"Sloppy, Gerard. Very sloppy." Jadell shook her head at the soldier, glaring a moment before shaking her head. "You don't know how to handle the shield, and it's confusing your movements. It won't give you protection if you can't use it. You're used to dual blades in your hands, aren't you?" Cullen watched as Jadell snapped her fingers, bringing a different trainer to the front. "Don't change what you know," she told the man who she was working with. "You put yourself at a disadvantage."

The blonde then pressed on, pausing a match to position herself behind a fresh recruit and push his arms to the correct stance. "Wider. Less bold. You'll improve and be able to get more creative after your basics are pristine."

The woman had a natural trustworthiness about her, and worked hard to maintain the trust she gathered. With the authority to keep Skyhold working as she saw fit the leadership qualities pulled to the forefront. He was able to keep an eye on her, but at the same time it was also just nice to see her working so intuitively.

Cassandra was out in the field with the Inquisitor, leaving Cullen nominally in charge. In that safety he had cut off the lyrium.

Only to find it want so safe. After a few days he felt weakened and fuzzy, and the blue liquid called to him. He had started taking to his office much more often.

Cullen didn't remember writing reports, but apparently he managed to still do so. He would lapse into a fog and wake with them nearly written and sorted. Something about it felt strange, but if he was still able he was able. The penmanship wasn't as neat as he usually preferred, but the observances and details were very much his own.

Right now he was observing the training and was sufficiently impressed. He caught Jade's eye, seeing the corner of her mouth slip slightly upwards as she moved towards him.

"Commander."

"Captain." He looked over the yard, nodding. "The troops are coming along nicely." He then inspected her. She seemed calm, but he saw the dark circles she only just covered with make-up and the unmistakeable redness in her eyes. "Not sleeping well?"

"I- uh..." She bit her lip and me his gaze. "Nightmares?"

It was a question as much as a statement but he could accept that. For now. "Try harder. You are depended on."

"I'm not letting you down, Ser," she assured confidently. "I promise that."

"I can see that. So, I'm sure you've written it up but since I'm here... please tell me about your distribution here."

Jadell spent the next hour going over how she had distributed the trainees and those soldiers remaining at Skyhold permanently. Cullen made a few corrections to streamline day-to-day functionality, but she definitely had an overall grasp of things.

"I like permission to pit some of the former Templars against the newer recruits," Jade offered. "At least when they get good enough. If we're going to have to handle those... Red Templar abominations... I'd rather they be prepared."

"See it done." Cullen approved immensely. "I hate to ask it but do you have a few minutes... after evening meal maybe? Just to- talk?"

Jade obviously caught the question hidden behind his voice because she nodded. "I'll see you this evening, Commander. I believe Vin has a crash course with Vivienne tonight. By which I mean he will likely be literally breaking something of hers." She sighed. "For like-minded people, he really seems to hate her."

Cullen laughed. "You'll need to tell me more about..." As he was finishing, a scout came up and saluted. "Yes?"

"Milady Inquisitor is approaching the gates."

Jadell bowed her head slightly. "I will allow you to prepare for your duties..." she began.

"Lady Trevelyan would enjoy meeting you. Proceed as planned."

Jadell nodded, dispensing an order to Patrick for dissemination as she followed Cullen to his office to prepare for the Inquisitor's return.

It took a couple hours, but at the end the duo had finished rooting through the paperwork on Cullen's desk and separated it by order of importance. There was a lot to do; Jade offered to assist as best she could- an offer Cullen took up all too willingly. They were both wrapped up in reviewing things when the door opened.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all!" Cullen smiled widely as he stood. "Jadell, this is Inquisitor Trevelyan."

Jade stood as well, considering the woman. All in all she didn't appear to be anything especially noteworthy- just another woman, human and a few years older that herself. Maybe. "An honor to make your official acquaintance ma'am," Jadell offered.

Trevelyan had a lovely smile. "I can say the same actually. I understand I have you to thank for the efficiency of Skyhold."

Jadell fought not to blush. "I am..." She caught a warning glare from Cullen, reminding her to take credit when it was due. "As you say, ma'am."

"I have passed by a young Mage from Orlais who spent time in Starkhaven. Vincent." The interest was palpable, thick in the air. "Apparently you and he are partnered."

Jade cocked her head, confused on basic instinct. Then she saw the Inquisitor's eyes shift to Cullen. Ah.

"Vincent started as my charge in Starkhaven," she admitted. "We found working together to be mutually beneficial and it took root from there. So yes, you could say we are partnered- involved, if you like."

Cullen was the one to shift there. "I don't mean any offense, but wasn't that..?" He trailed off, embarrassed to be asking.

"Illicit? We didn't do anything untoward until we were across the narrow sea, Commander, I assure you." She smiled a bit. "Not that it wasn't tempting, admittedly. We simply found that practicing our talents in mutual understanding gave us an edge."

Cullen chuckled. "I bet it would."

Trevelyan piped up. "I was wondering though. Vincent is Orlesian. How did you come to meet?"

"He came to Starkhaven after Enchanter Fiona broke the circle," Jadell explained.

"Then it was a mistake?"

Jadell shut her eyes tightly, and the other two went silent. "A mistake. I guess- in some regard it could have been. But I will say this. If it was, it was a wonderful chance."

The Inquisitor looked perplexed. "You don't think you'd have been as able as you are without him?"

Jadell actually lost her calm. She shook her head, backing up. "Honestly? I don't know. I... a life without Vin..." She managed to look up and meet Trevelyan's eyes as she finished her thought. "No. Never."