled them. "I'm not a hand maiden," he muttered, grabbing my shoulders to twirl me away from him. He yanked on the strings, making me lose my breath for a moment. "Getting the Commander's approval will help you in the long run. I have a feeling that you will be working with him more than anyone else here, besides the Inquisitor."

"Did I mention how handsome you look in that outfit Dorian? I bet every man here can't keep their eyes off you, or woman for that matter." I gasped again as he laced me in tighter. "You trying to kill me?"

I heard his chuckle and he tied the strings into a bow. "Flattery does get me on your good side. As for killing you, I am doing quite the opposite." He spun me toward him with a satisfied grin. "The Commander will be giving you definite approval today." He grimaced as he saw my hair. "Do something about that though."

I grabbed the comb provided in the trunk, yanking it through my snarls. "Trying to play matchmaker Dorian?"

He leaned against the wall again, watching me start to put my hair in a side braid. "The Commander has been too broody lately since we got to Skyhold. Walking around with sad puppy eyes. If you are stuck here, might as well have some fun."

I laughed as I found the cord from yesterday under my pillow. "You have to high of faith in my womanly wiles. Trust me, they are not good…at all." I made a bow with the cord and sat on the bed to pull on my boots. "Why were you sent to get me for the meeting?"

"The Inquisitor and I were talking when a report came to her attention. I offered to gather you when she asked for a recruit to do it, figuring you were not going to be a pretty sight after last night." He laughed and strutted toward the bed. "I was right."

I rolled my eyes at him this time, standing up, putting on my belt before grabbing my loot. "I should get a strap made for this," I muttered to myself.

"There is," Dorian told me, reaching into a pouch on his hip. He held out a leather cord. "You forgot this at the tavern."

I thanked him, attaching it to the lute and put it on my back. "Talk to you later?" I asked him with my eyebrows raised. He nodded and waved me out the door.

"Go win over that Templar," he teased. "Meet me by the tavern when you are done. Iron Bull and I wanted to help you with some weapons. If you want to live past dark spawn, then you are going to want to learn some basics."

I felt relief in my chest and some anxiety disappear. "I don't know what I did to deserve you Dorian."

He waved me on and I hurried toward Cullen's office, knowing they were probably waiting on me. His office was empty when I passed through, though I noticed some papers on his desk with Samson's name written on it. I ran down the rampart and power walked into Solas' study, pausing when I didn't see him in there. Would he be at a war meeting?

I felt a little nervous strutting across the great hall to the war meeting room. I pushed open the heavy wooden door to Josephine's office, noting the empty desk. Awesome. They were all there. Way to make an entrance Captain King. I ran through the door and down the hallway to the War Room. I pushed open the door, my chest heaving with my running. Cullen stopped mid-sentence and everyone's eyes went to me.

I took in the war room, excited to finally see it in person. I approached the table slowly, taking in all the details of the room. The markers were fascinating, almost like monopoly pieces. I took in the daggers and noticed only a couple. So, we were in the beginning, we still haven't entered the fade again. "Don't let me interrupt," I addressed Cullen with no embarrassment. "Please, continue Commander."

He narrowed his eyes slightly before turning back to Branwen. "We will have our defenses ready to take over the Wardens."

"Excellent," Branwen nodded and turned to me. "Captain, I'm not sure how much knowledge you possess, but I was hoping on any you have about the Wardens and the demon rituals they have."

I noticed Solas in the corner of the room, silently studying the meeting. "Well Inquisitor, I am assuming you saw these rituals being led by Erimond in the Western Approach?" Everyone stared at me with a mix of surprise and suspicion. Branwen nodded. "Thought so," I turned to her, taking my lute off and setting it against the table. I leaned a hip against the table and crossed my arms. "Here is the deal. You are going to have to go to the Adamant Fortress and after you clear and path to Erimond, you'll realize he basically brainwashed all the Grey Wardens. Clarel will be the one doing a ritual. You must hurry and get to her before she does it and convince her Erimond is crazy. Follow them to the top of the tower, before the dragon comes. Once he gets there, there is no way to save Clarel and the dragon will kill her."

"Dragon?" Cullen asked, his mind trying to process what I was saying. Josephine was scribbling fast, her hand almost a blur.

"Yes," I replied. "I assume it's the same you saw in Haven."

"You know about Haven?" Josephine inquired, her hand still writing.

"Yes, but that isn't important." I focused on Branwen, her elven eyes pale and wide. Her hair was perfectly in place and she seemed flawless. I felt a pimple forming on my chin from lack of usual soap and facewash suddenly self-conscious of my appearance. "Inquisitor, chose your companions for this journey wisely. I can't tell you why, but know you need those that are strong of mind and character for this journey. The weak will break."

