In Our Hearts

We had finally gained our first major ally to the Inquisition. Apparently, the rebel mages had no idea we were coming and subjugated themselves to a Tevinter Magister, Alexius. At first, we had reason to suspect him; we only had it confirmed by one of his protégés Dorian Pavus.
Alexius had used time magic to steal the mages from under us. Apparently, his master wanted him to get rid of me. He almost did by flinging Dorian and me into the future. It was nightmarish, red lyrium growing everywhere, even out of people's bodies. Not a pretty picture, we then learned of his plans to assassinate Empress Celene and cause chaos throughout Orlais.

We finally got back after fighting a distraught Alexius and the self-sacrifice of our friends and Lilianna. The Tevinter magister surrendered immediately as we reached the present. All was well until King Alistair showed up to crash the party. He was quite upset and banished the rebel mages from Ferelden. I had reminded Fiona that we did come for an alliance and our partnership was born.
My fellow advisors were not pleased. But what's done is done and the inquisition does not rescind a promise of support without cause.
I walked to Cullen's office to talk about the Templars. We will need them to at least help monitor the mages, not cage them.

I knocked on his door. No answer.

I slowly opened it to see him sleeping in his desk chair.
He was out of his formal armor with just his dark brown jerkin and slacks with his fur vest was draped over his chest.
One of his men must have covered him. I watched him as I slipped in and closed the door softly.
At first, he seemed peaceful but as I came closer to him I noticed the sweat on his brow and that he was muttering to himself.
I shook his shoulder "Commander?" he didn't wake.
"Cullen," I said loudly. He jumped awake and looked at me, "Cullen, it's just me". Breathing was still ragged, as he breathed deeply,"Tar... Herald, what are you doing here?" He said rubbing the back of his head trying to recompose himself.
He never had vivid dreams in Kirkwall, what happened since I last saw him like this? "I came to discuss the Templars but now I am a bit more concerned about you." I moved over to his bedside table to grab the rag that was laying there. Did he have these often?
"You shouldn't be. You have other…." I cut him off "I have time. Did you have a bad dream?" I always would have time for him, I handed him the rag for his brow.
"Yes but, I could use a distraction" While I could think of many things to distract him with, I knew what he wanted. "So how did the letter go commander?" I asked him Even though was still concerned by the dream.
"No good I have not gotten any reply from Barris or any other Templar for that matter." He said trying to shuffle his paperwork into some organized fashion.
I let out a breath, "What could have made them drop off the map like this?" I thought back to my brother even when his duties, kept him from home he always sent letters.
Cullen looked just was worried as I was. I needed to get some air, he could use it too, I think.
"Um Care to go for a walk?" I fingered my sword; He looked away from his paperwork to me. "It might help us take our minds off things," I said walking up to him. "I still have a lot of paperwork to complete. And.."
"And it can wait. We don't need our commander working himself to death." covering his hand on the desk. I met his eyes, hoping he would say yes.
He put down this latest letter "um alright. We can go for a walk." We proceeded out of his office and down the chantry hall in silence.
I kept wishing he would say something.
"So time travel?" he asked. We walked past Varric's tent. "Yeah, it was weird and none of it pleasant."
He nodded as we reached the gate
"We could have lost you," he said glancing at me as we made our way past the trainee's tents.
"I Know" I looked at my feet. I knew I was taking a risk with that meeting they had warned me quite a bit. We slowly drifted closer, "Why did you go then?"
"Cause the people need us to seal the breach." it was my duty, I was the only one with the solution, this blessing or whatever it was had been bestowed upon me. I owed it to thedas and its people to close it.
He watched as I pondered my mark, it eerie glow always got brighter near rifts, the breach the most. we rounded the corner from the trainee's tents. "The people do need us but we would not have had the chance without you."
I looked back at him, I remembered thinking, asking about where he was in that horrible future we saw. no one would tell me. If he was gone if he had fallen… I don't want to think about it. He must…he walked closer to me. "I don't know what we would do if you were gone…", was it we or himself, I smiled at the idea that maybe.
I had to take a chance. I kissed his cheek. "Thank you for trying with the Templars," I said Hoping he Still wanted me, after all of this time, not to hate me for being what I was. I tried to walk away, wishing I had the guts to just tell him that I still wanted him after all this time.
He caught my hand and pulled me back, catching me against his chest.
Where was the bashful man from a few minutes ago? He tilted my head up and his hot breath tickled my lips, just hovering, meeting me softly, slowly, toying with the scar on my lower lip. My belt fell away as we melded his hands traced the lines of my back, meeting my waist, slowly leading me back against the rough bark of a tree. It had been so long, I traced the lines of his neck and shoulders, wanting to be closer as I tilted my head allowing him to enter, entwined as we tried to forget, forget the reasons we shouldn't be doing this, the past pains, the loss. He pulled back, His amber eyes meeting mine, I wanted him still, it was true despite everything, I pulled him back kissing his scar, meeting his lips, moving down to nurse his neck wishing for more. working the soft leather laces keeping his shoulders from me, I groaned, He was hard against my hip. I heard the soft growl and the snapping of the hooks of my leather over vest, breaking in as my lips grazed the soft valleys of his shoulder, his smell, Leather, fur, sweat, so many new notes and yet still uniquely him. Our soft sighs of pleasure as his warm hands cupped my breasts through my jerkin, grazing the hard tips. I moaned with want, trying to remember why we shouldn't be doing this. His hand drifted below my trousers, "Maker, still no smalls Tara?" I gasped as he started rolling his finger over me, "You know me Cullen, no wedgies in my line of work," he chucked before covering my lips, toying with me, taking in every moan and gasp. I wanted more as we heard the patrol coming, we broke away,brushing ourselves off as I put my outerwear back on. His cheeks were flushed like mine, was it heat or embarrassment? I felt awkward, for just standing there as the soldiers passed.
"Well, I um... Yes, I better go and rest, ...for our assault on the breach." I didn't even look behind me to see if he followed. I walked quickly back to my cabin not sure of what just happened. it was so fast feverish even and yet why did I do it? soon I will close the breach and it will be over. Would he still want me then? when I am no longer needed here? Why would he even want me a Criminal and a piss poor noble? Soon to just be a Criminal, if my father had his way.
When there was nothing I could offer a honorable man like him.

