Cullen looked at Maxwell when he entered into his office.
"I have been reading the letters found in the Quarry. Samson is making red lyrium from people?"
He nodded grimly. "Not anymore. Not in that mine."
Cullen shook his head. "I knew Samson had fallen, but this? It's monstrous. We have to put an end to him." He then picked up a piece of parchment. "Look at these orders from the encampment. That armour must give Samson extraordinary power. We may not be able to stop him."
"Samson's a menace. If we can't defeat him, no one stands a chance."
Cullen nodded in agreement. "Then we must destroy the armour." He shook his head. "I couldn't say how. Templars are trained not to destroy expensive magical equipment. Perhaps Dagna has some ideas? She crafts the impossible every day."
Dagna appeared to be in a very good mood. She was actually singing as she moved about the undercroft, twirling now and then as if dancing. Maxwell smiled. "Experiments going well?"
The dwarven woman jumped as if startled. "Oh, yes, Inquisitor. Everything is going wonderfully." She laughed. "It just feels like a good day."
"What have you learned of Samson?" Maxwell leaned against the stair railing.
"He should be dead." Dagna gestured with one of her tools. "I mean, you could make a hat out of red lyrium and kill people, especially the wearer. Samson's armour, it's genius. To do all this and not go insane, it must be resistant. Or he is insane. Or both." She tossed the tool up in the air and caught it.
"So in addition to killing others, it's slowly consuming him, too?"
"Yes." She punctuated the statement with a jab of the tool. "But slow is not fast. Doesn't matter, I can find a way to hurt him. I just need time and red lyrium. For tests!"
"Is that wise?"
"Everything is safe if handled properly. And you don't touch it long. Or breath it." She traded out tools and started waving a contraption around that had several moving parts. "I mentioned the hat, right? No hat." She grinned widely. "Time and resources, Inquisitor. I'll get you what you want. Now shoo. I've work to do." She went back to tinkering with whatever it was she was making.
Theron was in a tavern with Adaar, pouring her drink.
"I heard that you got news about your old company," said Theron.
"Yes, Josephine put in a few words with the nobility and apparently a group of fanatics believe that I came from Par Vollen and believes that I'm converting the faithful to the Qun," she said shaking ahead.
"Your company came out all right?" Theron asked.
"Most of them, Captain Rylen managed to free a good many of them, but not before three of them were killed and one has left the company for good," said Adaar.
"Just proves you can't save everyone," Theron sighed. "And I just got word that Ellana's clan was able to infiltrate Wycome successively thanks to Leliana's people and our people manage to manage to fortify the city before an invasion of Free March troops arrived."
"And what's that state in the city now?"
"Thanks to Lady Guinevere Volant negotiations went smoothly and they formed the new council. With Ellana's Keeper having a seat as well as a city elf alongside several human merchants. Now the city will rule fairly for both human and elf."
"First Ferelden, then Orlais and now a city in the Free Marches, your people are certainly gaining influence across Thedas," Adaar noted.
"And I have a feeling it's only going to get better," said Theron slamming his tankard with hers and the two of them drank.
"No red lyrium, no allies, and soon Samson will have no armor. I hope," said Cullen cheerfully.
Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "You hope?"
"Dagna's started work on her red lyrium samples, but she needs more details on the armour." He gestured. "We found orders in the mine. They mention Maddox. A name I did not expect to hear."
"Another voice from your past?"
"In a way. This is complicated." He paced behind his desk. "Maddox was a mage in Kirkwall's Circle. Samson smuggled letters between him and his sweetheart. Eventually Samson was caught—that's why he was cast out of the Order. Maddox was made Tranquil, and became a skilled craftsman of magical items. Samson must have…" Cullen leaned on his desk. "Rescued him."
He frowned. He'd heard of abuses, but… "I can't believe they made a man Tranquil over a few love letters."
"The official charge was 'corrupting the moral integrity of a templar.' Knight-Commander Meredith wielded the brand for far lesser offenses, believe me."
