"Sometimes human places, create inhuman monsters."

-Stephen King 'The Shining'

9:29 Dragon

"Da, I'm bored."

Nani laid herself across Redd's desk in his small secluded room. They were in the Templars quarters; Redd learned years ago to stop asking how his daughters always managed to get in. No matter what Greagoir did to prevent them.

Redd looked up from his papers, rubbing his tired eyes, "Then go do something…"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I just can't."

Redd sighed, then quickly looked around, "Where is Eshne?" A small panic set in, he knew he was in charge of watching her while Ser Cullen was charged with taking phylacteries to Denerim.

Eshne popped her head up, having been engrossed in a book, "Present."

"What are you reading?" Nani perked up.

"Yes, what are you reading?" Redd inquired, raising his brow.

Eshne pulled the book away from Nani, "I found it."

"Where?" Redd asked.

Eshne mumbled something, holding the book close to her like a child who had done wrong. Redd furrowed his brows.

"Eshne Sylvia Surana…"

"I found it in Greagoir's office." She finally answered.

"It's supposed to be locked." Redd said.

"I picked it."

Redd felt a small twinge of pride when she said that, but then he shook his head.

"Put it back."

"But…" Eshne looked at the book, "Irving deserves to know how Greagoir really feels about him."

"Oh it's a diary!" Nani snatched the journal away from her sister, pouring through the pages, "Andraste's beautiful pink nipples, this is fantastic."

"They should get married." Eshne said thoughtfully, fluttering her gingery eyelashes.

Redd didn't move from his desk. Instead he asked.

"What does he say about me?

Nani read a few pages in, "Not much really. Some of it is how we're trouble."

"The audacity." Eshne shook her head.

"Nothing?" Redd asked.

Nani nodded.

"Bastard…" Redd muttered.

He thought for a moment before pulling out one of the drawers in his desk. He took out a sealed container of brown powder. He handed it to Nani.

"Have fun, girls."

Nani looked at it, a sinister grin growing on her face.

"What is it?" Eshne got up to look.

"Powdered rashvine." Nani answered.

"Small doses please." Redd suggested, "Other than that, you didn't get this from me."

"Yes, ser." Both Nani and Eshne saluted, the two of them quickly racing out to cause mayhem.

Redd shook his head, "How could he not write about me?"

The he went back to his papers, sipping his tea.

Nani and Eshne sat in the library, both of them looking out to see who would be their next victim. Jowan sat across from them, nervously twiddling his thumbs.

"I'm concerned that you both have been so quiet." Jowan said.

"We need total concentration." Eshne hushed him.

Nani peered at the group of Templars that had been walking through the library just at that moment.

"That whole group." She said to Eshne.

"All of them?"

"All of them."

"Got it." Eshne got up and sauntered over to the group, making sure her hair wasn't out of place.

"I-" Jowan started, watching as Nani had disappeared when he turned to say something to her. He threw his hands up and shook his head, "Of course."

Eshne stopped in front of the Templars, she could hear Hadley going over library routines with a few new initiates. She bent over, pretending to look at a few books on a lower self.

"Apprentices are not allowed outside of the dorms late at night. If you do have midnight patrol it is imperative you watch for any apprentice who thinks they can slip into the libraries," Hadley spoke to the Templars, "Pay attention, Recruit."

"Sorry, Ser."

Eshne smiled to herself. She finally picked up a book, an easy read on Destructive magics. She slowly stood up, flipping her hair once as she did so.

"Once you are settled into the barracks, Knight-Commander Greagoir will go over personnel assignments. Some of you may-" He cleared his throat, "Is something more interesting than what I have to say, recruits?"

There was an awkward silence before Eshne felt Hadley looking at her. She heard a sigh.

"Surana, go back to your reading, please."

Eshne turned around, holding up her book, "But I was, dear Ser. I'm a big proponent for...stretching...my academics." She gave a wry smile.

Hadley sighed, "Just go."