I should just forget that ever happened because He deserves better.

...
Exhausted still and now frustrated as I watched her rush back to town.
She seemed almost as embarrassed as I was.
Why can I not just tell her that I still wanted her? I feel like Fool whenever she starts flirting with me. My words get tied up every time I look into those soft green-blue eyes of hers. Even in our duel, she was toying with me at every moment. She moves with such grace and finesse, that it's hard for me not to watch her.
I walked towards the training camp. Since I was here, I might as well check in with Rylen. if only to distract me from the nightmare. I was at the circle again. trapped and... No, don't think about it.
The dreams are getting worse and I knew it, But she woke me.
How long had she watched?
I can only hope she can seal the breach and then maybe I could tell her.


We had sealed the breach it was now calm. The townsfolk were already partying about the town. Felissa had declared free drinks in the tavern and I was just sitting here watching it all. My hand was still in pain after the endeavor. It always hurt after I sealed a rift, but it had never lasted this long.
Still, something was not right, took out my throwing daggers and checked its edge. After ensuring it was still sharp I started twirling it. It was always good to practice re-positioning your blades, But it was more of a nervous habit than real practice.
I was about to go join the others. I stood up, soft footsteps echoed behind me, could it be Cullen? I glanced to see Cassandra walking up to meet me, "Solas confirms the heavens are scarred but calm. The breach is sealed"
"That's good." will I still be needed after this? the main threat was gone, will he need me?
"We have reports of lingering rifts and many questions remain, but this was a victory. Word of your heroism has spread." good notoriety if my friends didn't know where I was they will know now.
"You know how many were involved, it was just luck and…" I held up my hand, the eerie glow still emanating from it, "this that put me at the center."
"A strange Kind of luck. I am not sure if we need more or less But you're right this was a victory of alliance. One of the few in recent memory. With the breach closed that alliance will need a new focus." Cassandra had started watching the celebration below with me, will this new focus of ours include me or was I free to go? I had no time to ask as we heard the echoing crashes of armor through the valley; the warning bell rang out.
I heard Cullen yelling, rallying his men, "Forces Approaching! To Arms!"
The townsfolk stood trapped by fear, maybe I was still needed after all, "What the…" she drew her sword, "We must get to the gates." Cassandra started off with not a thought. the soft laughter from Dorian came up from behind me "There is Never a dull moment for you southerners is there?" he asked.
"That is an understatement, Dorian. I just hope we have more refreshments cause it looks like we have company." he laughed harder as we jumped down next to Varric's small camp, "I knew it was too easy," Varric was already prepping Bianca,
A few loud crashes and Sera and Iron Bull soon joined us from the bar. Thankfully they still had their weapons and their heads.
Sera looked at me "this isn't good and it was never good!"
"Well could be worse… " she stopped me "don' say it."
"You can at least hit this one." I smiled, hoping to keep morale high, but she was right, this is not good.
Ironbull rushed towards the gates, "So celebratory drinks are on hold?"
Good, if we make it, I am going to need a drink.
I made it to Haven's gate; the lone entrance unless they climbed the walls. Cassandra nodded, looking just as worried as Cullen was, "Cullen?"
"One Watch Guard Reporting a massive force the bulk of which is over the mountain", he looked even more strained than he was this afternoon as he looked at us.
Josie came up from behind "Under What banner?"
"None," he said
"None?!" Josie was Aghast and shocked. no chance to smooth this all over then? wonderful, we are not ready for this, not at all.
I was about to ask what the plan was, I had never done a full siege like this and I never wanted to... a loud bang and crash from Skirmish sounded from outside the gates.
"I can't come in unless you open." A soft worried male voice cried from behind the door.
I pushed open the gate to see a pile of bodies circled around a young man, stood up after he had quickly dispatched his last pursuer; I hope.
He had a large cloth brimmed hat capped with iron and leather straps held up both ends so he could see out of the large brim. His Clothes though Tattered were well kept, a simple cotton shirt with some batting on his right shoulder and leather pants that were well fitting but unbuckled at the bottom to show simple footwear. His calm pale face looked like he needed a few days rest.
His soft eyes met mine as he closed in on me,"I'm Cole. I came to Warn you. To Help. People are coming to hurt you. But you probably already know." He said oddly.
"What is this? What is going on?" I asked trying to get some sense out of him.
Cole leaned in close, I smelled nothing even though he was dripping with sweat, "The Templars Come to kill you."
Cullen stepped in between us and Cole backed off as if shocked by something. "The Templars! Is this the Order's response to our alliance with the mages?! Attacking Blindly!"
"The red templars went to the Elder One" Cole said looking at Cullen.
Cole turned back to me, "You know him?" he stepped closer " He knows you, you took his mages," he pointed to the mountain side.
I pulled out my Scope and directed it to where he was pointing. This did not look good. A huge contingent of templars was coming for us, most were glowing with a red aura. an aura I was all too familiar with. This is not good, Red Lyrium was growing out of some like boils. Just like that horrid future Dorian and I saw.
I moved looked to the hill where I saw two figures standing alone. The first one I recognized, It was Sampson, and The years did not treat him well. His armor had the same red hue as his forces. I had never seen anything like this… Elder One before though. He was tall well over 6 feet, Red crystals were growing out of every orifice of his body. What once was a man I assumed was now a monster. I passed my scope to Cullen as Cassandra checked our defenses, "it's Sampson, Cullen. But This elder one, I don't know what he is." Cullen muttered something but I never got the chance to hear what it was.
"He is Very Angry that you took his mages," Cole was looking towards the elder one. I just hope Cullen as a plan, cause right now I don't.
"Cullen, Give me a Plan. Anything," I asked taking back my scope, please have a plan.
Cullen was thinking on his feet, "Haven is no Fortress if we are to withstand this… Monster. We must control the Battle." his eyes met mine, filled with worry, "Get out there and Hit that Force. Use everything you can"
Cullen, Turning to our troops "Mages, Men, You have sanction to engage them. That is Sampson and He will not make it easy," his blade drawn and pointed at the oncoming sea of red " Inquisition, With the Herald. For your Lives. For All of Us."

