The Rogue's Conquest
Chapter Six
"Maker!Damn his curiosity!" Sebastian ached. It was why when he'd heard the soft sobs drifting through the tavern; he'd been unable to stop himself from finding the source. It was why when he'd tracked the wee whimpers to the parlor, he'd peeked in and it was because of his inability to control said curiosity that he now stood in this abandoned alley, a wretched hole that reeked of piss, booze and vomit, sporting a painfully erect cock!
The vision of her scarlet mane as it cascaded freely down her defined, tanned back and the way the ends swept the top of her firm, snow globe bottom, would be burned behind his retina for an eternity. As would the sight of her lithe form, snaking down her mewling lover's body. Her cries! Oh, sweet Divine! His hands shook, had ached for just a touch of her sweat-slicked skin. The way the cinnamon curves glimmered like gold in the light of the hearths glow had mesmerized Sebastian.
"Okay, get a hold of yourself mate, just breath." Sebastian coached. With his hands on his knees and his head bowed low, he closed his eyes, desperately trying to control himself, only to be bombarded by images of the dusky, seductress bend the fine Lady Hawke, over the piano. At the images Sebastian conjured, his engorged organ twitched and swelled, doubling Sebastian over like a punch to the gut. A sick feeling washed through him, he felt as if he'd been kicked squarely between his thighs by a horse. He couldn't meet with the Knight-Vigilant in this state! He could take care of himself… but would it be enough? Sebastian wasn't sure. Even if it were, he certainly couldn't do it in an alley. Maker, if he were caught! He could already hear the laughter, could see the scandal.
Squeezing his eyes tighter he began chanting quietly, not wanting anyone to hear him. "And so is the Golden City blackened." Sebastian managed between each laboured breath. "With each step you take in my Hall," inhale. "Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting," exhale. "You have brought Sin to Heaven. And doom upon the entire world."
Sebastian couldn't say how many times he'd repeated The Canticle of Threnodies. It was his favourite hymn and part of the last sermon Divine Justinia had seen them off with. She had used it to remind her men to never forget that though Kirkwall may seem at peace, it was closer to the Black City than all believed. Sebastian was certain the Divine would be thoroughly disgusted with his weakness in the eyes of temptation and worse, that her beautiful words were now serving as a balm to cool his wicked libido.
Perhaps the Maker and Justinia could forgive his weakness though? He was but a man after all, who sinned like everyone else. Some days beating the rake he'd been into submission could be a real inner power struggle. Being witness to two beautiful woman making love… No, that hadn't been love that had been fucking, plain and simple. How could any man be witness to such wicked imagery and not be tempted?
Whether Justinia would find his use of her words foul, or not, they were working. His choppy breathing calmed, the hectic pulse that had taken residence in his ears began to quiet. Slower still, his bruised organ recoiled, leaving only a dull ache amidst his thighs. At least he could move in his heavy armor again without excruciating pain. Righting himself, Sebastian stood shifting the white dragon bone he wore. Breathing deep one last time, Sebastian exited the alleyway, with his helmed head held high, hoping he painted the perfect picture of his Knight-Commander status.
"Knight-Commander?" Her sweet voice trickled over him. Sebastian's blood raced back to his nether regions, his knees threatening to buckle from the sudden pressure at his apex. Sighing irritably at this new inability to control himself. Sebastian hung his head, his chin touching the cold bone of his armor. How long had he been in the alley anyways? He wondered, looking towards the setting sun. She rested her little, hand on his shoulder, a bolt of awareness shooting through him at the small contact.
"Maker," he was like a randy boy. It had, of course, been sometime since he'd bedded a woman, but with Andraste as his witness, until Kirkwall and the pretty gems the city seemed to hold, he hadn't felt the need to. His vow of chastity had been amongst one of the easier ones to keep until this blasted city.
Pulling his head up, Sebastian turned to meet her sparkling eyes and sinful curves. His traitorous body responded. Instantly every muscle tightened at the sight of her. The robe she wore was pure white, the bodice a corset made of silk. Unlike the previous emerald slip she had donned, this one kept her completely covered from the neck down, but it sat so tight around her that he could see the little buds of her generous breasts, jutting out toward him, beckoning him. Maker! Have mercy on him, no breast band! Licking his chapped lips, Sebastian could taste the saltiness of the cold sweat that had broken over his upper lip. His gaze slid down to the skirt of her virginal dress. Finding more skin tight silk that hugged her lushly, plumped hips, and then flared out hitting the snowy cobblestoned street. An intricate, purple pattern of hawk flew from the bottom right side of the skirt, its head rested upon her hip. The great beast's wings wrapped around the front and back in a sweet embrace. Her lavish cloak was the same deep purple as the detailed hawk on her skirt and was fastened at her slender neck with a sparkling crystal jewel. Its hood framed her round face loosely, allowing pieces of her beautiful hair to tumble out from beneath. The breeze gently blew her fiery curls here and there
"Knight-Commander?" She asked, waving her gloved hand in front of his face. Sebastian blinked furiously attempting to clear the fog from his head.