Solas' stare was piercing and I turned my greyish blue ones to his own. "What would break us?"

I returned the piercing glare. "The Inquisitor has to discover that part of the journey herself." I turned to Branwen again. "I'm sorry I can't tell you that part. If I was there when it happened, I could tell you more, but that is all I have for now."

She nodded, studying the map. "When Hawke sends the word, we will go." Her stare returned to me. "You will come along."

"Me?" I exclaimed.

"Yes," she continued without pause. "I want to be as prepared for Corypheus as I can. The sooner he is dead, the sooner peace can return to Thedas." She moved to the other side of the table to study the progress of the Hinterlands.

"You don't understand Inquisitor," I rounded the table, making sure I was right in front of her, painfully aware I was standing rather close to Cullen. I leaned my hands on the table. "You aren't going to have peace once Corypheus is dead. He was the result of someone else's doing."

Branwen glanced up at me and she seemed almost amused. "Corypheus was someone's doing?"

"You think I'm lying, but I'm not," I told her with a straight face. "There is more to this story than what is happening at this moment."

Branwen crossed her arms, her face telling me she wasn't buying my story. "I will keep that in mind Captain. However, for now, we should get troops ready." She glanced up at her advisors and they all nodded in acknowledgement before heading out.

I glanced at Solas from the corner of my eye and found him studying me again. His face held the same puzzled look of yesterday. Good. Wonder away you bastard. "There was another reason I wanted to talk to you Captain. Solas had a theory that we wanted to test," Branwen informed me as she gestured for Solas to come over.

He made his way slowly, looking me over. "What theory is that?" I asked with a hint of sass.

"When Branwen came out of the fade, she had a mark on her hand that controlled rifts. I'm wondering if you falling from the rift gave you some type of fade powers." I stared at them with complete amusement. "Don't you think I would be able to tell if I had rift powers by now?"

Solas shook his head. "Sometimes there is a trigger that causes the magic to show. I am not sure if your world has magic appear in a subtle way."

I rolled my eyes. "We don't have magic in my world."

"You have too, or else the rift wouldn't have shown up there." I stood opened mouthed, not knowing what to say. "We could do some exercises in the fade to see if I could help you understand the powers you possess."

"That isn't a bad idea Solas," Branwen agreed. "I think you two should figure that out before we leave for Adamant Keep."

"Yes Inquisitor," Solas replied automatically. "Anything else you wish of me?"

She shook her head, heading back over to the map with a piece of paper in hand. "That will be all, thank you."

I felt annoyance in every fiber of my being and I strode over to the other side of the table snatching up my lute. I threw it over my head, rushing from the war room. "Captain," I heard Solas call after me. He shut the war room door, approaching me as I tapped my foot waiting. "If you were free later, we could begin discovering your powers."

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "It's funny you think I would go into the fade with you at all. I don't trust you, Solas. I know your secrets."

He didn't seem phased by this at all. "I have no secrets," he replied. "It would benefit the Inquisition, having all the information we could. That includes knowing what you are able to perform."

We had a stare down, blue vs blue. I could see the determination in his eyes and I hated him so much at this moment. "If it helps stop Corypheus fine." I played the dumb card, deciding now wasn't the time to tell off Solas about his evil ways. "One hour only."

"After the evening meal, then?" His eyes seemed to calm down and I knew he bought my dumb card. I nodded my head in agreement, watching him walk away. I gave him a two-minute head start before making my way toward Josephine's office, grabbing the apple from her desk eating it as I entered the main hall. God, I was so hungry!

I tried to let my anger at Solas fade away on my way to the tavern. I recognized Cullen's figure from afar talking to some recruits. I focused on the tavern, hoping he wouldn't notice me walking by. I sighed with relief when I made it to Herald's Rest without being seen. Iron Bull was off to the side a bit, practicing blocking with Krem. Dorian held his staff, polishing the skull with a cloth and observing the two.

I stood next to Dorian, watching the Bull in action. He was terrifying in real life. I watched his muscles move and ripple with every strike and block. Krem was tough though, matching every block Bull gave. "That's almost terrifying," I said to Dorian.

"I find it almost appealing," he thought out loud, stopping his polishing to observe Bull in action. Bull heard my voice and ordered Krem to take a break.

"Ready for some training Rift?" He held a shield and sword, making me want to go to a corner and hide.

"Yes?" Not quite sure his idea of training was.