Blackwall ran up to us as the men surrounded me awaiting my orders. "Why do I think assaulting the sky drew some attention," He said.
"Blackwall that is the understatement of the age," I Chuffed.
Remembering our new trebuchets, I looked to the men, I finally had an idea.
"Alright, Men we are going to fire at the mountain. we need to block out the valley and make a choke point."
I pointed to the first contingent "I want you guys to get to the south Trebuchet, have it ready on the double."
I moved to the second contingent "Cover the north road I don't want any rude surprises as we get these trebuchets ready."
That left the last group with me "And you lot Come with me we are going to get this Trebuchet ready." We split up in all directions, I only hoped this avalanche plan will work, cause if not we are screwed. The red templars Kept coming, blood spilled on pure white snow, there were endless. there was no sign from the south as the first trebuchet was in place, what was taking them so long? "Team we Have to get the south trebuchet ready. Men stay on your guard and wait to fire till you see the flare."
The south was going to be harder than I thought as I saw the men on the ground overrun by the red templars. Varric yelled "we got to take them out" as we rushed in, Sera taking out as many templars as she could. Bull taking out one of the bruisers with his ax as Dorian's fireballs flew through the air. Blackwall kept me safe as I slowly cranked the siege into position.
"Sera Fire the Flare!" I yelled as I launched the first volley into the mountainside, thankfully we both hit the mountain at the same time. The loud crash snow came rushing down on any templars that were in the valley.
At first, There was hope and Then I saw.
Maker, It's a fucking dragon, "Everyone Get Back Now" I yelled pulling Bull by the arm. This is not a fight worth having, Not Like this. The creature's fire blew the siege to bits. Not Just any dragon It looked like an Arch Demon.
" No No No, shite, damn, piss, no." Sera was saying to herself and she was not the only one swearing.
I looked at Cassandra, We knew that staying outside of haven at this point was hopeless. We came to the forge and Blackwall broke off to assist Harrit in getting his gear.
We continued running as he broke the door down if I lived Blackwall was getting a drink on me, The Dragon fire was falling all around the village.
Haven Was Burning.
Cullen ushered all of us all in, "Move it." He motioned for the guards to Bar the gate, "Everyone to get to the chantry it's the only thing that might hold against that beast." his concern as looked at me, told me everything, "At this point make them work for it." It was then we heard Lysette, one of the few templars who had joined us; Thankfully. "They are Coming over the wall" she shouted and drew her blade. As much as I love fighting, I was not keen on unnecessary self-sacrifice. I told Lilianna as such when she was going to kill a traitor, yes, but an asset for us if we caught and used him. We jumped in and fought off the templars; for now.
" Lysette, I want you to take a few men and go get Seggrit, that's an order." She quickly saluted me and ran off towards Seggrit's house. " Rest of us split up" I turned to Iron Bull and his crew. "Iron Bull take the Chargers and protect the chantry until we all arrive."
"on it, Boss," he said turning to his men.
"Varric, Go check on Adan" Dorian then Chimed in "I'll Help you then." He followed Varric.
Cassandra ran to catch up with Cullen that just left Sera and me to check the tavern.
But first.
"Sera I have to get some things from my house." I ran to my cabin as fast as I could. Opening the door I grabbed my supplies and my letters.
Thankfully I kept the habit of always being prepared to run.
I Rushed over to Hector's cage in the corner And let him out. "Hector go find Lilianna, She will keep you safe." He flew off into the night over the flames of the burning village.
