A week later, Alex returned, but not from Redcliffe.

Cullen blinked as he looked at the people behind her, while she herself was giving him a wide grin. A tall, muscled Qunari was behind her, his massive broadsword at his shoulder, grinning down at him. Beside him was another soldier with black hair and beard, looking at the training soldiers on the courtyard. There was also an elf, with blond, unevenly cut hair and a bow, picking at her nose as they stood. Beside her was another mage, dark skinned and tall with a horned head-dress, with an elegant air about her, standing a bit farther from the Qunari, wriggling her nose disdainfully at the man's sweaty scent. He had noticed that there was also a group of people behind the tall Qunari, which included a dwarf, three humans and two elves.

Leliana and Josephine stood beside Cullen, taking in the sight, just as Alex swept a hand to gesture at the people behind her.

"Everyone, I want you to meet our new allies." She said, "This is Warden Blackwall…" She pointed at the bearded man, who nodded at them. "And Sera…" the blond elf flicked the booger on her finger to the ground and grinned at them, "First Enchanter Vivienne De Fer…" The tall mage bowed regally, "And The Iron Bull…" She patted the Qunari's muscled arm, and he flexed his chest muscles at them, "These are his mercenary group, The Chargers." The group behind the Qunari bowed a little. Alex smiled at Josephine, "Lady Montilyet, I would like to speak with Cullen and Leliana for a moment. Would you mind giving them a tour of Haven?"

The three advisors looked at each other, before Josephine coughed, "Of course, Lady Trevelyan." She gestured at the grounds, "If you would like a tour, please follow me, my lords and ladies."

The Iron Bull and Sera snorted at being called a lord and a lady, but they walked with Josephine, with Blackwall, Vivienne and the Chargers following. Alex crossed her arms and looked at them as they left, before she grinned up at Leliana, who smiled back.

"Very well done, Inquisitor." The spymaster said, "Warden Blackwall wasn't what I expected, but thank you for taking my advice and searching for him."

Alex shrugged, "He was alone, though. There were no other Wardens with him."

"It is quite alright. It is still good to know that there are some Wardens in the vicinity. And when I was with the Hero of Ferelden… your sister, we used the Warden treaties to gather allies or conscript soldiers. It would be most useful."

"Then we'll discuss this at the War Table later, it could be used to conscript soldiers. The elf, Sera… she said she could provide additional information from slaves and servants of noble houses. She's a member of the Red Jenny. Vivienne is the leader of the Loyalist mages, so we could get something from her as well." Alex leaned in closer to the two of them who followed her action. Immediately, Cullen blinked, smelling what seemed to be lavenders from her, and he breathed in deep for a moment while he listened to her. "But the Qunari… Iron Bull… he's the most useful of them. He's Ben-Hassrath."

He blinked, "A Qunari spy? Are you quite sure of this, Lady Trevelyan?"

Alex nodded, "He said he was willing to provide information on what's happening in Tevinter and Orlais. There are elven and human Ben-Hassrath scattered around Thedas. He says that all he asks is a return of information he can report to the Arishok in Seheron… but nothing classified."

"A trade. That is doable." Leliana nodded as they leaned back to look casual, "I will see what reports he can give to the Arishok then." She smiled as she remembered something, "If I'm not mistaken, the new Arishok is an old friend of mine. Perhaps I can send him… something to remember me by. Like a flower."

Alex blinked at the spymaster as she winked at her, and she laughed. Cullen couldn't help but laugh along with her, as he was glad that even though so many things were being asked from her, she was still cheerful enough to smile at the spymaster's subtle jokes. When they quieted down, Alex looked at him, "That reminds me, Cullen. There is… something I'd like to ask you."

"What would you like to know?" He replied, putting both of his hands on his sword pommel again in his usual stance of ease.

"Do templars take vows? 'I swear to the Maker to watch all mages'… that sort of thing?" Alex asked as they turned to look at the soldiers again.

He shrugged as he answered, "There's a vigil first, you're meant to be at peace during that time, but your life is about to change. When it's over, you give yourself to a life of service. That's when you're given a philter… for first draught of lyrium and its power."

He felt his throat burn at the mention of lyrium, as he himself hasn't take it for months, ever since he left Kirkwall. He coughed as he continued, "As templars, we are not to seek wealth or recognition. Our lives belong to the Maker and the path we have chosen."

He looked down at her then, and he blinked when he saw her smirking at him, "A life of service and sacrifice. Are templars also expected to give up… physical temptations?"

Cullen's face burned at her question, and he ran a hand on the back of his neck, "Physical? Why…" he coughed in embarrassment, "Why would you… that's not expected. Templars can marry… although there are rules around it, and the Order must give permission. Some may give up more to prove their devotion, but it's… um… not required."

Alex turned, stepping a little closer to him, and his face heated into overdrive as he looked into her eyes, "Have you?" she asked, her voice slightly lowered in octave, and he swallowed.

"Me? I… no… I've not taken such vows."

She smirked at him then, almost teasingly, and he inhaled… which proved to be a mistake, as her swirling scent of lavenders enclosed upon him again, tightening at his chest and making his heart seem to beat louder. He exhaled quickly, "Maker's breath, can we speak of something else?"

Alex's face split into a grin, and thankfully (though regretfully) she stepped back, shifting her weight to head to Iron Bull, who was now standing some distance from the training ground with one of his Chargers. "That's all for now, Cullen. I'll be heading to Redcliffe now. I have to talk to Vivienne, Bull and Sera."

He coughed again before bowing, "Another time then."

Alex smiled sweetly at him again, before walking away. Cullen's face cooled down considerably as she left, and he huffed. Maker's breath… did I just imagine that? He thought as he turned his attention back to the soldiers, the Herald was…flirtingwith me?

He blinked at the realization that she really was… flirting with him, and he exhaled again, running a hand on the back of his neck in embarrassment even though she was not around. He had to admit, Alex Trevelyan was rather… beautiful. But somehow it felt a little wrong. When he looked at her, he was often reminded of her sister Solona, and how he had treated her. Regret often twisted his stomach whenever she looked at him.

But he also understood that Alex was not Solona. She was… he couldn't find a word for it, a minx that teased him endlessly whenever she was at the camp restocking after being weeks away with her party to the Hinterlands, the Storm Coast or at the Fallow Mire, while Solona was calmer, and soft-spoken. He has had an infatuation with her during his younger days, but he had to admit, he was beginning to like the way Alex flirted at him, even though he tried hard not to get into his head.

He turned again to look at Alex, who was now talking to Bull, laughing with him as he told her stories about his life in the Qun. He watched her as she playfully punched the Bull, but when she turned, she captured his gaze, and he felt his face flush at the realization that she saw him staring at her. But instead, she winked at him and smiled flirtatiously, before turning her attention back to the Qunari.

So she's flirting with me… he thought, a smirk pulling on his lips, Two can play that game.