"Why would Maddox need saving?"
"When the mages rebelled in Kirkwall, the worst battles took place at the Gallows, in the Circle itself. I thought Maddox had died in the fighting, or was eking out a living in the streets—a hard fate for a Tranquil in Kirkwall." He rested his hands on his sword hilt. "Samson must have found him. Taken him in."
"Perhaps there's something left of the man Samson used to be."
Cullen shook his head. "Or he's shrewd enough to know an extraordinary resource." He gestured at the papers on his desk. "It seems Maddox built Samson's armor for him, and maintains it still." He drummed his fingers against his sword hilt. "Tranquil in Kirkwall needed rare and expensive supplies for their enchantments—supplies we can trace." He looked up at her. "I can have our men kick down some doors, Inquisitor. Samson's armour might lead us right to his stronghold."
Maxwell nodded in agreement and then made his way outside and walked past Evelyn. The two of them looked at each other for a brief moment and then he simply smiled and she made her way over to Cullen.
"Hunt going well?" she asked.
"Very, your brother has been very supportive and I don't think it's because he wants an advantage over Corpheus," said Cullen.
"He always tries to see the best in people, but when he sees a person that is beyond reason that when he acts," said Evelyn. She then looked at him curiously. "You've mentioned siblings. With everything that's happened…" She knew she wasn't the only one who had lost family to these events. "Do you know if they're all right?"
"I've received word from my eldest sister. She was always good at tracking me down. South Reach has experienced the same chaos as everywhere else—my family is fine. Pray they remain so."
Evelyn frowned. "Your sister 'tracked you down'? She didn't know where you were?"
"I let her know I was in Haven. She assumed I survived." He looked slightly defensive, and then hung his head. "It's not the first time. I may have neglected to tell her when I was transferred to Kirkwall."
Had she not kept her brothers apprised of her location, they'd have hunted her down. "Why?"
"I wasn't in a good state. I wanted only to leave. I received an angry letter about my 'disappearance' two years later." He smiled fondly. "For all her reprimands, it was a relief to hear from someone who knew me before the Blight."
She tilted her head at him. "If you don't mind me asking…" She shifted a little. "Theron mentioned one of the Wardens during the Blight was a circle mage. Did you know him?"
He nodded. "I attended his Harrowing, actually. He was a talented mage. Considering that he held for the end to the Blight, that goes without saying."
Maxwell approached Dorian, who was looking through several books trying to get an idea on what Corypheus' real name was.
"Any luck?" Maxwell asked.
"Josephine's been a real dear, how she acquire these tomes are never know," said Dorian. "I also made a few contacts within the Imperium, I still have some friends there. And I think I might've found something that Josephine acquired from the Grand Archivist desires for his personal collection. Josephine is arranging the bribe as we speak."
Ellana had just received a message saying that Vivienne wanted to see her.
"My dear, I'm afraid I must ask you for help." Vivienne adjusted one of her sleeves. "There is an alchemical formula that I must complete, but I have been unable to obtain a critical ingredient: the heart of a snowy wyvern." Vivienne gestured. "I had arranged to obtain one, but the chevaliers working with me were killed in the civil war."
A little more practice killing dragons couldn't hurt. She imagined that Adaar and Iron Bull would probably consider the outing fun. "If I'm going to hunt down a snowy wyvern, I need you to tell me everything you know about it."
"They're quite rare and exceedingly dangerous. Their venom is the most potent of any wyvern. Ordinary hunters would not make the attempt. The risk is too great. You, my dear, would certainly be an equal to this monster."
"We'll see if we can locate one."
"Thank you, my dear. I would be most grateful. I shall give the location of its lair to Cullen. Remember, my dear: I must have its heart, or the potion will not work." She inclined her head. "I eagerly await your success."
"We have him, Inquisitor!" Cullen drove a marker into the map. "We've found Samson's lair." He smiled up at her. "My duties usually keep me here, but for Samson? I'll make an exception."
