Let's Spar
I woke to the sound of my door closing. the dawn was creeping over the horizon, bleeding into my cabin. I looked towards the desk.
There was a large box and two letters. One of which was a folded up parchment. Opened the parchment first It was a note from Josie.
Apparently, this was a package from my great-aunt Lucille and that she has added her support to the inquisition. Good Josie is happy. It continued saying that she kept the letter from Liliana as per my great aunt's instructions.
I smiled and opened the letter.
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Dear Tara, my beloved grandniece:
I am happy to hear you have found a new place to settle in Honey.
I heard of your father's latest stunt, do not worry dear should anything happen, we will still be family.
As for your stepmother and siblings, I will see what I can do, the idea that he would forget the core of what it is to be a Trevelyan is an outrage.
But to happier things I have sent your Nameday gift; happy 30th darling. I hope it is not too early but I had no idea as to the speed of your couriers.
Please remember our core and use it well.
With Love
Lady Bann Lucille Trevelyan of Markham
P.S. What is with this Herald Business? I never took you for being hyper-religious.
I laughed at her postscript; I will have to write to explain sometime. I looked at the box. I was happy someone had remembered my Nameday.
Most of the time I had spent them in a bar nursing my gift to myself, Ale.
Usually, I am strong but when things like this come up, I just get weak; hard to put on the mask all the time.
I unwrapped the package, and what I saw. It was a beautiful sharp saber. The hand guard was polished and encrusted with silverite; it was orlesian in design, a briquet I think they called it. It reminded me of my mother's mask. Most likely was my aunt's intention when she commissioned the blade.
She included a new whetstone in the corner of the box and the sheath was black leather and with soft silver filigree. No one could doubt that my aunt had good taste in swords. She did earn her title in a tourney after all.
I looked back to the letter, She had told me to use it well. On the hilt of the saber was a soft inscription of our core; the family motto "Modest in Temper; Good in Deed".
It shall remind me every time I use it. I took my gift out of the box and twirled it.
It was well balanced, the smith should be commended. I sheathed the blade and set it onto my belt. I should go practice with it.
I put on my dark green training jerkin and black boots. I brushed off my dark leather pants and opened the door. Hector cawed from behind me. I looked back at him. "Don't worry Hector I'll be back why don't you go flirt with the ladies from Liliana's flock."
I smiled and closed the door it was calm this morning as I strode to Haven's gate. The sun was starting to peep over the horizon, everyone should be getting up soon. It wasn't till I opened the gate that I heard I would not be training alone this morning.
I walked out of Haven to the sound of the recruits training ringing in my ears. I looked at the training dummies trying to ignore Cullen's Lieutenant shouting orders to the trainees. I then noticed a familiar face by the training dummies.
It was Cullen.
He was bare chested wearing his fur over vest for warmth. The dark brown of his trousers only served to accentuate his legs as I started towards him and the training dummies.
They were made of padded iron now as I had promised Cassandra, and he was showing a new recruit some proper sword technique. The recruits hands were shaking like he had never held a blade before. I smiled, Leaning against the weapon rack beside the trainee's tents.
That's one of the things that made him different from most commanders, that I knew.
He was never above helping his men. I watched as he took the soldier's hands and corrected his grip. "Remember the sword is an extension of your arm It should always be held firmly. Now.." He turned to strike the dummy in front of him a few times with his own sword.
"See always swing away from the body and never..." he finally noticed me. He smiled and looked at his student. "And never loosen your grip or you will send it flying. Now I want you to practice those maneuvers until you get the motions I just showed you down."
He turned and strode towards me his sword being held over his shoulder, he looked so relaxed and confident. His dirty blonde waves glimmered in the early morning sun. That was the Cullen I remembered, the relaxed man who would talk to me every day from his window.
I smiled back at him, "Hmm, you are good with them. Maybe I should take lessons, " He walked towards the weapon rack beside me, "I would be happy to teach you sometime," he took a swig of water from the pitcher set beside it.
I grinned and walked to his side "So what did your Templar training involve? I am sure it's nothing like this."
"Well, there was weapon and combat training. Even without their abilities, Templars are among the best warriors in Thedas. Initiates must also memorize portions of the Chant of Light, study history, and improve their mental focus." He said. Hmm, mental focus huh?
"I guess you must have enjoyed it?", my eyes skimmed down the strong lines of his arms and chest. Yes, he must have really enjoyed training. I stretched keeping my eyes on him, He had not let himself go after leaving the Templars, like many do. He cleared his throat; his eyes never leaving my body as I finished stretching . "I wanted to learn everything. If I was giving my life to this, I would be the best Templar I could." He sheathed his sword His biceps were very… distracting.