"Lady Hawke." He greeted politely, if only a tad shaky. "Is something wrong? My men." He reached, trying to get his brain to translate even an ounce of tangible thoughts "have they-"
"No, nothing's wrong Serha." She waved away Sebastian's questions studying him with her inquisitive, gray eyes. "Actually I was looking for you. Aveline, I believe you two have met?"
"Aye ma'am, the guards' woman." Sebastian inclined his head slightly.
"Our guards-CAPTAIN." The strict lady emphasized. "Aveline would bury you up to your neck and stone you to death, if she heard you calling her anything less… And yes, her. She found your gloves at the Inn and asked if I'd return them to you." The petite mage held up Sebastian's riding gloves for his inspection. His racing heart stopped dead, cowering in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't even realized he'd lost them. Maker, where had the Guard-Captain found them? Had Aveline seen what he had? The better question was did Lady Hawke know he'd spied on her and her lover? If she did she was very good at hiding it. If she didn't, Sebastian wasn't about to out himself and if she did and preferred to dance around it, then he was more than happy to tango with her.
"Aye Lady Hawke, I do believe your Guard-Captain to be right. They are mine and I'm glad to see them, I've been looking everywhere!"
"Even in dangerous alleyways apparently." She snickered. The sound of it was infectiously sweet, like a siren's call. Her warm smile so different, from the icy wall of a woman he'd met only hours earlier. She closed the gap between them handing Sebastian his gloves. When the wind picked up around them, stray, scarlet tendrils caressed his face, making Sebastian painfully aware of how close they were. Her silky curls smelled of vanilla musk and jasmine, spiced with burnt caramel. Heady and mysterious like the woman it lingered on, a hypnotic poison to his already cracked senses.
"Thank ye'." He whispered. His brogue was foreign. His ears pulsed, his throat went dry. With just her scent his body begged his brain to pin her to the ground, right there in the snowy streets and fuck her, she'd squeal for him, as he ravaged her she'd whine his name beautifully. "Maker, maybe I am the animal she believes me to be." Sebastian shamed himself, his hands shaking with his inner war.
"You're welcome Serha. What kind of hostess would I be if one of my patrons lost their hands to frost bite on my watch?" She winked at him playfully; completely unaware of what she was doing to him. Oblivious to the fact that he was on the lunatic fringe, of the danger he potentially posed to her. Sebastian wished she'd insult him. Her sudden sweetness was only aiding her ability to systematically dismantle him. "Anyways, I'm sure you have much to do with a city full of rebel mages to corral. So with Aveline's request met, I'll take my leave of you." Her curtsy shot another fleeting moment of recognition through him, though much to Sebastian's irritation he couldn't yet recall why. "Good day Commander Vael." She called over her cloaked shoulder. He should let her go, let her leave him to regain his senses. He needed to find the chantry and seek forgiveness for being a man of great weakness in the face of temptation.
But…. He was a very, VERY weak man. He grabbed her upper arm to halt her, and knew he'd made a mistake when he felt her body go rigid under his light touch. Sharply, she yanked away whirling on him, her eyes shifted from dull grey to an unnatural blue, a bizarre, icy glow he hadn't expected. Sebastian backed away from her, not wanting her to feel caged by him. Had she sensed his barbaric inclinations?
"Mrs. Hawke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you." Idiot! Just let her leave, before you ruin yourself! Tell her good day, and be on your way. Sebastian's keener mind railed at him. "I only meant to ask, since you seem to know the city so well, if you know where I might find the Knight-Vigilant?" Damned FOOL! "And if I haven't already impeded too much on your hospitality, I'd like to know if you'd accompany me?" He said instead, attempting again, to charm her, a toothy smile curling the corners of his mouth.
"You don't scare me you foolish Templar! I just don't appreciate men who don't understand personal space." She growled at him, but her stone like posture began to relax, the supernatural glow in her eyes dissipating. "You're the Knight-Commander, of this sector, and you have to ask the enemy where to find your own Knight-Vigilant? Oh! That's brilliant!" She mocked, laughing at him, but relented, brushing past him. "Well come on if you're coming. I don't have all day to play tour guide!" Sebastian couldn't help but to smile like a fool boy at her purple, cloaked back before jogging to catch up with her brisk pace.
7-7-7
Marian knew she was acting childish by forcing Sebastian to chase her, but it felt so damned good to know the handsome Vael was struggling for once. That it was because of her that he struggled, only added to Marian's sick delight. She smiled inwardly. Brushing her hand over the spot where he'd grabbed her arm. The jolt of electricity she'd felt, all the way through her cloak and robe had startled her. In an instant she'd been seventeen all over again, except this time she had her magic completely under control. The white, hot electricity between them had nothing to do with magic. It was animalistic, raw…Equal parts erotic and frightening. Frantic, uncertainty had made her nerve endings fire, her body responded with a flood of heat that pooled at the apex betwixt her thighs. When she had turned to face him, she wasn't sure if she'd take him down to the snow and mount him like wanton whore, or if she'd blast him with an ice spike. It had really been up in the air. His charm gave her pause, and Gods, she actually wanted to help the man!