Maxwell expected anything less. "I'm looking forward to fighting by your side, Commander."
"Likewise, Inquisitor. We'll depart at your leave."
"We'll leave in the morning," he said.
"This is it," said Cullen as he and Erdic pushed the gate open. "The heart of Samson's command."
"I don't see him anywhere," said Maxwell. He looked around and saw that the place was on fire, and looked all but deserted. He could make out only a few figures moving in the distance. "Or hear him."
"Nor I." Cullen readied his shield. "Maker, tell me he hasn't fled…"
Cassandra and Erdic went left, while Maxwell and Cullen went to the right. Varric remained in the centre, firing his crossbow whenever he had a good shot and Dorian readied his staff. At once a small group of red templars attacked and Maxwell found himself fighting back to back with Cullen.
He blocked the blade of the red templars and then kicked him in the chest before blocking the sword from another. Cullen blocked the projectiles coming from a monstrous templar and then rammed into him with his shield. Mass was pleased the two of them could fight together side-by-side as they had not done it before.
The others caught up with them at the door, and they hit the behemoth with wolfpack tactics. A blow from Adaar caused cracks in the red lyrium, and Dorian created a typhoon of fire. The behemoth shuddered, and all four warriors moved in to hit it again. It fell, tumbling down the stairs to land unmoving.
"This place is already half-destroyed," Erdic noted.
Frustration was evident on Cullen's face. "Samson must have ordered his templars to sack his headquarters so we couldn't."
"Sorry, Curly." Varric looked around. "Someone tipped off Samson you were coming."
"I think you're right. Still, we've dealt Samson a blow."
"There are people moving around," Maxwell gestured. "Perhaps there is still something or someone to be found."
They fought their way through a couple groups of red templars. Despite the offer, none of the red templars surrendered. Near the back of the last chamber, Maxwell spotted someone slumped against a wall. He moved in that direction, flanked by Cullen. He was only a few feet from the figure when he lifted his head and spoke. "Hello, Inquisitor."
"You know me?" He moved in closer.
Cullen knelt next to the man. "It's Maddox. Samson's Tranquil." He glanced up at him. "Something's wrong. I'll send for the healers—"
"That would be a waste, Knight-Captain Cullen." Maddox's eerie voice interrupted him. "I drank my entire supply of blightcap essence. It won't be long now."
"We only wanted to ask you questions, Maddox," said Maxwell.
"Yes. That is what I could not allow. I destroyed the camp with fire. We all agreed it was best. Our deaths ensured Samson had time to escape."
"You threw your lives away?" Cullen gestured angrily. "For Samson? Why?"
"Samson saved me even before he needed me. He gave me purpose again." Maddox's voice was growing weaker. "I…" He slumped. "Wanted to help…"
Cullen remained silent for a moment and then, he sighed, and stood up. "We should check the camp. Maddox may have missed something."
They found a stash of lyrium bottles that had been licked clean. Samson had been there. And likely not all that long ago.
Varric kicked one of the bottles across the room. "Drinking it, wearing it, growing it—you can't say Samson isn't committed."
Cullen drummed his fingers against his sword hilt. "How much red lyrium is Samson taking? His resistance must be extraordinary."
Maxwell sighed. "We can't leave Maddox here. He should be properly laid to rest."
"If even Samson did his best for Maddox, we can do no less."
Erdic grabbed the blanket from one of the beds, and went back to start wrapping the dead Tranquil. Cassandra and Varric went to one side of the room to search, and Maxwell and Cullen went to the other. Cullen found some papers on a table, and growled. "Samson left a message. For me."
Maxwell looked up. "What does it say?"
"'Drink enough lyrium, and its song reveals the truth. The Chantry used us. You're fighting the wrong battle. Corypheus chose me as his general, and his vessel of power.' And other such nonsense." He shoved the papers haphazardly into a sack. "Does he think I'll understand? What does he know?"