I turned back to Sera. "Alright, let's go, time to play hero." She snickered for a moment as we ran towards the Bar. We heard Shouting, it was Felissa.
Sera said as we looked for a way in, "Sounds like someone is in there. " We jumped into one of the windows that was not covered in flames. Felissa had gotten trapped by some debris.
I saw blood.
Sera and I had started moving the debris as fast as we could before more came down.
"Felissa, I hope I still get my free drink after all this is done" I grunted she laughed weakly. We finally got the debris off, the blood was coming from a nasty gash on her leg. "Sera, did you bring any Potions"
"Frig, Wha' you think I have that for. We were just drinkin'. An' Boom." she waved her arms "I was happy just ta have my bow before shite came down."
I nodded. I took some of Felissa's skirt " First of all I am sorry for this" I said to her. I took my dagger out and ripped a long Strip off the bottom of her overskirt.
I quickly tied it tightly around her thigh. "Alright Sera, help me get her up," knocking down one of the weaker doors, We slowly carried felissa out of the bar.
Only to hear the roof collapse behind us.
"Frig, Tha' was close," Sera said as we saw Dorian and Varric come up running behind us.
"Sorry, but we brought company," Dorian cried.
There were Adan and Maneive running as fast as they could from a large being made of red lyrium.
"And you didn't kill it why?" I shouted at him as we carried felissa as fast as we could.
Varric snorted " He ran out of lyrium Potions."
"And here I thought you were perfect Dorian." I said trying to laugh; I loved our jabs at each other.
I must talk with him more after this; if I live.
"Tara, You wound me," we needed to get to the chantry were bull and his Chargers were guarding the entrance.
The Being almost caught up with us if not for Krem taking out its legs.
"Dorian remind me to send Krem a bonus," I said as I dodged one of the addled templar's blades.
Everyone was Rushed inside the chantry.
Chancellor Roderick was at the door to greet us, he was grabbing his abdomen and his white and red robes were stained with blood. "Everyone get in," he took a deep breath "The chantry is your shelter."
Iron bull and the Chargers fell back into the chantry as we closed the gates. Solas was helping Mother Giselle, and Bull's medic to tend to the wounded. Vivienne and Fiona were taking charge of the mages in the corner; I couldn't tell who was winning the war for command. Blackwall and Cassandra were getting the soldiers to check all the exits. I was relieved when one of the guards took Felissa from Sera and myself.
a small grunt of pain came from behind me as I looked to see Roderick starting to collapse. Cole caught him and slowly got him to place sit down, "He tried to stop a templar. he's going to die," Cole said plainly.
"What a charming boy," Rodrick was Strained, Cole was right, He did not look good.
Cullen was behind me. I was relieved He had made it through the horde, but things were not going well for us.
"Herald, our position is not good that dragon stole back anytime you might have earned us," he said what was on both of our minds.
Cole was kneeling next to the chancellor, "I've seen an archdemon. I was in the fade but It looked like that,"
Cullen just shook his head in frustration "I don't care what it looks like. It's cut a path for that army. They'll Kill everyone in Haven."
Cole's voice was still flat, "The elder one doesn't care about the village he only wants the herald"
I kneeled to meet Cole's eyes, " Then how do I stop him?"
"It won't be easy he has a dragon," he was shaking his head.
"Herald there are no tactics to make this survivable. The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche. we could turn the remaining trebuchet cause one last slide." Cullen's plan was suicide, "But Cullen, we are over run to hit the enemy we would have to bury Haven," I said standing up, I knew what he was suggesting, I just didn't want to hear it.
Cullen moved close with pain in his eyes. "We're Dying, but we can decide how. Many don't get that choice."

