Chapter 5:

The next morning, Sylina was brought before Knight-Commander Greagoir and First Enchanter Irving and her side of the story was told. She cried and told them that if it hadn't been for Cullen, she didn't know what Pod would have done. Greagoir was hard and told her that she was accused of killing a templar. Irving bickered with him saying that it was not only in her own defense but in the defense of another templar. Sylina sat there quietly, listening to them argue. Eventually, it was decided that she could keep her life, but if she ever stepped out of line again that would be it. Sylina nodded and said she would always remain loyal to the Circle and the Chantry.

Over the next year, Sylina kept her head low and did whatever was told of her. She attended her lessons and practiced her spells. She stayed away from templars and they ignored her. She wasn't sure what had happened, but suddenly the eyes stopped watching her pass and she didn't have to worry about being alone.

Sylina couldn't deny to herself that she felt a certain warmth towards Cullen after what had happened. Whenever she saw him on duty or walking by she smiled warmly at him. He would blush slightly and smile back. They rarely talked, but, occasionally, when Cullen was on duty late in the afternoon in the library, Sylina would head there. By that time, most of the mages were in their rooms and apprentices were using the downtime to socialize. She would sit at one of the tables and pretend to read while she watched him.

As soon as Cullen would notice her, he would shuffle his feet and look nervous. This always amused Sylina greatly. It was nice to see that she had such an effect on him. Cullen would glance at her and she would smile widely. He would quickly look away but the corner of his lips always curved into a smile. And so this became a routine for them. And every night before she would go back to her dormitory Sylina would walk by Cullen and say, "Have a good evening, Ser." When she first did this Cullen stuttered and blushed. The next time and then on he would reply, "You as well, Miss."

Sylina was sitting in the library with Jowan. He was complaining about an assignment given to him by one of the senior enchanters and she was drifting off. She found herself daydreaming about Cullen lately. He was always a little nervous around her and she found that she liked to tease him in her mind. She would never have the guts to actually do many of the things they did in her mind, but she enjoyed imagining his reaction. She heard a cough behind her and turned. "First Enchanter." Sylina got up and Jowan did the same.

First Enchanter Irving chuckled, "Please, child, there is no need to be startled." He glanced at Jowan who made a quick excuse about leaving something in his room and scurried off. Irving shook his head after the younger man. "Well, now, what were you studying?" His eyes twinkled and Sylina had the impression he knew she had not been studying.

Sylina sank down onto the bench and Irving sat next to her, "I was...I was just daydreaming, First Enchanter." She couldn't lie to the First Enchanter. He had vouched for her when the incident had happened last year and since then she had met with him three times a week to work on her spells.

"Daydreaming, hm?" He chuckled again and Sylina blushed and looked at her hands, "Oh, don't worry, child, there is nothing wrong with a little daydreaming." He paused and looked at her, "Tell me, is the Tower not exciting enough for you?" He wore a small smile on his face when Sylina looked up at him.

"It's not that Ser, really. The Tower is my home. I am...I am fine here." She hesitated.

"But you would prefer a life where you may be able to use your abilities?" Irving patted Sylina on the back. "That is perfectly natural, child. Every mage goes through this, you are advancing and now perhaps you wish to experience more than this place can give you?" Sylina nodded. "When you are a harrowed mage, perhaps we can find you something to do outside the Tower." Irving smiled at her again and Sylina blushed.

"That would be...that would be amazing, Ser."

"Well then, I shall keep it in mind." He gave her a final pat and got up. Before he left he turned to Sylina. "You have come far child and I see a bright future ahead of you." Then he walked out of the library.

Over the next year Sylina's studies became grueling. She was preparing for her Harrowing and as the day drew nearer Sylina felt more alone. Jowan had all by disappeared, she rarely saw him and she thought it was because he was jealous that she was preparing for her Harrowing and he was not. Sylina didn't understand that, Jowan was older than her, yet her Harrowing would be before his. Not that she had time to think about these things. She was so worried about her Harrowing. No one would tell her what it entailed and she couldn't help thinking it would be horrific. So many apprentices failed their Harrowing and never returned. What if that ended up being her?

A week before her Harrowing, Sylina was in the library reading over casting blizzard spells, which were too powerful for her to cast as an apprentice, but with luck she could cast them during her Harrowing to protect herself. The evening bell rang which meant everyone should be in bed. Sylina groaned. She had a few more sections in the tome that she wanted to get through. She made a quick look around and continued reading. She would finish this tome before bed.

"Miss you should be in your dormitory." Sylina jumped and looked behind her. Cullen was standing there shifting his feet.

She couldn't help but smile at him, "Ok Ser Cullen, I just need to read one more section of this tome then I will go to bed." She turned back to the tome. She heard Cullen shift again his armor creaking.

"Miss I'm sorry, but if you were found out of bed this close to your Harrowing..." She glanced at him and he looked down at his feet.

Sylina sighed, "Fine." She closed the tome and rose to put it back on the shelf, Cullen's hand reached out and took the tome from her. She turned to him. "I am perfectly capable of putting the book back on the shelf Ser."

Cullen held the tome and blushed, "I...uh...I know Miss, I just..."

"Wanted to help?" Sylina grinned at him remembering the time in the library a few years ago. Cullen shifted his feet uncomfortable again.

"I thought, that, um, perhaps if you returned the book first thing in the morning...you might take it with you." Sylina's mouth dropped open. Books were never allowed to be taken by apprentices, she had gotten in trouble for that more times than she can count.

Sylina's hands reached out to take the tome back, but Cullen tightened his grip on it. Her brow furrowed. "But you just said..."

"I...would like..." He blushed looking at the ground and Sylina couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips, "I wish to walk you to your room Miss." He said hurriedly almost as if he would lose courage.

Sylina's smile turned into an amused grin. Why was this templar so adorable to her? "Of course Ser. I wouldn't want to be caught walking around alone after the evening bell after all." Cullen nodded and Sylina started walking away. She heard him following her and soon he was walking at her side. She smiled up at him. They walked in silence all the way back to her dormitory. Cullen held the tome tightly and occasionally cast her quick glances.

When they got to the door Sylina turned to him. She held her hands out to receive the tome. Cullen looked at her and she gasped at the emotions crossing his amber eyes. The one she noticed most was longing, but sadness and guilt were also there.

Taking a deep breath Sylina crossed the distance between them. She took the tome with her hands and reached up on her toes to kiss Cullen on the cheek. He froze and she pulled the tome away from him. Taking a step back she smiled at him, "Have a good evening, Ser." She whispered and turned to go into her room. When the door was closed Cullen stood rooted to the spot, then with a small smile he whispered, "You as well, Miss."