Eshne pouted, "I'm so wounded." She sauntered over to him, trailing her fingers up the sword emblem on his chestplate, "Has anyone told you that you have magnificently blue eyes, Knight-Captain?"

Hadley cleared his throat again, somewhat thrown off with her directiveness. There was a slight blush to his cheeks when he spoke next.

"I'll have to ask you to return to your studies, please."

"Anything you say, Knight-Captain." Winked at him, turning to the other Templars, "Now you all enjoy your tour." She blew a kiss, sauntering her way back over to Jowan.

"You are an awful person." Jowan stated.

"Not as awful as Nani." Eshne smiled.

Nani came from out of nowhere and jumped on the couch next to Eshne.

"Is it done?" Eshne asked.

"Oh absolutely." Nani said, holding up the now half empty container of powdered rashvine.

"How did-" Jowan started.

"Suppertime should be soon." Eshne pointed out.

"I am rather hungry." Nani added.

"Did you really put it-" Jowan had to think for a moment, "In their...how?"

Nani and Eshne got up and started walking out of the library.

"How?" Jowan threw his arms up.

Jowan jumped up and followed his friends to the dining hall. They went into a line to get their portioned meals from the Tranquil, and promptly sat down in their usual corner of the hall to converse and eat.

"So, Eshne, when does Ser Cullen come back?" Jowan asked, "You've been more unruly in this last week than you have been since you got here."

"No clue," Eshne said, "Denerim isn't too far. So I suspect soon. I have been enjoying the little bit of freedom though. Redd lets me do anything."

"Welcome to the high life." Nani snorted, picking at the stew that had been served.

"It is fun trying to flirt with him however," Eshne said, "He gets more flustered than the others."

"Now I'm confused, do you actually like him?" Jowan asked.

"So full of questions today, Jowan," Eshne sipped at her cider, "You never let us bother you about your love life."

"She's right, how about it, Jowan?" Nani prodded.

"First of all, you're avoiding my question, Esh," Jowan shook his head, "And there nothing to say about mine. I don't go out and look for trouble by trying to grab at every Templar I see."

"I like the danger," Eshne smiled, "Keeps me on my toes."

"So can an orgasm." Nani added.

"If it's good enough."

"I hate you two." Jowan went back to eating.

A few minutes into eating, Eshne began tapping Nani rapidly on her arm. Nani looked up and saw the group of Templars from earlier walking into the dining hall. Not long after, Knight-Commander Greagoir and Redd walked in as well.

Nani rubbed her hands together in excitement.

While waiting to be fed, the Templars unknowingly afflicted with the rashvie powder began to move about uncomfortably. Nani and Eshne could tell they were trying not to scratch inappropriately, especially in front of their superiors.

Greagoir winced, a bead of sweat falling down from his forehead to his cheek. He shuffled awkwardly.

"Everything alright, Greagoir?" Redd asked, "You look a bit pale."

"I'm fine, Surana." Greagoir said through his teeth, holding back the temptation to itch.

He looked up and noticed a few of the other Templars were acting the same way. Greagoir looked back at Redd.

"Why do you ask?" He raised his brow.

"Genuine concern for a close friend." Redd held his hand to his chest, "Why else do you think?"

"Right."

A few of the new Templars sat at a table across from where Eshne and Nani were. They took their helmets off to eat, and it was clear they were sweating, struggling to keep back the urges to itch.

"A few of them might be cute if they weren't so itchy." Eshne pointed out.

"I guess so." Nani agreed.

"You don't care," Eshne snorted, "They're not Niall."

"Shut up." Nani gave Eshne a light push.

"Does Redd still not know that you two fuck in the kitchens now?" Eshne asked.

Nani looked at Eshne, "How did-"

"I was hungry so I came down for some food and...well he was just really giving it to you wasn't he?"

"Eshne…" Jowan put his head in his hands.

"It was entertaining for a second but I was really hungry." Eshne pouted, "I had to go all the way back upstairs."

