Chapter 7

Kinloch Hold, 9:25 Month 10 - Harvestmere of the Dragon Age.

A young raven-haired boy- roughly thirteen years of age, came running through the halls towards the library before skidding to a stop - as he almost passed his destination. Out of breath, he looked up and down the aisle of books to find the person he was looking for.

Spotting his friend seated by the window, he quickly made his way over. Winded, he leaned on the smooth wooden desk in front of her.

"Olett, they… are here…. The new… Templars… and Initiates." He gasped slightly, sucking in as much air as he could.

Deedolett looked from her book to the flushed face of her best friend. She flashed his face with a cold spell. "You need not have run, did you?"

Quickly she gathered her books in a neat pile, and together they headed out of the door to get a peek at the fresh faces.

They stopped short of the corner, hearing an older man talking. Jowan peered around the corner. "Look, there is Irving talking with them now." Jowan whispered, still looking around the corner at the new recruits.

Deedo laid a delicate hand on Jowan's shoulder, bracing herself against him to get a look at the newcomers.

"Deedolett, could you come here, please?" Irving called over his shoulder.

Deedo straightened up, startled, and hastened to the First Enchanter; she could hear Jowan ask how did he know she was standing there.

"Yes, First Enchanter?" Deedo asks when she stood at Irving's side, tucking her sable colored hair behind her tapered ear. As she looked up to the First Enchanter, she heard someone gasp softly next to her.

The older man leaned closer to her and instructed her that her help needed in the nursery, that there were a couple of children brought in as well. She bowed slightly and made her way to see the new children, tugging Jowan along with her when she cleared the large corner.

The time it took Irving to inform her of her help, she felt like she was on display, sending an awful shiver up her spine.

One of the young The Templars spotted her from the corner of his eye, nudging his friends on either side of him, who took notice as well.

"This one looks like a bit of fun. Bet she'd be the type to do as told, eh? Know what they say about elf girls or mage girls." the boy chuckled as a few of his friends agreed.

"Waltgud!" Greagoir snapped, hearing the accusing remarks made about the female magi, and especially about Deedolett.

"Sir!" The boy stepped forward. Clearing his throat, Greagoir reminded the boys of their duties.

The boy standing closest to Irving had gotten a good look at her, whispering to himself, "She has blue-green eyes."

Then, hearing the comments made about her, she felt warm. A blush crept up her neck, daring she took a peek to see the one who gave her the small compliment when Greagior cleared his throat, she hurriedly went about her task. The young Templar watched as she left, deciding he would keep an eye out for the girl and Waltgud if he could.

A few years had passed and Deedolett had formed friendships with some newcomers who had come from the world outside the tower, absorbing any and everything she could.

She found it difficult to be around Waltgud, not that she sought him out, it was as he singled her out. He kept leering at her, finding her alone showing up unexpectedly, even single her out of groups of other magi, cornering her any chance he got–and yet she found Cullen shortly rescued and reprimanded her.

One day, in particular, a few years later, during her dance practice she felt Waltgud's cold gaze on her back and it disquieted her thoroughly, from that day on she sought a few of her male friends–to dissuade Waltgud's unwanted attentions, asking them to walk with her just in case.

Deedo had just finished helping in the nursery when Waltgud caught her alone, walking by her side. She politely declined his help.

"Aww, come on, I promise I won't bite. Let me walk you to the pavilion, it is my duty." He said with a grin that made the sea beast in the books she reads look like kittens and stars shine.

Waltgud stands tall, he is shorter than Cullen by a foot, long black wavy hair stopping at his shoulders setting the perfect frame against his warm olive-colored skin, his eyes are the color of storm clouds that go along with his sharp features and his smile is most charming.

Swallowing hard, she nodded nervously as he guided her to the double doors leading outside; he had his fantasies during his few years within the tower, many an apprentice had swooned over him, talking about his well-built physique. His preference has comprised the elves of either sex.

He had one vice he wanted more than anything, and just when he would corner the First Enchanters favorite, Cullen always rescued her. Today will be the day.

Cullen watched as the two approached, Deedolett stopping before him with a grateful smile.

Looking up at him through her thick lashes, "Hello Sir Cullen, would you care to join us outside?"

"I-I am a-afraid not Miss Su-surana." Cullen stuttered out. He could see her small knuckles turn white as she clung to the book in her arms.

