Chapter 5

Tempest made her way to the library hoping that the bustle of other mages and watching Templars would keep Ayden away. She had not seen him and felt herself relaxing. Lost in reading the time got away from her.

"Time to return to your chambers." She heard one of the Templars call out to the group.

Her head shot up. "Maker I should have been paying attention." Putting her book away she slowly headed to her room when her stomach rumbled. "Such great timing." Passing her room she looked around for Templars but was surprised to see her way clear.

The kitchen was empty Ayden had gone and she had not seen him anywhere. Opening the door to the larder she began looking around for cookies when she found a tin at the way top she couldn't reach. "Maker why would they keep it all the way up there." Grabbing a barrel she rolled over and climbed up on top of it. Reaching up her fingertips just touched the tin.

"Tempest what are you doing?" Cullen yelled startling her sending her tipping backwards.

Before she hit the ground Cullen reached out and caught her. But not before her finger had tipped the box of cookies and they fell into her lap as Cullen held on to her. "Oh look Cullen you saved the girl and the cookies." Opening the tin she put one in her mouth and held one up to Cullen's mouth.

He eyed her for a moment before finally opening his mouth. Grinning she placed the cookie in his mouth and he set her down grabbing the cookie. After finishing it up he watched her close the tin up. "Give me the tin I'll put it back up." He said.

Her eyebrow rose "Umm no. I think I'll keep the box." She said grinning playfully and placing the box behind her.

"Tempest." He growled softly.

With a mischievous grin she took off running. Heading to her room her thoughts regarding Ayden had gone as she laughed at Cullen's irritated glance. Placing the box next to her bed she takes one more out and puts it in her mouth. Laying down she grabbed her pillow and she began to think about Cullen's arms around her and the way he smelled. A spark ran up her back and she grinned. Then she rolled over holding the pillow tightly.

Maker, don't fall for a Templar. She grimaced remembering Solona's comment. Her eyes were drooping and her breathing lowered. Sleep was on its way when she felt something next to her and a hand over her moth.

"Well little mouse here we are again." Ayden whispered in her ear. Panicking she struggled against him only to have him shove something in her mouth. He pulled out a piece of rope and tied up her hands.

"Now there is no need to struggle." He whispered as he tied the rope.

Tempest panicked this was not going to happen. Using all her effort she slammed her head forward into Ayden's nose. He cried out jerking back using his momentum Tempest rolled over and sent him sprawling on the ground. Scrambling to get up she took off towards the door pulling the gag out of her mouth. "HELP!" she screamed just as Ayden grabbed her and slammed her up against the wall. "I told you not to struggle."

He slapped her hard and Tempest felt blood on her lip. "Let me go Ayden." She growled as he pushed her up against the wall. "I don't think so pretty girl."

"HELP SOMEONE!" She tried to scream only to have it muffled. Ayden put his hand over her mouth. Tempest bit down hard on his hand. Ayden yelled and stepped back Tempest tried to run when Ayden tripped her sending her to the ground. Pinning her to the ground he grabbed her robe pushing it up.

"Just relax Tempest." He growled when the door slammed open.

"GET OFF OF HER!" Tempest heard Cullen yell and she felt relieved. Ayden started to scramble when Cullen grabbed him by the neck slamming him to the ground. He was choking him so hard he began gasping. "Cullen set the mage down." Gregoir yelled as he arrived. Shackles were quickly put on him and he was led to solitary.

"Tempest?" Cullen asked and she looked up at him. "I thought Templars stay outside our door at night." She asked. "They usually do, but once a week they come together at night to get new instructions and new rotations. This was the night."

"Bastard." She grumbled standing with his help. She was surprised to see how worried he looked as he undid her ties. "This will never happen again, I swear it." Cullen said to her and she smiled and the groaned.

"Ohh, that still hurts." She touched her mouth and jaw.

"Do you need some ice?" he asked and she nodded.

He left her and returned a few moments later with ice wrapped in a towel.

"Thank you." She said placing the ice gently on her mouth.

Gregoir arrived and told Cullen to stand watch.

Tempest placed the bag to her mouth and as the excitement passed she was left alone with Cullen. She shuddered and tears formed. Remembering what happened and a sob stuck in her throat. Turning around she saw Cullen outside her room he looked down at her worried.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

Tears fell down her face and she walked up to him and placed her forehead on his chest. His hand raised up unsure for a moment but then finally it rested on the back of her head. "It will be all right Tempest I will protect you."

Hearing that made her wrap her arms around him and he was surprised but he finally did the same. They stood there for a few moments when she finally stepped back. "Thank you Cullen." Reaching up on her tip toes she kissed him quickly on the cheek and went to her bed hoping sleep would take her quickly.

