CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cullen settled into the chair at his desk with a sigh. Fennec had already run off to the play with the horses so she could see Myra return from the Emerald Graves. The Commander had already spoken to Myra about the red lyrium shipments he had tracked there, and had asked her to investigate them in hopes of finding their source and destination. Since then, they had been corresponding via the Inquisition's aviary. Though he had already read the letters a dozen times, he decided to flip through them once more.
Commander,
Attached is a letter we found on a shipment. Will send them as we find them.
How is Fennec?
-Myra
Short and succinct, straight to business, yet her emotions showed all the same in that one line: how is Fennec?
Cullen,
Attached is another letter regarding the shipments.
Thank you for taking the time to update me, and please pass word of my gratitude to Josephine. Providing a tutor for the children is a wonderful idea.
Taking your advice, I've attached a letter to Fennec below so she can practice reading. I believe you are correct in that it should help put her mind at ease.
Fennec,
I miss you every day I am away. The Commander tells me you are in school. How are you liking it?
Don't worry about me. We're both very strong. I love it here. I am learning so much about my people.
I will be home soon, my child. Be a good girl for Commander Cullen until I return.
With much love,
Myra
Cullen smiled at the letter she'd written for her foster child and his mind wandered back to reading the letter with Fennec by candlelight after a long day of work. She had been so excited.
"She wrote me a letter!" she had cried. "Myra wrote me a letter!"
She had needed help with some of the longer words, but otherwise she'd read them as well as any six-year-old. Cullen wasn't sure if she had heeded the Inquisitor's advice, however, considering the events of the next week.
He flipped to the next letter.
Cullen,
Attached is the final letter. We have a location.
I am very sorry that Fennec is causing you trouble. I'd like to say I could hardly believe it when you told me she'd gotten into a fight, but that child was born in flame. I don't blame you for losing your temper with the instructor. If he tried to blame my child for defending herself against the children who were bullying her, I'd be livid as well.
I am happy to hear that Krem was play-fighting with her. They were using wooden swords, correct? If not, I'll need to have a firm talk with the Charger. I'm not surprised to hear of her talent: she's always had fast reflexes and a good head on her shoulders. If she enjoys it, sword training is a wonderful idea. If you could please arrange that, I would be in your debt.
Thank you so much for looking after Fennec while I'm away. She needs someone looking out for her.
Below is a reply to Fennec's letter.
Dear Fennec,
Try not to get into fights: it's not fair to the other children. I will be back in about a week. I love you and look forward to seeing you again, my child.
With the deepest love,
Myra
Cullen's heart fluttered upon reading those words, despite knowing they were not intended for him. Their letter correspondence over the past three weeks had really opened a personal bond between himself and the Inquisitor, or so he felt.
His heart fluttered once more when an Inquisition agent knocked on his door.
Cullen stood quickly. "Is she, erm, they here?"
"They approach the gates now, Commander."
"Thank you. Dismissed." Cullen hurried down from the battlements. By the time he reached the gates, Solas was already helping Myra off her horse. Fennec ran and flung herself to Myra, who caught her and swung her around. Myra pulled the child close, and Cullen saw nothing but love in the child and woman's eyes.
He smiled. "I take it you had safe travels?"
"As safe as they could be," Myra replied rather enigmatically. Probably so as to not worry Fennec any further. The child spent her time out of school and sword training doing little else than worry for Myra's safety. "You received my most recent letter, yes?"
"I did."
Cassandra and Sera were already putting the horses away. Solas stayed by Myra's side and observed the conversation.
Why doesn't he just leave? Cullen felt rather self-conscious around the apostate; there was something vaguely threatening in his gaze.
"Myra! Myra!" The child tugged on Myra's collar. "You have to watch Cullen and I sword fight!"
"With wooden swords, right?" Myra gave a pointed look at Cullen.
He crossed his arms. "Of course. She couldn't even lift a real one."
Myra held a hand up in mock surrender. "Forgive a mother's worry. Yes, child, I want to see you and the Commander sword fight." She looked at Cullen with a catty smirk that made his tongue tie. "Let us hope the Commander is not too rusty from sitting at his desk."
Cullen scoffed, but found he could say little else in response. He was distracted by the playful twinkle in her eyes when she teased him.
Solas murmured some words in elvish to Myra, and she murmured some in reply, before he left. Myra looked a bit crestfallen after the exchange, but she perked up quickly. "Let's see about that sword fight!"
Cullen awoke early Sunday morning after a fitful sleep. Groaning, he forced himself from the bed and peered out the window of his bedroom. Skyhold's occupants usually awoke early Sunday to attend the morning service, and as such, he could see the usual groggy morning bustle as people ate their breakfasts and gathered their loved ones before the service.
Sunday had grown to be Cullen's favorite day of the week. "I should hurry and get dressed. Cassandra's probably already eaten." That blasted Seeker always beat him out of bed.
Cullen did more than simply dress himself, however. He spent more time than usual on his hair, oiling it with scented oils, and even dabbing some on his neck. He had already shaved the day of Myra's return, not for any particular reason, of course, and decided to keep the stubble that had grown. It suited his features, anyways. When all was said and done, he brimmed with confidence for the day ahead.