Erdic looked around the workshop. "This must have been Maddox's room."
"The fire couldn't destroy these entirely." Cullen ran a hand over the items on a workbench. "Whatever they are."
"It looks like tools, and part of a forge."
"Tranquil often design their own tools. Dagna should be able to make sense of them." He began carefully packing the tools away. "If Maddox used these to make Samson's armour, she could use them to unmake it." He smiled. "We have him."
"The red lyrium deposits are being destroyed, and we've cut the red templars down to the core." Cullen drummed his fingers against the hilt of his sword. "It's a pity Maddox thought his sacrifice was the only answer. But that leaves Samson with a severely curtailed army, and enchanted armour he can't maintain. You did it."
"We both fought to make this happen. Don't sell yourself short." His friends did that entirely too often.
"Well I—thank you. But my work's not done yet." He gestured at his desk. "We're getting recruits by the hour. There's more than a few ex-templars among them. We've struck a blow and given people hope. This is a true victory."
The door then suddenly opened and they turned to find Dagur rushing towards them as if someone's house was on fire.
"Inquisitor, I finished it! Are you talking? Sorry. Have it anyhow." Dagna was waving something above her head. She handed it to Maxwell.
"You mean, this rune?" Maxwell turned it over, looking at it in confusion.
"It's not just any rune. I made it with red lyrium and what's left of poor Maddox's tools. The rune acts on the median fissures of lyrium to—" The dwarven woman caught herself starting to do the rapid fire speech. "It'll destroy Samson's armor. He'll be powerless."
Maxwell exchanged a wide smile with Cullen. "We'll cut Corypheus off from his most powerful officer."
"Maddox covered Samson's tracks thoroughly. But wherever Samson's retreated, we'll find him." He nodded. "Your army stands ready, Inquisitor. For Samson, for Corypheus, for whatever you command."
Ellana discovered that finding the snowy wyvern brought them face to snout with another dragon, much to the delight of the Adaar and Iron Bull. And, if she were completely honest with herself, she'd have to admit she'd had just a little bit of fun battling the beast alongside her comrades. Ellana imagined Vivienne would say the same.
Vivienne tapped the dead dragon with the butt of her staff. "You know, Cassandra, you really ought to have armour with gilding. Or dragon scales. Preferably both."
"Would that not be impractical?" Cassandra looked down at her silverite plate mail.
"It would be dramatic, my dear! Half the value of armour is intimidation."
"I prefer the half that keeps blades out of my innards, personally."
After which she returned to Keeper Hawen informed him of the death of the elves in the Emerald Graves and gave him the records they discovered in the temple. He was grateful that she completed their mission, but he was still saddened by their death.
"Ellana, you are a treasure." Vivienne's smile was genuine and warm. "Please, accept this as your payment. I must begin work immediately. You have been a dear friend, and I…" Vivienne hesitated a moment before smiling again. "Would like you to come with me."
The manor seemed alien, with no people inside. Vivienne led her up the stairs. "This should only take a moment, my dear."
Vivienne walked to the man lying on the bed. Ellana caught a scent in the air, and felt a lump rise in her throat. The man was dying. Vivienne's face was gentle as she took his hand. "I'm here, my darling." She lifted his head and put the potion to his lips.
He stirred slightly, eyes opening. "Vivienne?"
"Yes, darling."
Duke Bastien raised a hand to touch her cheek. "It's going to be all right, my love." His hand fell, and he went still.
"My darling? Bastien?"
Ellana came up beside the other woman. "Vivienne, I'm sorry."
"There's nothing here now."
Not knowing what to say, she simply took Vivienne's hand during the carriage ride. Vivienne's fingers clutched hers despite her face remaining composed. "Bastien is dead. I can hardly believe…" She swallowed, and a faint trace of a smile came to her lips. "It was the Wintersend Bal, my first visit to the Imperial Palace. The Circle sent a dozen of us to entertain the nobility. I was in awe of everyone and everything. And then…" Her fingers tightened around Ellana's. "Our eyes met. Bastien spent the entire ball at my side. The dowager tried to have him killed for slighting her, but he didn't care."
