A bit of a long chapter but I hope everyone enjoys :) -
"My Lady."
Tama turned and noticed the bearded grey warden standing at the edge of the training ring, seathing her daggers Tama walked towards him, "Just the man I wanted to see." she smiled pushing the loose hair from her face. "I wanted to thank you for the toys and the small practice sessions you have been giving Sar…."
Blackwall chuckled, "No need for thanks, the boy has potential."
Motioning for him to join her Tama walked towards the stables, knowing this was where he normally spent his time especially when he was working on a wooden creation. Walking into the barn she noticed the small fire which sat warmly in the middle of the building, the smell of fresh hay ever present. Taking a seat she once again wiped the sweat from her brow, frowning as she caught her own smell, a bath was definitely needed.
Looking up she noticed Blackwall taking his usual seat and sitting in his usual silence, which she didn't mind. Somehow ever since she went out and recruited him they had both been able to sit in silence and enjoy it unlike a big brute she knew, her thoughts were quickly stopped when she noticed him frown, "What is troubling you?" she asked, wondering if he would indeed answer her.
"I do not like knowing that the grey wardens have got up and disappeared off the face of the world. Something is wrong. I think we should follow up on the leads we have."
Tama considered his words for a moment. It had unsettled her from the beginning knowing that not even her spymaster could find the grey wardens. Was it that damned tevinter demon child from the depths of the fade? Frowning she rubbed her temple, hopefully they would find at least one clue to what the hell was going on.
Sighing as she stood she couldn't help but feel the heaviness of her limbs, a bath was definitely in order and she made it next on her mental list of to do's.
"We can leave tomorrow. I have nothing huge on the agenda for a while."
"You don't have too my lady."
"Shush. I have decided we will leave tomorrow, I think some of us need to get away from these walls." and of course certain people she added mentally at the end.
Saying her goodbyes Tama left the barn and made her way up the stone steps, nodding to the few people that past her on her way to her chambers. It amazed her how quickly a bath had been made up for her, elves really did move quickly and quietly. Smiling her thanks for the handful of servants who left her to bathe she quickly stripped out of her practice gear and couldn't help sighing in delight as she lay down in the large wooden tub, the water slowly warming her aching muscles. Untying her braid she was already half out of its holding she let her hair fall down her back she sat back, grabbing the nearest book which she had been requested to read from Dorian, Tama began to enjoy her much needed bathing time.
"Smells like flowers."
"COLE!" gathering her nerves again she chuckled nervously wiping the water from her face, "Next time please just make at least one sound."
"Sorry. But how is it flowers when there are none?" he asked curiously watching the steam rise from the tub as he sat on the corner of the wooden desk, somehow not managing to mess up the numerous piles of paper which were scattered across the top of it.
"Oh.. you mean the fragrance." Tama looked over her shoulder at him, motioning with her head she pointed out the numerous of small bottles to the side of where he sat, she watched as he got up and walked over inspecting each one with enthusiasm she could not help but chuckle as she watched his eyes widen with each new smell.
"So many …" he muttered grabbing another bottle she watched as he smiled, "I like this one." before she could question he had closed the space between them and was placing the bottle underneath her own nose.
Sniffing Tama smiled, "Roses and Lavender, one of my favourites as well." she smiled grabbing it from his callous hands and letting a few drops fall into the water making the fragrance more pronounced in her chambers.
Cole smiled as he watched her, letting the smell overcome him again, it smelled of spring, of happiness he thought. Reaching down he scooped some water into his hands and watched it fall through which after he smelled his own hands.
Tama could only sit back and watch in amusement as the spirit began inspecting the water with his normal child like curiosity.
Smiling she could not help but reminisce about the first time he had suddenly appeared in her chambers. It was just after they had recruited the Templars and after the shit storm that ended up happening, she still wondered how they had all survived but then again there was no point in questioning it, after all she had been spit out of the fade. She was just about to add some fragrance to her bath, oh god did she need it then, her limbs were sore and the bruises were slowly appearing, most likely a lot of the people were having relaxing baths that night.
After pouring in the fragrance he had appeared staring curiously into the water, scaring the hell out of her as usual. It wasn't that she was what the humans called modest, no Qunari was modest when you thought about it long enough, just that when someone suddenly appears out of thin air and your nerves have been racked that day well … it only made sense. Now it seemed this was their little moment together and Tama did not mind it at all, there was a calming presence to the spirit, even if others were skeptical.
"Bull likes this one as well."
She was thrown off a little by his statement, "Excuse me?" she muttered sitting forward once again, the steam rising again as she readjusted her body in the water, placing the book back to where it had been lying only moments ago.
