Finished with Dragon Age Inquisition! GOD. I just love Cullen even more. I will start another run through. Maybe try not to romance him... ;)
Here's number 2! Have also worked on Guardian for a bit! :D Will post that within the week!
I am also working on some art.
Ta-ta!
-C
PS I have posted this already on tumblr. I simply forgot to post it here... -_-;
Aryona stood by the other apprentices, looking anxiously at the doorway awaiting for her templar. Or rather the person who be keeping an eye at her while she continued to practice magic. She stepped on her toes, straining herself to look.
All of the sudden, a group of templars headed into the room. Surprised, Aryona fell forward, landing on her knees. The apprentices stifled their laughs. She looked up, catching the eye of the Knight-Commander. He stared at her, raising a brow at her.
Standing up as quickly as she could, she brushed off her skirt and tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ears. The laughter quickly subsided and the First Enchanter stepped forward.
"Today you will continue your education and control of your magical capabilities under the careful guidance of these templars. You will be their charges, and they will be your guardians against yourselves. Not only you will continue to learn how to harness your magic, but you will training to pass your harrowing. You are all on your way to becoming full-fledged mages, however with their watchful eyes, these servants of the Maker will make sure that you will not fall into temptation.
"You will all be assign to these templars. Please show them respect." He stepped back and the Knight-Commander stepped forward. He read off the names of all the apprentices. Aryona watched as some of her peers stepped next to the men and women of steel. When her named was called, she stepped forward with her eyes cast down. Another named was called and the Templar stepped forward.
She looked up and gazed at her guardian.
He woke up early, enjoying a nice stroll outside the tower. After watching the sunrise, he decided to explore the tower. He didn't know if the mages were stout Andrastians, but he figured that the Circle would have to house an altar, right?
After asking one of the night guardsmen about it, he was led to a small chapel in the middle of the tower. The tower was silent as most of its inhabitants were sleeping. He thought he was going to be the only one there. He was wrong. Kneeling in front of the small altar was a woman. Cullen immediately felt invasive, as he was intruding on her in the most private matter. He tried to quietly back away but accidentally knocked into one of the pews, causing a screeching sound.
The woman snapped up from her prayer and looked at the templar.
They both stared at each for a few moments. He knew she was no sister and she was wearing simple robes. Perhaps an apprentice mage? She doesn't look evil, he thought. The mage clutched her book to her chest, a slight blush covering her neck and cheeks. Cullen tried to say something but she tried to at the same time.
"I'm sorry I-"
"Maker! You spooked me."
Silence followed. A few seconds and the mage began to giggle. Cullen couldn't help, but to let out a sigh and smiled at her. The mage strolled down the aisle, smiling at the recruit. Stopping in front of the templar, the mage bowed her head.
"I have never seen you here before you. Are you one of the new recruits? Welcome to the Circle. Name's Aryona. Yours?" Besides being taken back from how open she was towards him, Cullen found her welcome refreshing, to say the least.
"Name's Cullen. A pleasure to meet you Aryona."
Aryona smiled at him and then bowed again. "Well, I should probably leave. I'm not allowed to be in the same room with you unless you are looking after me. I also shouldn't get in the way of your morning ritual. Excuse me." She moves past him, with her head down. Cullen was about to reply until another templar, Carroll strolled into the chapel, suddenly halting the young woman.
"What are you doing out of bed, apprentice? I told you, if I caught you out of bed again…" Aryona stood up straight, "I am simply doing my duty as ordained by the Maker. If you have a problem with me praying, go ahead and ask Him yourself."
Caroll shook his head, "If praying was all you did, how do you explain the incident with Jovan a couple of days ago?"
Cullen, who stood there watching the two of them go back and forth, finally stepped forward. "Carroll, this mage was with me." The mage turned to look at the templar, astonished. Cullen flicked his eyes over to his captain.
"What do you mean recruit?" Carroll challenged as he walked over to him.
"Sir, I… I was lost. She was on her way back to the quarters when I asked her to tell me where the chapel was. I'm sorry sir." Snorting, Carroll nods at Cullen and turned to look at Aryona, "Off with you mage. Good thing this templar understands his place. Do you know yours?" Aryona blushed and stared at the floor, "To serve, sir. To serve man, not rule him."
"Good to know. Now go." Aryona bowed and hastily ran out of the chapel. Carroll smirked at Cullen, "Here's your first lesson, recruit: don't defend any mages. It won't get you anywhere if you place yourself ahead of them." "Sir, I—-" Cullen stammered, but Carroll held up his hand. "You have yet to see. Just heed my words, alright?" Cullen nodded and Carroll placed his hand on the young man's shoulder, "Now pray for strength. See you in a few hours." Carroll strolled out of the room, leaving the perplexed templar looking after him. Sighing, Cullen cleared his thoughts, sat in a pew, and began to pray.
The two strolled down the hall, an uncomfortable silence feel between them. Aryona fumbled with her robe, picking at the hem of her sleeve. Cullen stared straight ahead, trying to figure out how to approach the situation that happened in the morning. After his heard his name and stepped forward, he looked to see who his charge would be.
Little did Cullen know, the Maker worked in mysterious ways.
Aryona wanted to apologize for getting him in trouble, hoping he had a good impression of her. She stopped right by the library. She turned to face him, unaware that he also turned to see her and spoke.
"I'm sorry…oh."
"Don't apologize."
Aryona smirked, "Ok, you first." Chuckling, Cullen looked down to stare into her eyes, "Sorry. I'm getting used to being a templar. And to this Circle. But I will say this, mages aren't as bad as the others said." For a spilt second shadow crossed in Aryona's eyes and she looked down. Confused, Cullen was about to ask her until she led him away from the crowd.
Standing in front of the window, Aryona stared at the Frostbacks out in the distance.
"Is that what most people think of mages? That we're monsters, demons, ready possess and destroy Men?" Aryona pressed her hand against the glass and Cullen was not ready to respond.
"As a kid, that's how we've always been treated, like birds whose wings were clipped so they couldn't fly away. I look at all of us and I don't see monsters. I see just…people. There's nothing different between you and I. I…"
She stops and turns to look at Cullen, "Look at me… I'm just rambling away." Cullen smiles gently at her, "It sounds like I am going to learn a lot from you. Now, I think we have to be going to the library for studying, correct?" Pouting, Aryona turned and walked ahead, "I suppose. If you're sticking with me, we can't get you in trouble too."