Climbing down the steps to the battlements, he ran into Cassandra. She nearly passed him.
"Cullen, is that you?" Cassandra awed.
"It's me, alright," he said, giving a lop-sided smile.
"You look…"
"Yes?"
"…different."
She started to walk away, beckoning him to follow her to Fennec's bedroom.
"Good different?"
"Different different."
Cassandra stopped as they entered Fennec's room, sniffing hard. "Is that scented oil?"
"I certainly smell it."
Cullen heard Myra's voice but could not see her at first. "Where—?" he stopped short upon closer inspection of Fennec's room. "Oh, that's cute."
"Inquisitor, I never knew your hair was so long," Cassandra awed.
Fennec sat on the bed as Myra sat on the floor. With clumsy fingers, the child worked intently on braiding her foster mother's long, curly black locks.
"She insisted," Myra said in a tone none-too-happy.
"Stop moving!" Fennec cried.
"Yes, da'len, I heard you." Myra sighed. "I'll be staying in Skyhold today, so I figured, why not? I'd be a bad mother if I denied my child such simple pleasures. YEOWCH!" Myra pressed a hand to her scalp only to have Fennec smack it away. "Careful, child. Don't pull so hard."
Cullen chuckled at the two. "If only I could capture this moment."
"It pleases me that you cannot."
Cassandra laughed.
"Done!" Fennec called. She bundled the hair at the bottom with a rather colorful ribbon.
As Myra stood, Cullen awed at the sight. The shorter curls draped prettily around her face, framing her features: her bright hazel eyes, the tattoos on her face, her deep red lips… "Maker's breath…"
Cullen slapped a hand over his mouth quickly. Cassandra eyed him, a smirk emerging on her lips.
"I mean…it looks…"
"Yes? How does it look?" Myra spun around a bit, her braid twirling behind her. "It's different, wearing it down…feels heavier."
"I like it, Myra!" Fennec decided. "You have pretty hair, like mine! Remember?"
"Not quite as pretty as yours, my wild child," Myra kissed Fennec's forehead. Then, she looked pointedly at Cassandra and Cullen.
"It's…different," Cassandra decided. "It doesn't look…bad…Cullen?"
But Cullen was still in awe. She maintained eye contact with him for a bit, then looked away, flushing.
"It looks great!" Cullen said quickly. "It looks really great." He rubbed the back of his neck and fluffed up his coat with his other hand to try and hide the flush blooming across his face. He could feel Cassandra staring at him the entire time.
"Good, I won't have to undo Fennec's hard work, then." Myra smiled and looked to her child. "You did a very good job." She picked her up and kissed her cheek. Fennec grinned.
"Shall we head to service?" Myra asked.
"We shall. Lead the way, Inquisitor," Cassandra said.
Myra walked ahead of them, Fennec in her arms. The Seeker hung back with Cullen, speaking in fierce whispers.
"You are fond of her?" Cassandra whispered.
"That would be highly unprofessional."
"Professional? Forget about what is professional. You are fond of her, admit it."
"Seeker—!"
"You have to tell her. You have to tell her how you feel."
"I can't, I—"
They entered the gardens, then the long hall where the worship room was located. The pews had already been set and they found a spot near the back. Cassandra purposefully positioned them so Cullen sat next to Myra.
The Inquisitor smiled politely at him, but looked away quickly when they had to scoot closer together to fit the latecomers.
The beginning ceremonies started. Cullen noticed, due to his proximity, that Myra hummed along to the hymns. Her humming was as musical as when she spoke.
A different Sister spoke today, claiming Mother Giselle was spending the day attending to the infirmary. The service proved rather dull without the Mother speaking. Yawning, Cullen stretched out his arm on the back of the pews. Myra jolted upon feeling his arm on her back, but upon seeing it was only him, she settled a bit. Cullen gave a lopsided smile before returning his attention back to the droning sister. Fennec had already fallen asleep in Myra's lap, and for a moment, Cullen felt familial warmth wash over him.
The service couldn't have dragged out any longer, especially with Cullen's proximity to Myra. He spent half the service debating whether or not to return his arm around her after they stood for the second round of hymns, but Myra didn't jolt again when he finally decided to. In fact, she relaxed into him. Cullen's heart soared.
But when the Chantry service came to a close, it was time for them to go their separate ways. Cullen almost asked Myra if she wanted to watch him and Fennec sword fight again, but something stopped him.
"Thank you," Myra said, turning back to look at both Cassandra and Cullen as they left the worship room. "The service was dry, but I know how much it means to Fennec."
"You are most welcome," Cassandra said.
"We're always happy to have you," Cullen said, and he truly meant it.
Myra flushed. Cullen gave a lop-sided smile.
They all began to separate upon reaching Skyhold's foyer, only for Cullen to feel a tug on his coat. He looked back to see the Lady Inquisitor herself. His heart fluttered.
"For what it's worth," she said. "You smell nice."
She let go of him and left for Solas's study.
It took a full minute before Cullen could muster a reply, but by then, it was too late.
She was already gone.