"So you were a model student." I quipped. I took out my saber Twirling it a few times before slashing one of the dummies ahead of me.
He laughed; his smile could rival the maker in my eyes. "I wanted to be. I wasn't always successful. Watching a candle burn down while reciting the Chant of Transfigurations wasn't exactly the most exciting task. I will admit, my mind sometimes wandered." He walked behind me watching my stance. I slashed the Dummy a few more times with more flair than usual.
"Commander Rutherford's mind wandering to what I wonder?" I asked with a knowing grin. Flirting was definitely in my forte. I used one of my finishers on the dummy. The sword was not accommodating.
He Cleared his throat, "Why… do you ask?". His hand skimmed his hair to rub the back of his neck. I tried another one of my finishers, it was not working either. I will have to come up with some adjustments to my technique.
I smirked turning to look at him, "Anywhere your mind wanders must be a good place."I twirled my dagger and sheathing it to place it aside my new saber." So I was just curious." I kept watching him as he flushed, It's cute when he is nervous. He is a strong confident man and his lone weakness… Flirting.
"But that's not why I came down here. Do you want to spar? Never know maybe your trainees could learn something from the show." I turned and picked up a set of the dull training daggers, not sharp enough to kill or slice but just enough to bruise.
Tucking one of them into my belt I tossed him one of the short swords. "So what do you say, commander? A fight with the Raven after all these years?"
He caught the training sword and smiled, "How about just a fight with you?" He sat his true blade aside and slipped off his furs beside it.
He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. Every movement he made was strong and well controlled.
It suited him, as we strode into position, settling in the opening next to the training tents, stretching our legs and then bowed.
"I am sure you remember the rules?" he asked as we started to circle in the open space between the camp and Harrit's forge.
His trainees took notice and slowly started to gather along the sides. The lieutenant didn't stop them, since he was watching as well.
The only rule I wanted to remember was 3 points and you win. The rest were footnotes.
I grinned At him pulling out a small pouch "I think you are forgetting something commander, I break Rules."
I tossed the pouch, filled with one of my powders up into the air and it let out a bit of smoke and I vanished. I had to love the mage who taught me this invisibility enchantment.
His eyes were watching the ground to see where I stood. Smart, I had forgotten the snow. I ducked in close to Cullen and batted him on the forearm before he had a chance to move.
He may have strength but I had speed, Hard to hit what you cannot catch; or see for that matter.
"I hope you are keeping track commander," I said before dodging away as he swung at my position. I circled, I was not going to strike at his back. I may break rules but, I was not underhanded. He turned searching for me.
I had the first mark, now for two more.
I moved to his unguarded side, snow was flying in the air with our speed. I rushed once more trying to go for his side but he caught my extended arm with his free hand.
Dispelling the enchantment.
He pinned me against him. Even. I shouldn't have moved with the snow in the air. I need to remember that. I leaned into him.
"So Commander" I smiled twisting my leg behind his own "Why did you join the Order? You always seemed way too smart for them." I was about to use one of my favorite moves.
He Grinned releasing me before I could kick his leg out from under him. "I could think of no better calling than to protect those in need. I used to beg the Templars at our local Chantry to teach me"
I rolled to the edge, close to the growing crowd. I heard the voice of Varric taking bets of all things. The news seems to travel quickly in this small town. I parried his strike and rolled away.
"At first they merely humored me, but I must have shown promise." He rushed me once more, I had just enough time to parry; again, and slip to the side.
"Or at least a willingness to learn," he said re-positioning himself. I moved towards the training racks.
I say it was Promise, honestly, Cullen was going to be a challenge.
I tucked one of my daggers and picked up one of the training short swords. If my aunt gifted me with one of the things, I guess it's time to start getting familiar with one, even if I might fail. I moved back into the open ground to avoid any future pins.
He circled my position, slowly; like a Predator. "The Knight-Captain spoke to my parents on my behalf. They agreed to send me for training. I was thirteen when I left home." I watched him, and his relaxed pace. He was having just as much fun as I was. I could tell. I looked for an opening as I twirled the sword, getting a feel for it in my hand. It's longer and heavier than I am used to dealing with. I rushed him and our swords clashed.
"Thirteen – that's still so young." I batted him on the side with my dagger reminding him what he was working with. I was trying to distract him.
"I wasn't the youngest there. Some children are promised to the Order at infancy. Still, I didn't take on full responsibilities until I was eighteen. The Order sees you trained and educated first." He grabbed my right hand and twisted pushing me away. He hit me in the process; we were now even once again.