Roderick looked at us and then towards the war room, Cole looked at him intently with some understanding slowly crossing his features. "Yes, that. Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies."
Roderick struggled to speak "there is a path you wouldn't know it unless you made the summer pilgrimage, as I have. The people can escape. She must have shown me. Andraste must have shown me so I could... tell you." He coughed.
"What are you on about, Roderick?" I asked him, he had a plan? he wanted to help, I saw this dying man in a new light as he struggled to stand, " It was wim that I walked the path, I did not mean to start it was overgrown but now with so many in the conclave dead. To be the only one that remembers. ." he coughed " I don't know if this simple memory can save us. This could be more than mere accident. You could be more."
His eyes met mine, he was putting his faith in me. I understood I will not fail, a dying man deserves his last wish.
"What about it Cullen will it work?" I looked at him, taking everything in every last feature of the one man... the one man I have ever wanted.
"Possibly, if he shows us the path." I stood as he said it, good. He tried to look at me as I contemplated my fate, "What of your escape?"
I wish he hadn't asked, I couldn't bear look at him.
We both knew what I was going to have to do, the elder one wanted me and only me. I had to be the bait.
"Perhaps you will surprise it. Find a way," I memorized the tones of his voice as he hoped I would live.
I was silent, it was futile for me to hope. We had to resign ourselves. I can only hope they escape.
He turned to his forces and Cole moved to pick Rodrick up, "Inquisition follow Chancellor through the chantry. Move!"
Cole started to carry Roderick to the passage, "Herald" I looked at Rodrick "If you are meant for this if the inquisition is meant for this, I'll pray for you." He panted painfully. I nodded and let Cole carry him, the most faithful man away.

