Chapter length - 2,199

Jack's thoughts are in italics

Short Chapter, I know, sorry

Solas ran his glowing green hands over Jack's own bloodied hand. Most the blood had dried during the short trip between the trip from the tavern to Solas' house from Jack and Tevin's infrequent stops for bonding time.

"You chipped your knuckles in a couple places, but nothing's broken. You're lucky it's an easy fix. May I ask what started the fight?" Solas gave her a disapproving glance, but his lips twitched and his eyes flickered over to Tevin near the door.

Jack slightly inclined her head for his unasked question. "Just a guy who didn't understand the meaning of 'no' and didn't know when to shut his mouth. Couldn't take a hint."

Solas nodded and his mild mask slipped back on. "Well, your hand is completely healed. I would suggest no more fights for the night and to sleep the rest of the alcohol in your system off."

"We still have practice at dawn tomorrow." Tevin idly commented at the door, arms loosely crossed as he leaned against the wall. "And as Messere Solas has already said, your hand is healed, so no excuses."

Jack sent a scowl in his direction. "Who exactly do you think I am that I would skip training?"

As she rose from the chair she'd been sitting in, Tevin rolled his eyes and waved goodbye. "I'll see you in the morning. Thanks again Messere Solas."

"He's right." Jack smiled at Solas as Tevin slipped out into the night. "Thank you very much for healing my hand. You do good work, Solas."

"Let's not make a habit of it shall we."

She rolled her eyes. "It really was probably a one-time thing."

"I have a question, before you go."

"Hm? Yes?"

"I heard your conversation with Captain Tevin outside of the cottage earlier. Can I ask why you would give up your ability to have children for Captaincy where you were from?"

Jack's half smile fell for a second. She had honestly believed that neither of the elven men who had heard that conversation would ever want to speak on it again. Men tended to go squeamish whenever women's reproductive organs and their functions popped up in conversation unless they were the ones to bring up the subject. Usually in a derogatory manner.

"Alright. Well it wasn't really for captaincy. Kind of. Captaincy was a bonus; spite was the main reason. I resented that if I were to choose to have a child with someone I loved, those in charge would take my child and I would never see them again. It was kind of like my version of a passive aggressive middle finger to those in charge. If I couldn't keep my own child I wouldn't let them keep any child I bore."

"And now?"

"I don't regret it. I never thought I would have the chance to be free and I can't change the past. I won't let myself think about what might have been. What's done is done and all there is to do is move forward now."

"I see." Solas seemed to ponder her words.

"I'll see you tomorrow night for lessons, right?"

"Yes, I'll see you then. Goodnight Jack."

"Goodnight Solas."

As he shut the door, Jack let out a long sigh and trudged across the way to her cottage. After locking the door tightly behind her, she flopped face first onto her bed. Instantly, anxiety over her actions gripped her. She groaned into the sheets.

I could have handled that better probably. I don't regret that it happened per say, but I really shouldn't have punched him. This is going to create problems. Cullen won't be happy with a civilian breaking his soldier's nose, I'm sure.

Jack groaned again. "Why am I such a fuck up?"

There were three short knocks on the door.

I see Karma is right on time…

With one last groan, Jack pushed herself back onto her feet and tentatively looked out the curtained window at the front of the room. She was relieved (and nervous) to find the Commander himself looking wearily at her door. She hastily opened the door as he raised his hand to knock again.

"Commander." She greeted, opening the door for him to come inside. "I expect you have already heard about the incident at the tavern."

Cullen leveled a small glare at her before rubbing his forehead and letting out a long suffering sigh. He dropped into the reading chair near the door. "May I ask why you punched him, Lady Jack?"

Jack blinked. "Do my reasons matter? I have still committed a violent act against one of the Inquisition's soldiers. Are you not here to duel out a punishment for my actions?"

Cullen blinked back at her. "Normally I would, but on the way here, several different groups of people stopped me on my way over and gave their account of what they saw. Most have said that you only responded in violence after three attempts to turn him away, after which he called you and Captain Tevin vulgar names and placed his hands on your person. I've come to get your view of the incident, just as I will the soldier you punched. We try for equality and open-mindedness here; it would be unjust to do otherwise. Is what I've been told true?"

"Yes."

"Then I wouldn't worry. We'll call it a first offense." Cullen paused, then tried to hide a grin. "I hear you have a mean right hook; you broke that recruit's nose in three places. How's your hand?"

"Hurts like a bitch." Jack openly grinned at the Commander. "Solas does good work though."

"How's your training with Tevin going."

"He's a good teacher. I'm much better with bows and arrows than I am with daggers. Tevin manages to beat me into the dirt whenever we spar with daggers. I think he gets immense enjoyment out of it. I fear the day I start learning with swords."

Cullen looked surprised. "You aren't going to stick with bows and daggers?"

"I want to learn everything I can on how to defend myself. Why would I stop at just bows and daggers?"

"Fair point." Cullen sighed then got to his feet and cleared his throat. "Don't make a habit of punching people, please. Goodnight Lady Jack."

Jack smiled. "Goodnight Commander."

"Cullen please."

"Only if I'm just Jack."

"Jack then." Cullen nodded and took his leave.

Jack locked the door behind him then flopped back down on her bed. Despite (or maybe because of) the excitement of the day, she fell asleep rather quickly.

The Spirit of Learning was Jack's favorite part of the fade so far. Ever since she had met them, they had been nothing but kind, helpful, and patient with all of her questions. Learning was extremely knowledgeable and if Jack asked any 'weird' questions, they answered without judgement.