"What about your family Cullen – did you miss them?" I asked enjoying the rhythm of the fight and our conversation.
We charged both at the same time, our swords meeting in the middle. "Of course," he said pushing me away "but I think it's my turn to ask the questions."
"ooh am I getting too close commander?" moving back and to the side. He was strong and holding him back was becoming taxing.
I kept my breathing steady. Cannot show weakness, not even here. he shook his head watching me closely. the crowd was steadily becoming larger.
I smiled as I went into stealth once more. " Ask away, commander." I started to walk in the disturbed snow to cover my tracks.
There was so much tread now that it made a ring around the white field. I needed to throw him off balance. My eyes were following him, he was handsome when he took control.
Proud, like a lion, my aunt would adore him.
"Do you miss your family herald?" he asked searching for me. I knew he was trying to locate me since he could not see my movements.
I walked Quiet and steady, I was on the prowl. If he was a lion, I was a leopard.
Stealth was my shield.
"It depends on whom in my family honestly." I changed position. I could see The was crowd growing larger still.
Varric was raking in more bets than he could count. Even Iron Bull was watching now. I pounced, rushing forward and slid to trip Cullen at the knees. He caught himself in time before he hit the ground.
Unveiled. I asked "So Commander do Templars take vows? 'I swear to the Maker to watch all the mages' and that sort of thing?" I twirled my sword as I circled.
My aunt was right it did suit me. I looked down at Cullen, his back was as well developed as the front. I could have ended it right there, but I owed him some honor. It is a duel after all.
He lifted himself up and knocked me back.
The bets were leaning ever closer towards me. I better ask Varric for a cut after this.
"There's a vigil first. You're meant to be at peace during that time, but your life is about to change." He said as walked up to me, I tried to move but I was stuck and silenced. "When it's over, you give yourself to a life of service."
He walked ever closer, his body seemed to be brimming with energy and mine in stasis.
"That's when you're given a philter" the stood almost right next to me, I was entranced. "Your first draught of lyrium" unable to move he knocked my leg forward and caught me "and its power." He held his blade above my neck; the fight was over. The crowd dispersed Varric was collecting his winnings. Cullen had won and I didn't care. He set me back on my feet and proceeded to clean me off. He looked at me. There was something distant in his eyes.
"As Templars, we are not to seek wealth or… acknowledgment. Our lives belong to the Maker and the path we have chosen." He said to me. I looked back at him before turning. Finally able to move, I took his blade, and I walked over to the training racks.
"So it's a life of service and sacrifice." I placed the training weapons on the rack. I looked to him "Are Templars also expected to give up… physical temptations?" I was curious if we had broken the rules. I wanted to see if there was a chance for us, A chance for me to forgive and see where we could be.
His head snapped to look at me "Physical? Why…"He looked down and cleared his throat "Why would you …?" he paused remembering "That's not expected. Templars can marry. Although there are rules about it, and the Order must grant permission… Some may choose to give up more to prove their devotion, but it's, um, not required." His cheeks flushed and he rubbed his neck.
I then looked him in the eye as I walked towards him. "Have you?" I was hoping that we could have more than our tryst in Kirkwall.
I thought back to our last night.
I had been waiting for 30 minutes thinking he would never come.
I couldn't let him leave not knowing everything about me.
I was about to do what I always thought when I talked to him through his window when I slept with him all those nights.
I couldn't leave it like that.
It was just then I heard "Alright Raven, I came alone. Now, what do you want?" I smiled beneath my hood and mask.
He came.
"Did you want me here just so you could gloat?" I hooked my grappler to the side of the roof and eased myself down.
I did my best to look graceful as I came to land on the dirty stone streets. "No, just to talk, but if you want me to gloat I can do that too." His eyes watched me as I walked out of the shadows.
It was a dark and dank corner of Kirkwall, not the best of meeting places but I was certain he would not want to meet in public. I pressed the retract on my grappler. "Well, that explains the flight bit." He said.
"Yes, people always seem to jump to magic when they cannot explain something. Or the Maker. but I am no mage." I stood looking at him. He was so close. "But then considering recent events it should not shock you that they thought me one and asked the Templars to get involved."
I gestured with my finger for him to move closer.
"And for that I am sorry." He was in the moonlight now.
The wound Meredith gave him, a scar on his lip. "What I am not sorry for is having you be the one to chase me." He moved in and I cracked one of the few lyrium flares I had brought with me.
The magic the emanated from it glowed with a bluish hue. "What I want to know is who I have been chasing the last few years?" he said.
I smiled and took off my hood "Me silly."
He looked stunned for a moment like he had seen a ghost. "You?" he walked closer "You are the one who I chased all these years?"
