Commander Cullen-
As you know, I left Starkhaven just after word of Kirkwall hit Knight-Commander Ainslyn. I know nothing of this Jadell, but if she is from our Circle you can be sure she will be useful to the Inquisition.
I do know of the rumors you heard about the Alienage. From what I understand a single newly-minted and off-duty Templar held off an apostate it with only the elves for back up for most of a day before word finally reached the Tower. The Templars in war asked Ainslyn to hand this person over many times over the year since it happened, but the Knight-Commander cited specific skills she wanted to hone before setting the Templar loose. If you've found this individual...
Do with this what you will.
- Ser Rylen
- 0 ~
Cullen mulled over the letter in his makeshift office, considering the implications. He'd actually gathered someone of minor note apparently, and Jadell did seem to have a natural sensibility. He looked up from the table in the field, watching as she worked with the others to inventory, and debated his next move. In the end he decided little had changed since Haven.
It was just after lunch and she hadn't seemed to take a break. Cullen was about to go order it when he noticed her mage beat him to it, grabbing her shoulder and saying something just loud enough that Cullen heard the irritation. The blonde woman shrugged in return and started to go back when the elf grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away physically. Cullen took that moment to insert himself.
"Jadell." Both of them blushed, embarrassed. "When were you going to step away?"
"I..." She stammered a moment before lowering her head. "About that..."
"I need you prepared and on the practice field in one hour. Get something to eat and be there."
"Yes Ser." She disappeared, Vincent ducking along beside her.
"They certainly have a strange relationship," Cullen heard behind him. He smiled, turning to Trevelyan.
"Inquisitor."
"Not you too Cullen. Please? I thought we were starting to get on."
Getting on. Like wanting to press his lips against her cheek, or take her out for a walk and declare his love... "We were. We are. I mean... Maker's breath. I didn't mean to upset you, my lady."
She smiled. "So. Who exactly is that girl running willy-nilly with Dorian's new apprentice?"
Cullen sighed. "Dorian is taking the boy on?"
"Seems young Vincent quite caught the Vint's eye." Trevelyan shrugged. "It should be interesting to see. Vivienne is livid."
Cullen shook his head. "It limits my options." He looked after where the two had dashed together. "We shall see."
The hour added quickly. Cullen was waiting at the field when Jadell walked over on her own, looking expectantly. He gestured to the nearby armor hold, watching interestedly as she tossed it on naturally in spite of it being an unfamiliar set. Obviously she was well practiced that much. Her grasp on the weaponry was solid as well, just a few stabs with the edge before she nodded her readiness.
Cullen then stepped away. Fiona had actually grinned at the chance to find a worthy opponent, and this Orlesian woman the Enchanter had picked looked quite bent on the match. Jadell herself even grinned a little when she saw. "Kailynn. Knight-Enchanter's pet gets to play?" The girl with dark, startling curls almost screamed as she dashed forward.
~Put her opponent off guard. Point.~
Jade's mouth was moving, but Cullen was at a loss what she was doing unless it was mumbling chant. When the lightening strike came, Kadell was able to catch it well on the edge of her shield, and then he noticed what her lips were moving to form. Numbers. She was counting. Timing.
~Timing to be able to predict her opponent. Point two.~
The second thing that happened was an aggravated sigh from the mage and another spark. "Thirty-five," Jade sighed as she moved out of defensive stance. "You're slow, Kailynn."
"You haven't even..." Before the sentence finished, the area flooded with a spell purge; it was enough to bring the Orlesian to her knees.
"You helped start a rebellion and you can't take that?" Jade mocked. She pressed forward, cautious. "That was sloppy."
"Out of practice," was the response. She went to activate a barrier spell as her reserves returned, but Jadell was already there to disarm. The staff was quite suddenly rolling at the edge of the training grounds and by someone else's feet. That individual bent down and picked up the weapon, chuckling.
"Fancy an actual challenge, Templar girl?" Dorian asked.
She assessed the new arrival, turning to Cullen. "Commander's choice."
Cullen considered. Fiona had chosen poorly, that was true, and this would give him a truer idea of her abilities. On the other hand...
"I won't hurt her," Dorian assured. "Much. Just a friendly assessing of my own."
"Just be careful," Cullen asked.
The fight was nowhere as short. Jadell was good and methodical, but not nearly fast enough for the Tevinter mage. He had her on the ground swiftly, and Cullen had to admit he'd likely have been in the same position, but quite suddenly she was on the offensive again having simply used her shield to reflect every spell back.
That was until Dorian spun in a wide flourish, arcing a frost blast around her defense. She was quite suddenly stock-still and frozen through, brought to her knees with a violent shivering. Dorian pulled back, obviously stunned by the severity of her reaction.
"Jadell?" Cullen called out, rushing up.
From the sideline Vincent broke into a run. "Jade!" As soon as he was near enough, he grabbed her shoulder and trickled the warmth into her slowly. "Just a little more, love."
Jade gasped a bit before reaching for his hand. "And that," she grumbled, "is the problem with my particular...skill set." She looked up at Cullen. "Apologies, Commander."
"No apologies. I'd like you to take the rest of the day off and report first thing in the morning. We can... discuss then."
Cullen was at a loss when he left. On one hand, she had a natural ability to assess and command. She also had a grasp of tactics, and better form than most. Realistically he would prefer to have her and the Starkhaven quints head up a forward base, but...
"Is it just me or is she rather competent?" Trevelyan asked coming up beside him.
"She is," Cullen agreed. "It's especially impressive since..." He paused, an idea forming he couldn't ignore. A way to remove the last leash, that final flaw. "...she's so young," he lied.
"You should have someone to take over Skyhold's personal forces. You have the whole Inquisition after all. You could use someone to lean on."
Cullen considered. "A permanent posting at Skyhold. I...prefer that idea, actually."
The Inquisitor nodded in acceptance. "If I see the request I will sign it."
The morning conversation would be very enlightening.