"Oh, that is too bad, then. He would rather not enjoy the sun with us, more for me to watch." Waltgud places a gauntleted hand on the small of her back to guide her.

Cullen watched as he grinned ear-to-ear, leaning in to smell her soft curls taunting Cullen.

Deedolett's eyes widened as she felt his hand graze her backside. Cullen noticed her sudden tremble before she blurted, as she was being led away.

"If you can, join us outside!" Her eyes hinted unspoken with fear. Cullen felt his stomach twist into a knot. There was nothing he could do but watch as the both of them walked towards the first floor.

Once out in the bright sun, Deedolett placed her book down–she kept stealing glances at the door, hoping Cullen would have shown by now. Under the watchful eyes of Ser Waltgud, she removed her robe and folded it neatly before placing it on top of her book.

Waltgud licked his lips as he stood admiring her womanly figure, she was a little taller than the other elves of the tower and he let his eyes roam over her body and down her shapely legs no longer protected by the sheer fabric of her over-robe.

The under robe she wore stopped at her thighs–but it hugged, still enabling her to bend and stretch with minimal difficulty.

Cullen ran to find one of the other Templars to take his post. The imposing feeling nestled in the pit of his stomach twisted so much he wanted to vomit.

Deedolett took her first position, trying to stall the best she could, trying to let the steps come naturally, but this day the steps did not come. Still feeling the fiery gaze of Waltgud, she shivered under the warm sun. Closing her eyes and facing away from him, she let her mind relax. Nothing was helping.

'Think of something else. How beautiful today is? How I wish Cullen was watching…' Deedolett's eyes snapped open. She felt large hands wrapped around her waist. Armor pressed against her back, hands slowly rubbing her stomach and cupping her breast.

His breath hot against her ear, his tongue slowly licked the shell of her ear. With a smile of victory he slid his hand on her thigh, lifted the hem of her under robe. He teased the fabric of her undergarments, found smooth skin.

Waltgud kissed, licked, nipping at her delicate neck. "You are delicious. I promised I would not bite, not you at all." He smelled and tasted her.

Cullen raced to the double doors. His eyes searched the main walk, scanning, spotted her robe and book. His heart tightened. 'Where are they?'

Sweeping from the left and right of him, glanced around the perimeter of the tower, walking further away from the doors, he near the alcove leading to the small dock. Heard shifting of metal as he approaches. Now deeper in the alcove a blind part of the stairs that led in and off the tower isle, his face reddened with the thought of what they could be doing hidden from view.

Tentatively taking steps, he saw Deedolett with her head thrown back, eyes half-lidded, and mouth ajar. Waltgud held her in place while shifting his armor.

Cullen hesitated for a moment longer. The look on Deedolett's face was seductive, but definitely off. Her hair the color of snow, she was not moving; she was limp.

"Ser Waltgud, what are you doing to that Mage?" Cullen had heard the rumors about him deflowering other magi of the tower, but this was in broad daylight all could see if they tripped upon them.

Waltgud looked over the top of Deedolett's head, Cullen swallowed, "Deedolett Surana, come here." When she did not move, he called again.

Coming closer he reached for her with a hand around her limp wrist as he wrenched her from his grasp, she fell forward, catching her over his arm before she could hit the ground he looked to Waltgud, who partially exposed with the wickedest of grins splayed on his snake-like face.

"Do not look at me like that Cully, she wanted me to, that body of hers needs me." He stood with a smug smirk.

That irritated Cullen to lose all his composed temper. The urge to fight was strong, but the soft cry he could hear from the young girl in his arms took precedence.

Waltgud adjusted himself in the heavy armor, which he roughly tried to remove moments ago, and was once again in place. "I will claim her one day you cannot always come to her rescue." Making certain Cullen made direct eye contact with him. Not wearing his gauntlets, raised his hand to his face, then licked his finger with a sick smile before sauntering back to the confines of the tower.

Cullen's blood boiled. Gritting his teeth, he fought the urge to go after his fellow Templar. He carried Deedolett, adjusted her in his arms. He did not see the tear trail glisten in the light of the mage lit lights on the way back into Kinloch.

Cullen vowed then and there, as he climbed the stairs, "I will protect you, and I assure you no harm shall ever come to you."