"I can't believe…" Nani shook her head, "Wait no I can, it sounds exactly like something you would do."

"Am I getting that predictable?" Eshne pouted.

"Unbelieveable." Jowan sighed. Then he cocked his head to the side, "Eshne…"

"What?"

"One of those Templars keeps looking at you." Jowan whispered.

Eshne glanced up, catching one of the recruits just as he ducked his head down to eat his stew.

"Interesting." Eshne smiled.

When the Templar looked up again, Eshne gave a slight wave, wiggling her fingers as she did so. The recruit gave a curt smile, almost returning the wave, but went back to eating when Greagoir and Redd walked by. After they left, he saw Eshne giving him a quick wink, licking her spoon with the tip of her tongue.

He shifted in his seat, trying to control his arousal while at the same time holding urges to itch at bay.

Did she really want him?

Her violet eyes read sex. Her tongue licking in his direction.

Oh how he knew it was forbidden to think of a mage like this. And just as he was thinking about how perky her tits would be, he felt a slap upside the back of his head.

"Eyes to yourself, recruit." Redd said gruffly.

He glared at at Eshne, who was now waving at him sweetly, like she used to do when she was a little girl. Nani joined in soon after. Jowan just gave one wave and shook his head at the other two.

"Maker, help me I'm going to keep her in a locked room one of these days." He mumbled to himself. Suddenly he was glad to know that Nani put that powder in those boy's trousers. Although he wasn't sure he would be happy to find out exactly how she did it. He shook his head and left the hall.

"Da's going to kill you someday." Nani laughed.

"It's just too fun to watch these Templars squirm at the sight of anything with tits and a hole. That can include you, Jowan."

"No thanks." Jowan quickly said.

"It's bad enough being a mage stuck in a Circle. But when you're a women, all of the male Templars just look at you like you're just something to fuck." Eshne started, "And if they're going to continue doing so, I'm going to make their life a living Hell."

Nani put her hand up for a high-five.

"Just…" Jowan sighed, "Be careful, okay?"

"I have all the protection I need, Jowan my dear." Eshne pointed at Nani, who answered in a definitive nod.

Jowan rolled his eyes, "Suit yourself."

Eshne left Jowan and Nani so she could go to the women's showers. She knew Nani would go up to her room, probably meeting up with Niall. And Jowan would just wait around until Eshne got back.

Eshne snorted to herself, she always took long showers so he'd be waiting for a while. At this time of the day she knew there wouldn't be anyone in the showers. All of the mages were either taking the time to study, or were in the labs working on experiments.

Not that this really mattered to Eshne, she wasn't a naturally shy person. In fact she always took the chance to be naked in the ladies quarters, especially when nani was still an apprentice.

Eshne chose the innermost shower, knowing the water would be hottest here. She undid the braid in her hair, letting her wavy red hair fall down just above her hips. She threw her blue robes over the wall that separated her shower and the next, and she turned the knob.

She happily let the water fall over her, hitting her freckled face and running down her slender frame. Her nose twitched, thinking she smelled a strong cologne waft into the stall, but she pushed it aside so she could just focus on her shower.

She lathered up her self-made lavender and mint body soap, taking care to scrub her delicate hands and feet. When she was a child, she remembered coming to the Circle with bare and calloused feet that the other children made fun of her for. Since then she took extra care to keep her skin soft.

Eshne frowned, not wanting to think about the days where she hated the Circle. If it weren't for Redd, Eshne wasn't sure she would ever have found a home here. He was the one that brought her to the Circle, took her in. If he hadn't, Eshne is sure that she never really would have been friends with Nani.

No matter what, Eshne knew she would have eventually found a friend in Jowan. After all, she was the one who saved his hide when a Templar found a wand under his pillow.

Eshne shook her head, Jowan hadn't been as clever back then. He still wasn't exactly the most nonchalant of mages, but being with Eshne and Nani certainly helped.

Eshne let the oils set in her hair for a bit before she washed them out, careful not to wash too much out knowing how easily her scalp dried.