Word had quickly gone through the tower bringing Solona and Jowan rushing up to her room. Cullen had been relieved and another Templar stood guard. "Mage Tempest is not to be disturbed." He growled and the two froze.

"We are her best friends!" they shouted angrily at him.

Tempest stood up and poked her head out "its okay."

The Templar growled and stepped out of the way. Solona rushed over to her and hugged her tightly. "Are you all right?" Solona asked checking her over. "I'm fine you two, I'm a scrapper don't worry about me." She grinned. "Let's go get something to eat."

The three of them walk down the hall talking when they see Irving. "Tempest come with me." He says and she leaves the two of them and follows him to his office.

He motions for her to sit down and leans against his desk. "I heard what happened to you and I have talked to Gregoir. We think it might benefit you to leave the tower for a bit."

She looked at him surprised. "There is a village just south of here that has been having strange occurrences you will go with two Templars to see what the trouble is. It should help give you time away from prying eyes and curious tongues."

"When will I be leaving?" she asks with excitement.

"Tomorrow morning, get a pack ready for travel." Irving said.

Tempest went to get her two friends and she told them about what Irving had said. They actually agreed and were happy about it. The change of environment would be good for her even if only for a little bit.

Tempest spent the rest of the day deciding what to bring with her. She wondered who the Templars would be to go with her. Silently she hoped Cullen would be one of them.

Her bag was packed and she sat by her bed. The rustling of Templar's armor made her turn her head. "Cullen?" she asked "I am here Tempest." He said softly.

Tempest relaxed and laid down into her bed feeling safe.

The following morning Tempest was up and ready to go. Bag in hand she made her way down the stairs stopping to say goodbye to Solona and Jowan. In the main hall her heart thundering it stopped when she saw Cullen with bag in hand. Next to him was Tannin who also had his bag in hand. "All right Tannin has the map. You will walk to the village." Gregoir said and then motioned for us to leave.

Tempest practically skipped out of the tower in her excitement. She got into the boat and waited for the Templars who seemed to be arguing over which way to go to get to the village. They ceased their argument on the boat and glared at each other. Tempest stuck her hand into the water and then gently flicked water at Cullen causing a startled reaction and a growl. "Tempest." Giggling she stuck her hand back in the water. Enjoying the feel of it as it slipped through her fingers she took in a breath. How long had it been since she breathed in such fresh air.

Straightening up her golden robes she waited for the Templars who finally passed her and began their journey. As they marched forward she dug in her pack and began eating a roll she had. It wasn't long before she spotted a small mink in the bushes. Tearing a piece of bread off, she tosses it to the animal and watches at it scurries away with its prize.

"Keep up Mage Tempest." Tannin yells.

"Don't yell at her." Cullen growls startling Tannin who says nothing. Tempest stifles a laugh as they make their way.

"So how long is it going to take to get to the village and what is it called anyway?" Tempest jogged up to the men. She looked back and forth between the two.

"It's called Herrin it's a three days walk there." Cullen finally said and she smiled at him and saw his lip flicker slightly. She moved in closer to him while they walked. Nothing was said as they traveled the long dirt road until they decided to camp. Tannin left to enter the woods to find a good spot when he returned a few moments later.

"Come on there is a stream down here and a place for shelter." He called out waiting for the two to reach him. They went in a short ways and he showed them the spot. Cullen said he would get fire wood leaving Tannin with Tempest.

She set her bed roll down and sat down on it and grabbed her pack and began hunting for food. "I heard you always eat." Tempest gave him a weird look. "Yes, I do." She grabbed cookie and chewed it slowly in front of him staring at him intently. He glared back at her.

"I'm watching you mage, you even think of doing something wrong I will smite you." He snarled and she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah yeah templar don't get your skirts all up in a knot." She waved him off which pissed him off.

He stomped over to her and grabbed her arm jerking her to her fee. "Maker you made me drop my cookie." She huffed trying to bend down to reach it.

"If you ever speak to me like that again mage I'll…"

"You'll what." Cullen growled angrily dropping the wood. "Get your hands off of her." He punched him in the chest sending Tannin flying back. Tempest watched tensely as Tannin got up but he did nothing much to her surprise he was afraid of Cullen.

"Are you all right?" he turned to her and she nodded.

"I'm fine Cullen thank you." She put her hand gently on his arm and returned to her bedroll

"Oh look it still in one piece." Grabbing the cookie she dusted it off and sniffed it quickly. Shrugging she took a bite and looked up to see Cullen smiling at her much to her surprise.