Cullen marched to the First Enchanter's study. Cared not who saw, his anger at Deedolett's possible defilement spurred him to ignore the soon whispers that will flutter for many days to come.

Month 2 - Guardian, 9:27 of the Dragon Age.

Deedolett was the newest assistant in the Circle. To see mages come to their full potential, with a tender hand. She has been assigned one mage who needed the most help. Olett sat with Jowan in the library, hopefully helping him with one of the more advanced spells he had difficulty with.

"Alright, now you have to focus on what you need the spell to do, then once it has formed in your mind, you project."

Demonstrating a miniature spell for Jowan to see when the spell disappeared the second it cast; she tried it once more and the same thing happened; they heard a snicker behind them. When they looked up to see, it doubled Cullen over, trying his hardest to keep the laughter contained.

"Ah, so now I see." Deedolett stood up and cast again, in his unguarded direction, before he could dispel the spell she chilled him in place, looking her in the eyes.

Their turn to laugh as the Templar stood with a look of shock frozen on his face. Deedolett walked up to him, placed a delicate finger on his cheek.

"Having fun dispelling my spells, Sir?" she smiled sweetly, as he slowly came around.

"Miss Surana, I apologize I could not resist. Please, no more casting in my direction. You could be punished." He smiled, shivered slightly from his chill.

She feigned surprise, covering her mouth with a giggle. Jowan watching the exchange saw the blossoming.

"Well, please no more distractions. I need to see him through this." She turned back to her tutoring.

Deedolett looked from time to time to see Cullen still watched them, her to be exact. And soon it was time for lunch. Cullen had left some time earlier and had not returned; she and Jowan closed their books, that ended the study session.

"Olett hurry, cook is dishing my favorite dish today." Jowan tugged at her robe sleeve, leaving the books they used about the table.

Deedolett looked at the table then to Jowan, she pointed at the books, "You are going to help me clean this up first." She tugged her arm back.

"Fine, if I miss out you will make me some more." He picked up a single book and put it back on the shelf, then dashed out of the door to the dining hall.

"Jowan!" she mutedly called after him, exasperated, as he scampered out of the library. She threw her arms up, grinned, and gave up. Jowan did study well enough, just horribly stubborn with helping her clean up.

A small gust suddenly tousled loose strands of her now light brown hair. "Hello friend, come to help me?"

A tiny butterfly winged dragon appeared, gave a small trill and nuzzled her cheek, fluttering its brilliant wings to hold the books aloft for her to put away. Her stomach growled as she put the last book in place. "I should eat, but we are very busy cleaning after ourselves, are we not?" She smiled at the conjuration of Air beside her.

Cullen came in shortly after he asked Jowan where she was, caught her speaking to the spirit to hold the books that then followed her. It impressed him. "How are you able to do that, Miss Surana?"

She turned to Cullen, with a puzzled look on her delicate features, "Do what?" The Fae Drake gave another trill.

"This spirit, that is carrying the books for you, how did you do it?" he stood fixed on the spot behind her he could make out the form of an entity behind her looking at him, the air wavered slightly but no definite form.

"Oh, that is - well… It is a young Butterfly Dragon. You cannot see it, can you?" Deedolett chuckled nervously when Cullen shook his head. But she could tell he could see something.

Olett pursed her lips. "I have others, you know my snow rabbit? Several months ago I found out I could summon this one… one day I had a little difficulty carrying a few of my effects when I was coming down the stairs, and I lost balance and went to catch myself, but when I looked up, the books and other things I lost grip of floated, caused this little beauty to appear." She smiled softly, running a finger under its chin as it flapped its wings in Cullen's face, filling his nostrils with the scent of Olett.

"I was thinking 'Please do not fall'." She hoped it was a good enough explanation.

Amazed but still a little confused, he nodded and asked her if there were other things it could do. Before she could tell him, her stomach growled in response, turned away from Cullen quickly. Embarrassment presented itself on the tips of her ears. Excused herself, hurriedly placed the remaining books back to their spots on the shelves.

"I would like to walk with you to the dining hall if it is… If you will allow me." He could not believe how forward he was with his statement, nearly a hair's width away from retracting his offer rubbed the back of his neck, but when he looked up, certain she would reject the offer, instead rewarded with a smile that made him weak in the knees.

"I would like that, Sir." She slid the last book in her arms into its place. They quietly made their way to the dining hall, side by side.