She turned the knob and shut off the water. She wrung out the excess water in her hair, cursing herself for forgetting a cotton cloth so she could plop her hair. Eshne shrugged to herself, thinking she must have left it in a drawer by her bed.

Wrapping a towel around herself, Eshne reached for her robes. When they weren't there she frowned, thinking they must have fallen into the stall next to her.

She pulled back the curtain to her shower, nearly jumping out of her skin when she saw the Templar from the dining hall standing just outside her stall. He was holding her robes, and she had just caught him smelling them.

"I'm sorry," He said with a smirk, "Did I startle you?"

Eshne felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up, but she brushed off his comment.

"Shame, shame, for you to creep into the womens showers this late at night," She said, "Greagoir only lets the female Templars in here, Ser…?"

"Calder...and I know…" The Templar said, "I just-when I saw you in the dining hall…"

"Oh," Eshne gave a half-hearted smile, "Nothing wrong with a bit of flirting-now, ser, I really have to ask you-"

"A bit of flirting?" Ser Calder repeated her words, "I think it was a little more."

"Ser, if I truly gave you a different impression I have to apologize-"

"No, no," Calder started, her ran his fingers through his black hair, "You don't have to lie to me, we're all alone now."

Eshne gave a nervous laugh, "Well, I'm not lying. I'm very good at it, mind you. But-"

Calder's hand flew to her throat and he pushed her all the way to the tiled wall.

"I don't think you lied about this." He said to her.

"Ser, please," Eshne clawed at his gloved hand, "I should really get back to my room before curfew…" She felt hot tears run down her cheeks.

Calder ignored Eshne's pleas, closing in on her. She could feel his hot breath on her mouth.

"I haven't felt the touch of a woman in some time," He said to her, "But don't worry, I've had plenty of practice."

He pulled Eshne's towel off and threw it to the ground. Then taking off his gloves so he could run his hands over her.

Eshne felt her whole go cold, she touched her bare foot to the wet floor of the shower and it froze over, sticking Calder's boots into place.

"What-" Calder looked down, receiving a swift headbutt from Eshne.

Quickly, Eshne slipped away, not bothering to grab any clothes. She sound of metal boots hitting the ground made her run faster, but just as she made for the doorway she was pulled back. She let out a blood-shrieking scream, only to be silenced by Calder's hand.

He lifted her up onto the wall, using his other hand to keep Eshne's arms held behind her back. She felt a sloppy kiss on her collarbone, feeling the blood from his broken nose running down between her breasts.

When he moved to tug on her nipples with his teeth, Eshne bit his hand, her pointed canines drawing blood. Calder dropped her, and when she fell to the ground she felt a heavy slap against her cheek.

"Knife-eared bitch." Calder spat at her.

"Oh how original." Eshne hissed, . Her fingers crackling bright blue and purple as she readied a lightning spell.

Calder held out his hand, dispelling any of the magic that Eshne had built up. She felt weak and drained. Her eyes fluttered, black spots building up and clouding her vision.

Calder grabbed her hair, pulling Eshne towards him.

"You're being quite naughty, little mage," He said to her, "I think maybe it's time you be put in your place."

Eshne tried to charge another spell, but she was too weak. She then thought to just let it happen, he would leave eventually and then she could just go to bed. Her body fell limp, her lungs burning.

Calder pulled her up to her feet, pushing her chest to the wall. Eshne heard him fiddling with his armor. He bent closer to her to whisper in her ear.

"Just be a sweet little mage, and next time I won't have to get so rough." He bit her earlobe.

Calder took his time trying to prepare her, but when it didn't work out to his liking he pushed his fingers inside. Eshne tried to hold back her tears, but the amount of force Calder used made it painful.

Eshne waited for him to finally force his penis into her. Before he did there was a flash of light. Eshne could feel a singing fire close to her back. Calder reeled backwards and screamed.

Eshne fell to the floor, Nani running to her.

"C'mon, Esh, let's go." Nani pulled her up.