I couldn't Let more people Die. if this elder one wants this, wants me.
I'll let him have me,
On my terms.
I opened the Doors between me and the monsters.
I was going to miss Haven.
I had gotten used to this quiet cold town and our people, My people.
So many have sacrificed themselves this night.
If by some miracle, that I live through this, the elder one will pay!


I awoke to an icy cavern, I could see my breath and the icicles were long and heavy.
There was what looked like an old passage ahead of me. I was... alive, for now. My only choice was to move forward.
I set off one of my Lyrium flares and continued forward into the cold cavern.
thoughts rushed through about how I ended up here...

Fire, the fire just suddenly flooded in around me as I finished reading the trebuchet.
The Beast had landed and behind me strode its master, Appearing through the flames.
I couldn't make any sense of anything this elder one was telling me.
Stopping his plan to rise to godhood and he kept calling my mark the anchor.
I told him I was not afraid and I would tell him nothing. He didn't care, as he tried to take the anchor from my hand.
This crazed lunatic; This elder One; Corypheus, threw me against the armed trebuchet.
I smiled, proud that I had spited him, ruining the his mark with my work.
He had failed and he was going to kill me, I knew it.

I just had to keep him talking.

Keep him talking until the flare fired.

Let the blade pass through the flesh,

I started making my last prayers to the maker, hoping he would hear me even if we were never close.

For I was going to end it all.

Let my blood touch the ground,

And then I saw it.

The light just over the mountains, everyone was safe.

He was Safe.

Let my cries touch their hearts.

I ended the charade as I met the magister's eyes.

It's finally over...

Let mine be the last sacrifice.

I smiled at the man turned monster, "Your arrogance blinds you. Good to know. If I am dying it's not today."
And I fired, at the mountaintop over haven.
It was futile, the dragon just flew off taking the beast with it. I tried to outrun from the oncoming rush of snow. Once the debris hit as if by some fate it knocked me into a crevasse.

This cave. Had the maker heard me? I guess I will never know. I moved forward, slowly.

The path was long and narrow, I was starting to feel the cold damp bleeding into my clothes.
I was relieved to see an exit when two demons sprouted up in front of me with no rift in sight.
I was about to fight them when suddenly my hand started glowing fervently and created a mini-rift right in front of me. It sucked the demons in and back into the fade.
I thought close and it closed. I thought open and another one appeared... Great, more weird shit.
Varric is going to love this one. I closed the rift I had created as my palm tingled with pain.

Outside the cave was a wide expanse of snow everywhere I could see. The winds were blowing it all around making it hard for me to see anywhere but beyond a few feet.
I started to shiver and shake, snow getting into my eyes as it fell. The wolves were howling in the distance; they were haunting.
There was no choice.
I had to move forward.
To keep going.
Tell them of this Corypheus and everything he told me.

I had to find… Cullen.

I stepped out into the snow.
I had been walking for what seems like forever now, only ever seeing evidence of campfires.
Chilled to my bones, I don't think I can go on any further.
Stiff, I covered my mouth with my hands trying to warm them, warm myself, My lips Burned. Shivering, I reached a narrow crevasse.
So Cold, I don't even know if I can walk any further.
I Can't...
Maker Please...
That's when I heard the shouting and I had been saved.
"There it's her."
It was his voice.
"Thank the maker," it was Cassandra.
I fell to my knees.
not caring because I was safe, in his arms.
It started to fade, his warm voice telling me to hold on.

...

She's Alive.

I ran to her falling body to hold her. "Tara, Hold on," She looked at me and just smiled softly smiled as her eyes closed. Her body was as cold as ice as I lifted her up, She sighed through her blue lips and shivered in my arms. I kept her close as I covered her with my fur cloak, She needed it more than I ever did. I started to carry her back to camp knowing I needed to tell her. I wanted to tell her but first, we need to find a place. I just hoped she will live long enough for me to tell her. As I carried her back to camp All I could think of was that she couldn't die yet. We needed her, I needed to tell her. I thought of when we first met, all those years ago in Kirkwall.