"Bull. He likes this one." Cole held up the bottle before tilting his head to the side seeming to consider something, "Especially when he smells your hair."
Tama coughed trying not the choke, Cole had a way with words she knew and sometimes he did not realise what he was saying. Rubbing her forehead she smiled awkwardly, "That is nice." she managed, grabbing the cloth she began to wipe her skin, sighing a little as she rubbed at her shoulder feeling the ache of her muscles ease a little more.
"Cole give me your hands." she motioned waiting for him to place them in hers, "Now relax." she smiled seeing him tense a little at the contact.
His tension did not last long as she began washing his hands, paying close attention to his nails, which somehow were always found to be full of dirt. Looking she smiled more as she noticed him smiling underneath his hat. Pushing up his jacket sleeves she began washing his arms, she didn't know if spirits bathed but it seemed Cole enjoyed the feeling of water against his skin and well everyone like to feel clean she thought to herself.
"Inquisitor." Josephine knocked on the door, turning she nodded to Bull as he climbed the stairs to join her, "Do you know if she is in?" she asked stepping to the side a little as the large frame of the Qunari seemed to fill the space between her and the door.
"She should be according to Varric." he muttered before testing the handle of the large wooden door which creaked open with invitation, shrugging he began making his way up the last flight of stairs followed by the small steps of Josephine.
"Inquisitor…" Josephine began before stopping before she walked into the back of Bull, "What the …?" she questioned looking around him and squeaking in surprise which made a very naked inquisitor and Cole turn around in surprise.
Tama quickly turned around trying to hide her blush, why the hell was she blushing she scolded herself, "Bull, Josephine." she acknowledged settling herself further into the water thanking the heavens she was facing away from them.
"Bull." Cole smiled still sitting on the edge of the tub. The silence seemed to grow between the group until Cole began once again playing with the water.
"Sorry for interrupting." Josephine blushed keeping her head down.
Tama chuckled, "It is ok Josephine, I should have placed a sign." Looking over her shoulder she tried to ease the tension, "So … what or who do I have to kill this time?" She had to bite her bottom lip as she saw Josephine panic.
"No killing. Not yet anyway .. just some letters to respond to." Josephine quickly made her way to the desk, avoiding to look at the inquisitor.
Sighing Tama braced herself and stepped out of the tub, letting the water run down onto the stone floor, she walked over to the desk and picked up the letters Josephine had just placed down and noticed josephine had a small blush on her cheeks as she tried to look anywhere else other than her. Rubbing her foot against her leg to fight off the goosebumps, Tama looked to Josephine.
"I can get these done for tomorrow morning. However I plan to go to The Stormed Coast tomorrow. Blackwall wants to investigate the wardens."
"Yes inquisitor." Josephine quickly nodded before hurrying out of the room.
"And you…?" Tama queried glancing over her shoulder at Bull who was still stood at the same spot at the top of the stairs, she noticed him rubbing his neck, was that nervousness she witnessed but before she could speak the room filled with a splashing sound, which she couldn't help but laugh as she noticed Cole sitting in the tub fully clothed and gazing in wonder.
His body physically could not move. No matter how much he screamed at his legs to move they didn't respond. Bull watched as Josephine walked around her to the desk, but his gaze went back to the water droplets making their way down her toned back. He also could not help but notice the freckles which adorned her shoulders, and the way her long white hair stood out from the colour of her skin. Mentally cursing himself he was about to stop the thoughts of her body from invading him completely when what did the woman go and do … she stood up giving him full view of her rear and legs.
Groaning he could feel himself harden as he watched the end of her hair tease the top of her rear, watching the way her muscles moved as she climbed out the tub. She was punishing him he thought as he stared, trying to calm the fire that was running through his veins. He licked his lips as he watched the water run down her skin, he wanted to taste it, retrace their path along her skin. It was then he noticed the hurried steps of Josephine as she passed him, he thought he heard her muttering something but his attention was short lived as he was brought back to Tama and her voice.
Thankfully before he could stumble on his words Cole had decided to jump into the tub which was shortly followed by Tama's laugh, which was very infectious, shaking his head he tried to stop himself from bursting into another round of hysterics.
"Come on kid." he motioned, he smiled as Cole climbed out shortly standing next to him, placing a large arm around the boy's shoulder he motioned him to the door, looking over his shoulder at a still laughing Tama, "I can ask you later." he nodded, when you are clothed and not distracting he thought guiding the very soaked Cole down to the main hall.
"She smells nice." Cole spoke smelling his own clothes.
"Lavender and Roses." Bull replied a small smile playing on his lips whilst he closed the door behind them.