I smiled and nodded at him "Yes, Cullen. It was me, Disappointed? his gaze heated had remained on me.
Something was different, I just couldn't put my finger on it as he shook his head, "I'm not disappointed. Just shocked that I had not caught you." In the dull blue glow, I saw him move close, I smiled at his small compliment in that statement.
"I just wanted to say… after all these years." twirled the flare " Um. I cannot seem to…" he stepped closer." Uh, I don't know what this is. Usually, I can find the words…" I said to him hoping he would understand.
His lips moved softly against me, It was light at first, questioning, chaste with no thought of more.
I dropped my flare, He pulled back like he wondered what had gotten into him. "It has been so long… since..." I pulled him towards me, kissing him for myself not caring if I had regrets. Running my hands over his back, If this was forgiveness, then I will happily take it. He knew all of me now, both Raven and Lark. "Don't..." I whispered wanting to ride out the high as He pressed me to the wall, arms warm around my waist, and the inhalation of his masculine scent. His lips covered mine, like a man starved of love, his knee raised between my legs and arm over my shoulder. I was trapped and I was his prey. The stones at my back, hard and unforgiving.
I placed my hand on his stubbled cheek, the chill of his pauldrons giving me goosebumps. I ran my fingers over his new scar, I wondered if it hurt like mine did. I sank deeper into him my hands tangled in his hair, the warm leather of his jerkin was smooth, and I could feel every movement. He pulled my hair, my lips tearing away from his. "What are you doing to me?" he asked, accusing me. I leaned back towards him, my hair taught against the wall, wanting him close once more, "It was Nothing you didn't want." released, his hand drifted to my shoulder, slowly traveling down to my waist. I pulled in close and kissed him slowly along his new scars. his hands quickly undid my over vest light rings in my ears as he pulled.
I shook my head back to the present, Cullen looked at me the sweat was gleaming off his chest from the exertion. "Me?" he stammered "I… um… no. I've taken no such vows." He wiped his brow and ran his hand through his hair, the sweat making his waves slick. I walked closer. "Maker's breath" he swore. "Can we speak of something else?" he glanced at me and I looked at him. I took out my handkerchief and started to wipe his brow. "Much as I like my men fresh after a battle I think our commander should clean up. We have a war table set for this afternoon. We need to discuss our plans for an alliance." I started to walk away, he grabbed my hand. I turned back to look at him "Do you ever think about. That night?" he asked me. "Of Course" I replied and left him there shimmering with the handkerchief in his hand.
I had a nice rest after our morning's exertions, I thought about the fight as I fed Hector. I loved the duel. Cullen had surprised me with his skill. I knew there was something I liked about him… for a Templar. That stun, I didn't even expect it. If I had noticed where he hit me in that last attack, the fight might have gone quite differently. I smiled thinking about it. If he had not become a Templar, he would have made a wonderful rogue. I continued to smile as I walked out of my cabin.
Cullen was waiting outside my door. Why is he here, Waiting? It didn't matter I needed to see him anyway. I knew I should tell him my plans alone. "Cullen" I glanced at him. "I plan on getting the mages to help us." He went into commander mode immediately.
"But I still think the Templars…" I cut him off
"Are not without merit." I turned "But the mages seem more open to the alliance"
"But there could be blood mages and abominations among them." he raised his voice thinking I disapproved.
"I may offer them alliance but I will not let them go without being monitored. We both know what happens with no supervision." I looked meaningful at him.
" Yes we do but, why alliance?" he implored. I knew he would rather remake the circle.
"Conscription just puts us back where we started and that is not an option." I started toward the chantry.
"Then we should train some of the men to spot magical corruption." He replied
"Yes, I am sure Vivienne will agree but, keep it to yourself and those you trust. We cannot have our future allies thinking we want to shove them in a circle and toss the key." I took a moment to pause I thought of the encounter with the Templars; I was never one to give up a chance at an asset. "Who was it that told us of the Templars location?"
"Ser Barris" he replied hopefully.
"Yes have him see if he can get anyone to leave. Something is not right about Lord Seeker Lucius. Even he should see that." We stood there outside the Chantry.
"Why me? Why not the ambassador?" he asked. I wished he didn't always put himself down.
"Because Cullen." I looked him in the eye. "You know exactly what Barris is going to have to do. And you know how hard that is."
He had that distant look once more. Where had his mind wandered?
"Yes, I see... I will see what I can do"
I smiled "Good, the most important thing is that we try. Oh and Cullen?" I looked back at him."When we meet with the others pretend we never had this conversation. I would hate for them to think I give you... preference." I gave one him of my roguish grins and entered the chantry.