"Falling in love across a crowded ballroom. Sounds like something out of a children's story."
"He was a dashing rogue, and any defects he might have had were made up for with rank and importance. It was…" She closed her eyes for a moment. "A more innocent time, I suppose. And now he's gone, and I…" Vivienne nodded slowly. "I must right to his son Laurent…" Her voice became more businesslike. "And his sister will make a terrible fuss if she isn't informed first. And I'll need to arrange for the Chantry services. Maker only knows how long that will take."
"If I can help you, just say the word."
"No, my dear. I'll handle everything." The carriage came to a halt. "Excuse me. I have so much to do."
Evelyn slipped into Cullen's office and watched him give instructions to his men. "Rylen's men will monitor the situation."
"Yes, sir. We'll begin preparations at once."
"In the meantime, we'll send soldiers to…" He glanced up and saw her. "Assist with the relief effort. That will be all."
"Sir." The men started to leave. Cullen shut the door behind them, and leaned on it for a moment. "There's always something more, isn't there?"
"Long day?" Ellana asked, crossing her arms.
"I shouldn't complain." He walked back towards his desk. "This war won't last forever. When it started, I hadn't considered much beyond our survival. But things are different now."
She walked over to him. "What do you mean?"
"I find myself wondering what will happen after. When this is over, I won't want to move on…" He turned to look at her. "Not from you." He touched the side of her face gently. "But I don't know what you—that is, if you, ah…"
Ellana caught his hand. "Cullen. Do you need to ask?"
"I suppose not. I—"
She sat on the side of his desk, and her hand brushed a bottle. It wobbled, then fell to the ground and shattered. She gasped, and started to apologise, but her attempt to stand back up just knocked another bottle down. He caught her hand, then smile and shoved everything off his desk and to the floor. She smiled as he laid her back on the desk.
In a matter no time the two of them had remove their clothes and she was lying down on the desk rubbing her breasts while Cullen was eating away at her womb. She could feel his tongue moving deeper and deeper inside of her and then he moved his hands, which were rubbing against her thighs, and placed them on her breasts.
He began to squeeze them causing her to gasped and Cullen removed himself from her womb and began to climb onto the desk himself. He then inserted his length into her and began to push in and out of her and at the same time rubbing her breasts firmly and gently. Evelyn arced her back with every single push and wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. The two of them then began to fight over dominance with their tongues dancing inside one another.
Cullen then removed his hands from her breasts and clasped her butt cheeks and then lifted her off the desk. This sudden movement courted to lose the fight of the tongues and she felt Cullen's tongue dancing inside of her mouth.
He then began to carry her over to his bed as he pushed in and out of her. She automatically wrapped her legs around him and began to move with the same rhythm. He then gently placed one hand on the small of her back and place down onto the bed. With the other he began to run his fingers through her hair. Then with one last push he unleashed his liquids within her and a split second later she did the same. Cullen, who was now completely exhausted, landed on top of her. She then rolled him onto his side and the two of them fell asleep in each other's arms.
She woke to sunlight streaming in the window, and the sound of Cullen's heart beating. Evelyn lay there for some time, comforted by the warmth of him. A regretful sigh escaped her as she sat up and started looking for her clothes.
On the bed, he shifted. A soft cry escaped him. He murmured, telling something to leave him be. She touched his face, and he woke with a gasp. "Bad dream?"
"They always are." He touched her hand. "Without lyrium, they're worse." He sat up in the bed. "I didn't mean to worry you." He caressed her face gently.
Evelyn ran her fingers though his hair. "You can let me worry about you a little." She bent, and pressed her forehead to his.
He laughed as he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. "All right." He held her to him. "You are…" His voice was little more than a whisper. "I have never felt anything like this."
"I love you. You know that, right?" she said looking into his eyes.
"I love you, too."