"I can't." Eshne started to sob.

"Alright, alright…" Nani snapped her head to look at Calder, a force of heat rising within her.

She pounced on the Templar, her nails scratching at his face. Her scratches turned to full on blows to the face and head. Nani unleashed a fury upon him.

When Calder's face became almost unrecognizable, Nani felt herself being pulled away. She screamed and flung her arms all around.

"Leave him be."

Nani turned to swing at whoever was holding her, swiping Cullen in the jaw. He reeled back, holding his face.

Nani froze in place, realizing what she had done. She was shaking with rage, but then she saw Eshne laying on the floor and her emotions tempered.

She picked up the towel from the floor, wrapping Eshne up.

Cullen bent down to look at Eshne, and when she saw him she starting sobbing once more. She fell into his arms.

"I'm so sorry…" He whispered to her, "I'm here now…" He looked up at Nani, "Is he…?"

"Unfortunately no. He's out cold though." Nani's face darkened.

"Okay," Cullen thought for a moment, "Get rid of any clothes with blood on it. They can't know you did this."

"What?" Nani snapped.

"If the Chantry finds out you did this to a Templar they will have you made Tranquil." Cullen said quickly, "Please, we need to clean you up before anyone sees."

Nani took off her robes so now only her slip and undershirt were showing. She rolled up her robes and put them aside, thinking she would have to burn them later. She slipped on Eshne's robes, knowing they were too tight for her liking, but she would have to deal with it.

"Redd needs to know." She told Cullen.

She wasn't expecting him to nod in agreement. He picked up Eshne as she held onto his neck.

"I need you to get some clothes on her, then go straight to your father." Cullen said.

He stepped outside of the room and into the hall, Eshne still clinging to him. He whispered gently to her.

"Darling, I need you to go with your sister now." He said to her.

"Please, don't leave me." Eshne begged.

"I'll be back. I just need to you go with Nani right now, okay?"

Eshne hesitated, but then nodded.

Cullen set her down, concern lining his face. To him Eshne looked like a glass figure, and he had to try his hardest not to shatter her further.

"C'mon, Eshne." Nani took her sister's hand, "I'm here."

"Okay." Eshne said faintly.

Cullen watched Nani lead Eshne away, and when they were out of eyesight he went back into the shower room.

He was lucky that the Templar armor shielded Calder from Nani's fire spell. He thought to himself he would have a hard time explaining why a Templar has mage fire burns all over him.

Calder began to writhe on the floor.

Cullen knew he wasn't a violent man at heart, he was pious and just if anything. But as he thought about Eshne lying on the floor beaten and bruised, at the hands of a supposed protector, a heat rose in him.

His face was set, darkened with a rekindled rage. And he pulled off his gloves.

For a long time Redding Surana had always thought that he could stomach most things. Brutal murder, blood, slaughter; he had seen it all.

But when he saw Eshne's empty face while Greagoir questioned her, Redd felt close to vomiting.

Eshne sat in a chair across the Knight-Commander, who looked grave indeed. Redd couldn't bear to sit, and was pacing around. He made Nani sit outside.

"And when did Na'Nalia come in?" Greagoir asked Eshne.

"Um-" Eshne closed her eyes to think, "Right after...he-he…"

"Okay that's enough." Redd snapped, "Leave her be, Greagoir."

"I need to ask her these things Ser Redding," Greagoir told him, "As unpleasant as they might be…"

"It's okay," Eshne said dryly, "Nani had come looking for me, after Jowan noticed I had been gone too long. She had ran into Ser Cullen by happenstance, having just arrived from his trip to Denerim. And that's when they both came looking for me."

"Ser Cullen was with her the whole time?"

"Yes, ser."

"Did Na'Nalia ever lay a hand on Ser Calder?" Greagoir asked.

"No, ser."

Greagoir thought for a moment, "I see…" He looked up at Redd, "Bring her in."

Nani came into the office, her face was hard set and she placed a protective hand on Eshne's shoulder."