It was going to be a long day today. The news of the latest Criminal in Kirkwall was getting around. The nobles were not happy with a possible magic thief running around the city. Meredith had tasked me with their case, concerned that it could be an apostate behind it all. Anything for the Order. if it was a mage, then they needed to be brought in and placed in the circle. uncontrolled magic was dangerous, my time in Ferelden taught me that.
I got up from my bunk to my wash basin. I prepared my face to shave. This Raven was a total mystery to us. The only descriptions we had received were of a dark figure that flew and went unseen. only evidence we had of the crimes were the missing artifacts and small notes left behind. soft humming from outside broke me from my thoughts. That was new, much had not changed about my mornings since I had first arrived here. I looked out my window to see a woman at a grindstone with some scrap metal. She was a vision, with long dark hair and pale skin, dressed in a simple cotton shirt and leather trousers, I knocked over the empty pitcher from the wash stand. She looked up quickly, seeking the source of the sound, and her light emerald eyes met mine. "Well, Hello," she sighed, relaxed like it was only me. her features were soft with a small scar on the left corner of her lower lip. I wiped off my face, "sorry about that."
"it's no problem," she lifted the small blade she was working on, "You must be my neighbor," she twirled it, "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Tara." She threw the knife she had made into a small target made from scrap wood. It landed dead center.
"Cullen." I smiled most people are too scared to talk to us but, She is definitely did not seem scared of templars. "You know not many people want to live next to the templar barracks."
She smiled , "Oh? Don't know why," She looked down my body, her eyes taking me in, "I find the view from here quite nice." she pulled a new piece of scrap out of her pile pre-formed blanks, checking the balance of the metal before she started working it into a blade.
I watched her as she continued to work the metal, "Most don't like the idea that we deal with the rogue mages here, " her deft fingers were rolling the form across the stone, sharpening it.
She laughed as though the thought of a rogue mage was ludicrous, "Ah, Well, Don't worry. I have confidence that you templars could keep any abominations in check," she kept her soft eyes to the blade.
"So I have not seen your face before around here. Are you new to Kirkwall?" I put my shirt on hoping to learn more of my new neighbor, could never be too careful. Not in a place like Kirkwall.
She took her eyes away from her work, "Yes and No, new to living here but I visited when I was younger," She smirked "I enjoyed the people." she was glib as she threw her latest knife into the target.
"Not many do." I grabbed my Belt, her blade had landed dead center once more.
"I have to ask, is this an interrogation sir?" She got up from the stand and dusted herself off.
"No, not unless you want it to be." She was skilled and good at forming blades, though the blade was made a little too quick. Was her grindstone enchanted? Was I enchanted?
I watched her dark brown tied hair swaying the breeze as she pulled the knives out of the target.
"So what Do you do that requires so many throwing knives that you must make them yourself?" I asked.
She was new and skilled.
The Raven was new and skilled.
It could be her.
She smiled at me as she placed the new blades on the table behind her," If you must know Knight-Captain."
How did she know I was knight-captain? I had only just been promoted last week.
"I'm a Mercenary, and smithing and fabricating is a hobby of mine, never know when you will need a good knife," she said as though answering my thoughts,"Maybe I will see you around?" She asked shifting her curved figure to place a hand on her hip.
I need to keep an eye on her, "I don't know, do you work Kirkwall often?"
she set the blades on the table, "I work where I am needed." her tone darkened, "And Kirkwall needs Us the most." she turned to me her hand still on her hip, "So yes."
She fingered her lower lip, "But I guess I will have to make it a point to work out here more often," She smiled softly her eyes meeting mine, I slipped on my training gear her eyes watching my every move, "And why is that?" She leaned on the banister, " I'd Hate to think you cannot keep an eye on me," She smiled, " Cullen."


Her body was still as I carried her into camp.

Whispering to her the entire way to hold on just a little longer.

I Hoped we were not too late, when I handed her over to Mother Giselle and the healers.
I needed to tell her.
I needed her to live.
"Commander," Mother Giselle Took me from my thoughts, "We need someone to lay next to her to warm her up."
I volunteered.