Then again, she didn't have much to compare them to. Desire demons and giant six eyed wolves seldom made anyone warm and bubbly inside. At least Learning was offering her information instead of slyly trying to weasel it out of her. Learning also hadn't tried to possess her upon their first meeting.

That did wonders for their relationship with Jack, honestly.

However, tonight, as Jack walked down the wooden pathway to the open area she met with Learning in, the spirit was not alone.

"Hello Jack." Learning greeted her. "This is the Spirit of Wisdom. I was telling her about you and she was curious about your existence. Would you mind if she sat in on today's lesson?"

Jack bowed slightly to the new spirit. "Not at all. It is nice to meet you, Wisdom."

"And the same to you. Learning has told me much about you. I have not met many humans who are not overly afraid of spirits and was interested."

"They've only said good things, I hope?"

"Yes. Learning has said that you are a very dedicated to her lessons and of that in the physical world. You are sure my presence at your lesson will not bother you?"

"Not at all. I would be honored." Jack smiled at the spirit and settled into her usual spot in front of Learning.

"Very well. What will you be teaching today, Learning?"

That night's lesson was on politics in Thedas. They started with more recent politics starting at the third Blight, rather than in Arlathan, then moved on to current politics including the civil war in Orlais and within the Chantry now that the Divine was dead.

It was interesting to learn more about the things that Jack had not seen in her studies back in the Barrier. For all her long hours devoted to this world, she only really knew a fraction of the world as her interactions with this world were confined to what the Wardens and Champions saw and learned in their adventures.

She'd never known Orlais was so convoluted.

Sometimes Jack would ask questions, which Learning would dutifully answer, but for the most part, she just listened and absorbed the information. Wisdom didn't say much during the lesson, just watched and observed their interactions.

All too soon, their lesson was over. However, as Jack got to her feet to exit the dream and wake herself up, the other two spirits stood with her.

"Thank you for today's lesson." Jack smiled at learning, then bowed slightly to Wisdom. "I am happy to have met you, Wisdom."

"Likewise. I too am happy to have found someone dedicated to learning. However, my being here was not solely to meet you. Learning had approached me to ask the wisdom in touching you. I have now seen that you are more open minded than the other humans that reside in Thedas and that there is great wisdom in blessing you with their gift. With your approval, not only they, but I too will bless you with wisdom and learning."

"Oh." Jack was honestly surprised and very flattered. "I will accept your gifts then, thank you. You both honor me with your faith in me."

The two spirits exchanged a smile then stepped forward and placed their index fingers to her forehead. Suddenly, Jack felt like her head had become two times bigger and her memory was more organized than it had previously been. She also felt like she could look more clearly at her actions and her surroundings.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome child. Now, I believe it is time for you to wake up."

Jack woke up, groaning at the gray dawn outside her window. Luckily, her head was not pounding from the drinking and excitement of the night before.

As she got up for her training, a shadow passed outside her window and she froze.

Tiptoeing to the window, Jack carefully peeled back the window. Three tired looking soldiers were standing outside her door. The one furthest to the front had a crushed nose and two blackened eyes.

Jack could feel a headache coming on.

"I don't understand why I'm doing this in the first place." The soldier whose nose she'd broken whined. "Why do I have to apologize to the bitch who broke my nose?"

The older looking soldier on his left scowled. "Maybe it's because you wouldn't leave her well alone, interrupted a conversation between her and Captain Tevin, a commanding officer I might add, and when she tried to let you go easy, you physically touched her and insulted both her and her friend. Maybe that's why."

Jack grinned and stifled her laughter as she carefully dropped the curtain back into place.

There was a huff then three heavy knocks landed on her door.

Waiting for a minute to pass, Jack opened the door with a surprised look on her face. "Hello, how can I help you?"

The older man nudged the soldier forward. "Recruit Carson has something to say to you, Lady Jack."

The recruit stumbled closer, his scowl still firmly planted on his face. "I am sorry for insulting you and Captain Tevin, Lady Jack. I apologize whole-heartedly."

He didn't, Jack could see it in his eyes, but she decided to at least accept his words superficially.

"Thank you, Recruit Carson, I appreciate the apology. I'm sorry for sucker punching you."

His eyes promised violence in the face of her cool acknowledgement but she couldn't say what she really wanted to say with the senior soldiers eyes on her.

Well, she could, but she'd rather not start any more trouble for Cullen by being deliberately obtuse.

The older soldier pulled the recruit back. "Thank you for taking time out of your day, Lady Jack. We'll leave you be now."

"Have a good day then." Jack smiled overly sweet at the men as they left.

As she shut the door, her smile dropped. Recruit Carson could potentially become a threat for her. She'd have to redouble her efforts with Tevin in training and start sleeping with a dagger under her pillow.

Learning to throw knives might help.

She'd talk to Tevin about this new development during their training session later. She'd ask him to teach her to throw knives during their dagger lessons after lunch. That would help, surely.

Late again, I am so so sorry :(

Everything gets so hectic around the holidays and everything kinda sucks right now. I have five different parties I have to go to in the next week so I won't be updating next week 12/27/16 because I won't be at my computer that day to update. I suck, I know, and I suck doubly for updating with a short chapter coupled with the fact of no update.

I'm recommending Dislocated Souls again because IT'S JUST THAT GOOD! READ IT

Also, as of this update, I only have so many prewrittten chapters left, so hopefully I'll churn out a couple more during the Christmas vacation. I really want to finish this story because I've got like 3 more floating around my head and the sooner I finish this one I can work on the others. I really don't want to abandon this fic, Jack is one of my many children but I know myself well enough that if I start another fic I'll put this one on the backburner

In summary: I suck

You know the drill :) Kudos, Comments, just love me in general pls

Thanks

-Jade