"Miss Surana tells me you were with Ser Cullen?" Greagoir inquired.

"Yes, ser. I met him in the hall when I went to look for Eshne. Seeing as how he is the Templar charged to look after her, I thought it fit to let him know she was missing. I opened the door to the womens showers and I saw…" Her throat dried up, "I saw...Ser Calder...had her bent over. And it was clear to me he had done her harm. I called to Ser Cullen, and he was the one to pull Ser Calder away and proceeded to beat him. I held onto Eshne as it was clear she could barely stand at the moment."

Greagoir nodded, "And you never for a second laid a hand on Ser Calder?"

"No, ser."

"Let me see your hands."

Redd interjected, "This is insane! My daughter was-"

Greagoir held up his hand, "Na'Nalia…"

Nani hesitated, but then extended her hands out. Greagoir could see no bruising, and he was satisfied.

"Very well. I will bring in Ser Cullen so that he may give his report."

"What of Calder?" Redd spat the name.

"He will be reprimanded."

"How?"

"As the Chantry sees fit." Greagoir answered.

Redd scoffed, "The bloody fucking...Chantry…" He mumbled, "What are they going to do? Sit him down and give him a stern talking to? Meanwhile my girl has to suffer in silence because she's 'just a mage'!"

"That's enough, Templar."

Redd turned around to see the Chantry Mother Eliza standing in the doorway. She had her hands clasped together as she walked into the room.

"I was roused from my slumber to hear that a Templar has attacked one of his fellows?" She looked to Greagoir.

"Nevermind that!" Redd shouted, "Said Templar attacked and forced himself on a mage!"

The Mother looked down to Eshne, who was still blank-faced. She sighed.

"Witnesses?"

"Two." Greagoir answered.

"And this other Templar, the one who attacked…"

"Ser Cullen."

"Yes, will he be reprimanded?"

"I will see to it." Greagoir told her.

"And this alleged molestation?" The Mother asked.

"Alleged?" Redd was nearly beside himself.

"Be still, Templar. You are still under Chantry laws." The Mother snapped at him, she looked to Greagoir for the answer to her question.

"It's true." Greagoir said curtly.

"Hmm," The Mother seemed amused, "Then I'm sure that this Templar who attacked a mage will be dealt with?"

"Yes. I was going to ask that he be stripped of his duties-"

The Mother tsked, "No, no. Once someone has pledged their life to the Maker, there will be no such thing. Send him to the Denerim Chantry."

"What?" Nani balled up her fist, trying to contain her rage.

"I warn you, mage, keep your temper to yourself." The Mother glared at Nani, "Simply send this Templar to Denerim. And that's the end of it." She spat.

The Mother promptly left, sneering to herself when she saw Eshne.

Redd stared at the ground.

"Greagoir…" He said emptily.

"Don't." Greagoir snapped at him, "I know what you're planning, and don't."

"I just-" Redd started, his face brighter than a tomato.

Eshne finally stood up, silencing the room. She was breathing heavily when she spoke.

"I think I would like to go to sleep now." She said quietly.

"Of course, darling…" Nani took her hand.

"Thank you, Knight-Commander." Eshne said dryly, "I know you're doing all you can."

Eshne left without another word. A heavy guilt set in on the room. Redd looked at Greagoir once more.

"Don't you dare punish that Eshne for what that fucker did." He spoke through his teeth, I will raze this whole tower, I swear to you."

"I know you will." Greagoir furrowed his brow, "Were I in your position, I would too."

Redd scoffed, "Don't you dare pretend like you haven't felt my pains. I know you, Greagoir. More than you would ever like to think." He stopped himself, taking a deep sigh before changing the subject, "I suppose I should collect Ser Cullen?"

"That would be best."

Redd turned to leave, he stopped at the archway, "Oh and Greagoir."

"Yes?"

"You fucking deserve that rashvine that's in your armor, and more."

Greagoir gave a solemn sigh.

"I know, Redd. I know."