Cullen's gone mad;
Chapter Five: Rising Jealousy
Neither Synara nor Cullen were in a rush to get up, there wasn't anywhere they needed to be in a hurry and so they just lay there, in the comfort of their bedroll, intertwined into one another lovingly. The camp was rather private and so they didn't worry about being caught there either. There was comfortable silence between the two. Cullen was still tickling his lovers back, causing a soft pleasureful moan to escape her lips every now and again as she smiled at him. Synara, resting her head on Cullen's chest, found his soft breathing to be extremely peaceful. They were as happy as they could be, but... doubt was playing in Synara's mind. Cullen had such awful dreams before he found Synara, now he slept peacefully and she had the torment – "but why?"
"Is something wrong?" He whispered. Synara didn't realise she had spoken.
"Hmm?"
"You mumbled something."
"I just said that... I love you." She lied not wanting to worry him. Cullen kissed her softly on the forehead.
"I love you too." The silence crept back in as Synara unravelled her mind. All she could think of was that her and Cullen's mind were somehow connected in the fade – A strong love could indeed bond them in such a way and because Synara so desperately wanted to free her love from his pain, she may have accidently switched them, so to speak, but why was she dreaming about him in such a violent manner?
"Cullen..." Synara broke the silence, her words weary.
"Yes my dear?"
"Your dreams... what were they about?" He knew exactly what she meant from the sound of her words. Synara felt his muscles tense and his body fell completely still.
"I-I uh... don't remember." She narrowed her eyes; everyone remembers their most disturbing dreams, especially when they are repeated, but his body language confirmed what she suspected – He dreamt about her. She would drop the subject for now until she understood more about what was going on. After all, she didn't want to disturb Cullen any more than he had already been.
The couple held hands as they walked the road, both in an extraordinary mood with huge smiles upon their lips.
"I didn't know life could feel this good anymore." Cullen said stopping his lover. She turned to face him; the sun shone brightly giving him an angelic glow, which made him look even more handsome than he already was – if that was at all possible that is. She was as madly in love as he was and both agreed it was nice to no longer have to hold themselves back from one another. Synara kissed her templar, bending her one leg back. She laughed inwardly at how girly she felt and for the first time in her life, she felt like she actually mattered to someone – that, for the first time ever, she was someone's world.
As soon as they hit Denerim, Synara headed for the Gnawed Noble Tavern with Cullen close behind. She was in need of some lyrium and she knew the barkeep had a stash hidden for such people as herself. Upon noticing Synara approach, the barkeep looked around suspiciously, of course he knew who she was but he held a silent agreement with her from back in the day – he doesn't draw attention to her and she wouldn't let slip to the guards about his 'work on the side'. Either way, he knew what she was there for, and as she smiled at him, he discreetly passed her what she desired, before she slipped him some coin in return. With their business done, she nodded at him before turning to face Cullen.
"What was that about?" He asked. Synara shock her head.
"Nothing." She replied in a sweet, reassuring tone.
As Synara began to check her goods, Cullen eyed up the vial of blue liquid with great intensity. He swallowed hard and his breathing increased. Synara noticed the sudden change in her companion.
"Are you ok?" She asked eyeing him up. His eyes didn't leave the blue liquid. "Cullen!" She called louder. His eyes shot to hers this time.
"Why-why do you need that?" He gasped trying to snatch at the tiny bottle. Synara moved her hand away just in time. Just then she remembered what Alistair had told her about Templar's being forced to take lyrium so the chantry could control them easier. She hadn't seen him with withdrawals but then again, he escaped from the tower long before he actually found her.
"I'm a mage." She stated bluntly stashing the vial into her backpack. "It doesn't effect me as it does you, please try to put it out of your mind." She felt guilty now. Synara had seen how this stuff gives men great ecstasy and yet, it does nothing of the sort to a mage. She wished she hadn't stirred up the feeling of desperate need for Cullen, unless of course, that need was for her – A cheeky glint arose in her eyes as she lingered on that thought.
"I uh, I'd like to see Alistair while we're here… if you don't mind that is." Synara glanced up at Cullen slyly; she could see he was trying to mask his sudden jealousy with a sweet smile.
"Of course." Was all he said.
The two made their way to the palace. Synara was going to attempt to enter Cullen's mind to find what force was harassing them in the form of violent visions. She wouldn't stand for having these images forced into her dreams. She also wanted revenge for what had happened to her love. For this to happen, she would need to be somewhere quiet, somewhere safe – Alistair could provide her with this… or so she hoped.
Upon entering the palace Synara remembered why she hated this place so much, it was so big and filled with over priced junk that she knew she'd break if she touched anything. Memories of Shale entered her mind; she remembered the first time Shale had ever set foot in a palace – 'Most impractical' the golem commented. It made Synara giggle, though she wasn't made of rock, she was always worried she'd accidently bump into something and end up having to pay out more than she owned for a simple vase to be repaired. Either way, today the mage was in luck. Alistair was present in the palace and had time to see her. Though Synara only gave the elven servant her name to pass on, she knew he'd have informed his king there were two people to see him – whoever Alistair thought the other person would be, surely Cullen wouldn't have crossed his mind. Only upon entering the throne room did Synara pull off her hood. She stayed very close to Cullen, her hand in his. Strangely enough, Synara felt nervous seeing her old friend again. When she mentioned seeing Alistair, Cullen didn't think about the palace. He wasn't even aware his lover knew the king.