Bull laughed at me, gesturing for me to follow him to the black smith. There were some weapons laid out in a corner, and Bull looked to me in Captain mode. "Which one of these speaks to you?"

I set my lute against the wall and walked over to the weapons, studying them. I noticed a couple of curved daggers and they reminded me of something from a video game. "These," I told him, picking them up and weighing them in my hands.

"Figures you'd go for daggers," he muttered. "I pegged you as a greatsword girl, but I guess I was wrong."

I glanced at the greatsword, not quite positive I'd be able to pick it up and swing it. How much heavier was it here then at the Renaissance Festival? I set the daggers back down and gripped the hilt of the sword, surprised that it wasn't as heavy as I was expecting. "This does feel pretty bad ass," I grinned, adjusting my grip and swinging it.

"It is an attractive weapon on you," Dorian teased with a wink.

"Let's get practicing," Bull announced, swinging his sword down on me. I instinctively held mine in front of me, knowing I'd need some power to keep it from hurting me. He seemed happy with my reaction and kept swinging, yelling advice and orders at me.

We practiced for a couple hours that way. Within the first half hour, I had thrown my corset and belt off and that made it easier to fight. I felt my arms shaking and I knew I was horrible at this, but I gave it my all, pushing and following whatever instruction Bull yelled for me to do. Dorian sat on a barrel, yelling suggestions and "friendly" advice as I tried to keep my focus on Bull and his sword.

"Sorry I'm not very good at all," I panted when Bull finally called a break. "This was the first time actually fighting against someone with a sword."

Bull raised his eyebrows at me, and he gave a chuckle. "That was very good for the first time, Rift. Practice with me every day for the next month, and we will get you where you need to be."

"If you want her to fight like the Ben-Hassrath," Cassandra's said, strutting up to us with her sword in hand.

"What's wrong with that?" Bull asked, a challenge in his eye.

"Nothing if she was going to join the Chargers," she commented. She turned to me. "If you want to learn to fight efficiently, let me teach you."

I raised my eyebrows at her, still panting. "Really? You want to teach me to fight? Why?"

She rolled her eyes, striking the classic Cassandra pose that she does when she is annoyed. "For some reason the Inquisitor believes you are important for our cause. I'd rather not have you die and learn some proper techniques."

I glanced at Bull who shrugged his shoulders. "You could always do both Rift," he told me.

I turned to Cassandra and smiled. "I will take whatever help I can get in this department."

She gave a small smile and nodded. "It will be a lot of dedication and practice. Are you willing to listen and do as instructed?"

"I can speak on her behalf on that," Bull told her, looking at me with a bit of pride. "She is tough, and she gives it her all."

"Good," Cassandra said and she gestured toward the training field. "I'll meet you on the field tomorrow morning after you eat."

"Thank you, Cassandra," I called as she walked away. "Hopefully with all this training, I won't die."

Dorian chuckled and patted me on the back. "Let's go get you some lunch. You are probably starving after all that training."

I pulled on my lute, putting my greatsword on my back with it. I picked up my corset and belt, following Bull and Dorian to the kitchen for some food. "Captain! A word!" A voice called.

Bull and I both turned and Dorian winked at me. "Seems as if someone else wants to be graced with your presence."

"Nothing is going to happen there Dorian," I hissed at him.

"Shh. He's getting near," Dorian told me, grinning at Cullen as he approached. "She's all yours Commander," he nearly sang, walking away with a snicker.

"I have been looking for you for an hour," annoyance in his tone. "I would like a word with you in my office," Cullen informed me, glancing me up and down. He saw the sword on my back and he quirked an eyebrow. "Training?"

I glanced down at my sweaty shirt and probably messy hair. No Cullen. I just naturally sweat like this. "Iron Bull and Cassandra are giving me some lessons." He nodded, seeming impressed with me training. "What did you want to talk about?"

His eyes focused on mine and I felt a chill. "You know what," his voice was quiet and I could tell he was losing patience with me fast.

"Fine," I sighed. "Let's go. Can we stop by my room? I wanted to drop this stuff off before heading to eat, I'm starving." I headed toward the barn, not waiting for him to lead. I was tired and hungry and knew that a long conversation with a hangry Kassy was not a good one.

I found the barn, following the staircase that led to both our rooms. I felt the burning in my legs as I walked up the stairs, the training taking its toll right now. I crossed to my room throwing my sword and lute off my back, almost groaning with relief. I threw my corset on the bed and tied my belt around my waist.

Maker's Breath, I was nervous about this conversation.