Chapter Seven: Into the Hinterlands we go!
Author's notes:
It's been awhile since I've updated this story ^^; But I have been chipping away at the chapters. I hope you will enjoy it!
The journey to the Hinterlands was uneventful, thank the Maker. Indeed it was quite peaceful on horseback as they made their way through the snowy mountain pass of Haven. The winter wonderland began to thaw, melting into vibrant grassland and colorful wildflowers. Birds chirped merrily overhead, while bumbling insects like honey bees buzzed from fragrant bloom to the next.
The sight was overall calming, yet Evelyn found herself feeling distracted. Every so often she would sneak glances up at Cullen, who led the party. The Commander wore his heavy fur mantle armor, sans the lion helmet. And he was in an animated conversation with Varric. The young woman felt an inner turmoil deep within her gut, like a small boat tossed about in a violent sea storm. She had questions for the Commander, his connection to Evangeline, and yet she wanted to keep a distance away from him…worried of what she may learn. Then again, there are surely plenty of Evangelines in Thedas, Cullen may have been dreaming of a completely different person for all she knew. Feeling despondent, Evelyn let out another deep sigh.
"All that sighing will attract demons," came Solas's crisp tone as he edged his Fereldan Forder to pace alongside Evelyn's.
"Really?" The young woman gasped, and then peered around nervously as she had been sighing quite a lot.
Solas smiled as he shook his bald head. "No, but your sighing does lend me to inquire if you are alright?"
Evelyn nearly sighed again before she caught herself and gave Solas a mischievous grin before replying. "Physically, I feel better after Adan's care. But, mentally…I don't even know where to start," the young woman shrugged her shoulders in defeat.
Solas chuckled in response as he kindly observed the Herald, "I can imagine with all that has happened, the Conclave, the Breach, and the mark upon your hand. It is enough to drive one's mind mad. But, should you need another's ear, both of mine are available."
At his offer, Evelyn smiled warmly back at him. "Thank you Solas, though I worry you may rue the day you made this offer!"
The Elf chuckled again, and the pair rode in companionable silence. Evelyn didn't even realize she had stopped sighing.
Meanwhile, Cullen had snuck a furtive glance over his armored shoulder. He watched as Evelyn talked amicably to Solas, a difference from the cold reception she had given him earlier. Quickly the Commander looked away lest he was caught watching, however he paused at Varric's gaze. "Just checking on the rest of the party," Cullen remarked matter of factly.
"Mmmm hmmm," Varric murmured, a knowing gleam in his caramel eyes.
The mountain pass opened into a large valley surrounded by lush forest. From what Evelyn could remember of the Hinterlands, it was home to Redcliffe Village and their Chantry, as well as several farms to tend the fertile land. Off in the distance was the esteemed Redcliffe Castle. And within the valley many ruins of old, waterfalls with caves, and rumors of a Highborn Dragon.
"We pull off the road here," Cullen announced as he led his horse into the brush as if to make a detour. Though lo and behold, further along, hidden by a thicket of forest was an active scouting camp. At first Evelyn wondered to whom it belonged to until she spotted a banner with the golden eye of the Inquisition gently flapping in the crisp breeze.
Just as they slid off of their horses a feminine voice called out, "Commander Cullen!" The owner was a young female dwarf in dark green scout attire. Her auburn hair was neatly swept back into a bun, revealing a fair freckled face. Her hazel eyes gazed over the party and widened when they fell upon Evelyn. "The Herald of Andraste!" She remarked in awe. "I've heard the stories, I mean everyone has. How can anyone not have after what you did at the breach," the lass gushed until she realized she had not introduced herself. "Oh, beg pardon, Inquisition Scout Harding, at your service."
"A Harding huh," Varric's strawberry blonde eyebrows raised with interest, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ever been to Kirkwall's Hightown?"
Scout Harding blinked before shaking her head as she replied, "I can't say I have. Why?"
"Well, you'd be Harding in…oh never mind," Varric cut himself short, noticing the blank stares from the group. However over in Haven, Cassandra let loose a disgusted grunt without knowing why…
Evelyn stepped forward with a smile as she remarked, "Well met Scout Harding. Though I'm starting to worry about these stories that everyone's heard. It was a group effort at the Breach." The young woman rubbed the back of her neck as it had flushed with some embarrassment. A gesture that Cullen was beginning to notice.
"I…of course. And we'll all do whatever we can to help," Harding replayed with a warm smile.
"We will be making our way to the Crossroads," Cullen stated as he crossed his vambraced arms over his chest.
Harding nodded, "The Spymaster informed me of your mission, though I'd be careful on the path towards the Crossroads because there are Templars and Apostate mages scattered about, itching for a fight, and getting into skirmishes. Best leave the horses here until the path is secured."
Nodding in agreement, the party left their steeds at the camp. Evelyn checked the straps of her thick defender coat, secured her Fereldan Soldier helmet, and flexed her gloved hands. The four then followed the dirt path down into the valley, but once they set foot on even ground blasts of chilled ice and crackling fire magic whizzed overhead.
"Maker!" Cullen cursed loudly as he withdrew his longsword and held up an Inquisition shield. Quickly Evelyn followed suit with her longsword and Griffon shield. Behind them Varric prepared Bianca while Solas held his staff at the ready for healing.