Alistair smiled at the sight of his former companion, but that smile faltered upon seeing her hand intertwined with another mans. It did not stop him from being polite however.
"Your majesty." Synara said with a slight snigger as she bowed; she felt as though she were back at camp a year ago teasing him again.
"It's good to see you again Synara." Alistair replied hugging her. Cullen's face twisted into anger at the sight of his girl in that of another mans arms.
"This is Cullen." Synara said pulling her love forward.
"I remember you… from the Tower." Alistair replied politely, but by that, what he really meant was he remembered what the templar had said to Synara and how she spent the next few days crying about it whenever she was at camp. Cullen was unsure what to say and as the kings eyes bore down upon him, he began to feel insignificant and nervous, almost as if this almighty man could so easily sweep Synara off her feet and into his arms, if he so desired, leaving Cullen alone and even more afraid than before.
The Atmosphere was tense but Synara honestly didn't notice the glares the two men were casting towards one another. She felt Cullen's hand tighten around hers however, and as she saw the insecurity in his eyes, she though it a good idea to get this over with as quickly as possibly.
"I was wondering if you'd allow me to do a ritual of sorts here." Synara said quickly, invading the silence. She felt so rude requesting this out loud. The only time she ever visited her friend was when she wanted something, and not only that, but she brought the man she was now involved with. Cullen's weight shifted, Synara had mentioned quickly on the way from the tavern that she needed to be rid of a demon, but she hadn't time to explain everything to him.
"Hmm, I'd like to hear more about this 'ritual' first before I approve anything." Alistair said sternly. Synara believed this fair, the last time she asked for something like this he was asked to lay with Morrigan – something that was unpleasant for the both of them. "Shall we discuss this over dinner?" The mage looked towards her love, but Cullen was reluctant to say anything, in fact he looked a little distant now.
"That uh, would probably be best." Synara finally answered.
The mage waited until the room was empty of everyone but the three before she was ready to talk. They sat around a large table in an extremely oversized room.
"So tell me about this ritual." Alistair spoke his voice echoing from the walls. Synara looked towards her love who still seemed rather distant. She cleared her throat looking towards Alistair before speaking.
"Something has been tormenting Cullen's mind, first… only when he slept but the sleep deprivation began to take a toll shortly afterwards – hallucinations and such." Cullen looked away, ashamed at his past wrong deeds. "What ever type of demon it was has left him alone for the time being; instead… it's moved to me." Cullen's eyes shot to Synara's.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, his words came out a little harsher than he intended.
"I thought you had enough things to think about without having to worry about me too." Synara said with a weak smile before looking back at Alistair, who was now eyeing up her neck slyly. "Anyway, I believe since this demon communicated with Cullen first, that if I enter his mind I'd be likely to find out why this is happening." Silence fell over the room. "Are you listening Alistair?"
"Did you do that?" Alistair finally asked pointing to Synara's neck as he shot a glare towards Cullen. A stern but angry look filled the templar's features. Synara thought she had covered her chock marks but her clothes must have revealed it when she moved her head.
"Alistair!" The mage yelled angrily.
"I want to know!" He replied, his tone matching her own.
"I…" Cullen didn't know what to say. Slight panic filled his face as he looked almost pleadingly at Synara for assistance.
"I'd like to speak to you in private please Alistair." Syn gritted her teeth. Alistair shot a warning glance at Cullen before getting up and making his way to the door. Synara also rose from her chair but did not follow the king just yet, instead she moved towards Cullen at the other side of the table.
"I'm sorry," She whispered wrapping her hand into his, "I didn't think he would act like this." Her words soft and welcoming. Cullen smiled up at her from his chair but she could see in his eyes he was hurt and angry at himself for causing her pain yet again; he didn't speak. Synara leaned in kissing his lips reassuringly before following after Alistair.
"What was that about?" Synara hissed, "You have no right to speak to him like that, he's done nothing wrong!"
"Don't think I haven't heard about the incident at the tower Synara." She was taken back by his words.
"How?" She muttered eyeing him up and down. She felt as though he had been keeping tabs on her or something of the sort - invading her privacy even.
"I am king remember!" He said proudly both in words and stance. Synara's face become stern once again – had he forgotten already that she was the reason he was king?
"No, you're just as ass-" She said pocking a finger into his chest, "Where has this sudden hostility come from?" Alistair merely grunted. "You know, I came here because I believed you'd help me, not act like an over protective father or something." Synara turned from the king; he grabbed her wrist a little more harshly than intended, stopping her from leaving just yet. Cullen saw this from the open doorway. He gritted his teeth as his hands twisted in fists. He really didn't like another man touching Synara in such a way, especially when he felt like he couldn't compete with them.
"You're right… I'm sorry," Alistair said, his tone more composed now, "I just don't like seeing you hurt, we've been through so much together that I can't help myself." He ran his hand gentle over Synara's cheek. An unwanted gesture. The mage crossed her arms over her chest as she took a step backward.
"That was so long ago Alistair; it's time to move on." Alistair let lose a defeated sigh – she was right, as always.
"I'll help you then," He finally spoke, "Anything you need, I'll get it."