There were two armored Templars on their left, and two mages on their right. The group walked right into an active battle, causing 4 pairs of eyes to stare back at them in question as whether they were friend or foe.
"We are neutral," Cullen stated in his strong voice as he peered at the Templar, then over at the Mages.
"Not buying it Templar!" One of the male mages with ice magic spat.
"Oh ho oh!" One of the armored Templars sneered. "I see that Apostate mage!" And he brandished his sword at Solas, while Varric, who stood next to Solas turned to look curiously behind them for said Apostate mage.
"If you are not with us, then you are with them!" The female mage shouted as she brandished crackling fire magic.
"And if you don't have a side, then you will side with them!" The second Templar stated gruffly as he raised his sword, which was already stained with blood.
"This is utter madness!" Cullen groaned, yet he quickly issued orders. "Solas with me. Varric, provide cover for Evelyn." Cullen turned to Evelyn as he instructed, "I'll take on the Mages. You will take on the Templars, aim for the weak parts in their armor." And with that Cullen raised his shield and charged at the mages with Solas providing multiple dispells against their elemental powers.
"Okay, just two highly armored Templars pumped with lyrium, we got this right?" Evelyn asked her companion. Her heart rate had started to race as adrenaline entered her system, kicking off her fight or flight response.
"We got this Herald," The Dwarf replied with the confidence Evelyn needed, plus a roguish smile to boot.
Cullen advised to aim for the weak parts in their armor, but she would have to get close to do so. How would she manage that? Then a thought came to her like a lightning bolt…and luckily none of the two mages wielded lightning. "Hey Varric?" The young woman asked as the two Templars kept a wary distance. "Can you aim for the eyes? I've got an idea."
Varric chuckled, "I didn't take you for playing so dirty Herald, but just you watch." And the Dwarf let loose a barrage of arrows at the Templars' eyes, making them keep their shields up, but at the cost of interfering with their field of view.
Okay, here I go! She had to be quick and luckily she had speed as an advantage. They realized too late that the young woman was at their side. Her honey brown eyes searched and there, just under the left shoulder was an opening as the Templar kept his shield up. And with all her might, Evelyn drove the tip of her blade into the man. But the sensation of her action resonated down to her core. It wasn't a straw practice dummy or rotting leathery skin of a demon. This was another person of flesh and blood. The man screaming of sheer agony, the sight of spurting bright crimson blood, the feel of her sword piercing muscle was altogether…shocking. And in response, Evelyn dropped her sword and shield, leaving herself completely vulnerable.
"Evelyn!" Cullen shouted with panic in his voice. He and Solas had finished with the two mages, only for the man to turn and see Evelyn drop her sword and shield as she fell to her knees. The second Templar was rushing towards her. Maker give me speed! The Commander prayed as he charged full force into the second Templar with his shield, bashing into the man. The Templar was thrown backwards to the ground, only to have a hail of arrows keep him down, at his final resting place.
"Herald what were you…!" Cullen began angrily as he turned upon the young woman, his chest heaving from the moment of fright for her safety. Yet the rest of the man's words died in his throat as he took in Evelyn's posture, trembling gloved hands, and eyes through her helmet. Those wide glossy eyes…staring down at the body besides her. Cullen knew that stare all too well, the realization of taking another's life for the first time.
"Evelyn," Cullen said again, in a soft tone as he knelt in front of her. "Are you alright?"
The young woman finally blinked and turned her gaze from the corpse, towards Cullen. He seemed earnest and worried as warm tawny eyes searched her face. "I…I'm okay. It's just…striking down human beings is much harder than demons, you know." Evelyn steadied her hand to lift up the visor of her helmet, and tried to smile, but it was clearly forced.
Cullen's gaze was gentle and understanding at her words. His immediate response was to reach out and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he kept it at his side. "I do," Cullen replied gently. "We will seek peace when we can, but protect ourselves and others if we must."
He watched as Evelyn nodded her understanding, then quickly averted her gaze away from him to blink furiously. Cullen rose back to his feet, and lowered his hand down to her, not realizing he held his breath wondering if the young woman would take his proffered hand.
Evelyn looked at the hand, then up at the man. It was at this moment Evelyn realized that the Commander was kind…he was a good man. And she accepted his hand as Cullen helped her up.
"Thank you," Evelyn remarked gently before quickly letting go of his hand to busy herself with picking up her sword and shield. She could feel heat flush her cheeks and was thankful to be wearing the helmet to hide it.
However, as her hand left his, Cullen felt a tinge of sadness at the loss of her warmth. The Commander flexed his hand, making a fist before relaxing it; he could still feel her touch. But, a firm thought echoed in Cullen's mind, he could not allow any feelings for Evelyn form…
More rambling notes from the Author:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I want to not only develop Cullen's and Evelyn's relationship, but also show how Cullen helps Evelyn become a leader as she is new to navigating the battlefield, leadership, and well…killing other people. I hope I portrayed that well ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭*
ʕ⁎❛ᴥ❛⁎ʔ Likes are always appreciated and reviews fuel my writing muscles! ʕಠᴥಠʔ
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Dragon Age Franchise and Bioware's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…though my original characters are from my own madness.