With a sigh she slowed her pace, Sebastian's long strides quickly slowing to match hers. They walked in silence, neither sure what to say to each other. In the absence of distraction, Marian glanced about Hightown's slow, market square. Her blood quickly turned to frozen sludge in her veins, courtesy of the arctic stares she was receiving from the citizens of Hightown. Oh how it must look to them. Marian sighed inwardly, their Champion and Viscountess, canoodling with the enemy. Way to be a leader Hawke.
"You feel the scornful looks too then?" Sebastian asked, as if he'd read her mind.
"How do you want them to look at you, Serha? Do you think they should look to you with devout worship? You're here; you and your men, to take their freedom from under them?" Marian kept her words clipped, her tone diplomatic, not wanting to seem irrational.
"You keep talking about oppression Lady Hawke, but the Divine hasn't sent her faithful here to take your free Kirkwall, we've been sent only to inquire."
"Pfft!" Marian scoffed, rolling her eyes at him. "If you truly believe the Divine has sent you for an inquiry, then you sir are more delusional than I assumed. Look around Messere," She said, sweeping her arm about the market square. It sparkled beautifully, the sun reflecting off all the pure white, Templar armor. "You and I both know four-thousand Templar soldiers, with more set to dock before the weeks out, do NOT spell inquiry. Justinia's fixing to take Kirkwall by force. Don't think me, or the fine people of this city, too simple to see a coming attack, especially when it's so openly tossed in front of us." She paused. Letting her words sink in, watching his brilliant eyes as they scanned the market. "You and your men are scorned, not because you bear the swords of Andraste on your chests, but because you're trying to save people who are happy as they are, and don't want, nor need to be saved!"
To Marian's pleasure, they'd finally made it to the Knight-Vigilant's commandeered mansion. She turned toward Sebastian, watching intently as his eye's locked upon the heavy cedar door in front of them. She heard the whispered curse roll off his tongue, as his arm rose shakily toward the crest engraved into the dark, stained wood.
"Is something wrong, Serha?" She questioned. Knowing full well what it was that had the Knight-Commander shaking as if he'd seen a ghost.
"How? I don't-." He paused looking toward Marian. "The Vael Crest?" He breathed. Beautiful, turquoise eyes searched her for answers.
"Aye, so you know it then?" Marian tried to keep her voice passive, not wanting to reveal how much she knew about the mansion and the bitter man that had once lived with in.
"Know it? Of course I know it! I keep one just like it close to my heart, as a reminder of my family and home." Marian watched, as he brought his big hand to rest over his heart, were she assumed the crest lay. "What I can't figure out is why it's engraved on a door in Kirkwall?" She eyed him skeptically, surely he'd seen the list of rebels to be captured, she had, how could he not have?
"Perhaps a Vael owns this grand mansion?" Feigning disinterest, Marian shrugged as she looked upon the huge stone structure.
"My lady, my family was butchered years ago, right down to the smallest babe. I'm the only remaining Vael and I assure you, as stunning as it is, I do not own this mansion."
"Knight-Commander, I've been living in Kirkwall for a very, VERY long time. So long in fact, I know pretty much every person that resides in the city by name and face." At that moment Marian made her decision, the longing... The hope that flashed in Sebastian's eyes, made it impossible for her to not tell him the truth. "Commander Vael, this house belongs to your kin I assure you of that. Though obviously with your Knight-Vigilant inside, it doesn't any longer. That would be terribly awkward for Gabriel if he did… I assume." She rambled, losing her bravado. Another habit she had when she was nervous.
"Didn't you hear me you daft woman? My family was butchered! Every last one of them!" Just like that, Marian saw red. No one had ever been able to steer Marian's emotions like Sebastian could. His harsh dismissal of her honesty was like the lash of nine-tail whip.
"Why would I need to lie to you, Serha? What would I gain by telling you false information about your family? I know of the tragedy that visited the Vaels. But I assure you Gabriel Vael is alive and well, I've known him as a gentleman and friend." She said, trying to posture her temper, knowing how shocking the information she tossed at him must be.
"NO!" Sebastian snarled, before she cut him off with an annoyed wave of her hand.
"Yes! Have you even bothered to go back to Starkhaven, to see the state with which your home is in?" Marian asked. Insulted he thought her a liar.
"I. No I don't. I didn't-"
"Of course you didn't." She spat at him. "You've been so busy saving the world from "rebel" mages; you haven't bothered to check in on the disrepair of your own homeland! If you had, you likely would have learnt your father had gotten wind of the coming attack on your family. He sent Gabriel here to Kirkwall, as a guarantee the Vael line would continue its rule if the inevitable happened." Marian paused, his still skeptical gaze, finally ruptured the restraints she held on her fiery tongue. "Rumor has it you funded Flint Company's demise as revenge for your family Commander Vael? Admirable, but you certainly are not the man you believe yourself to be. If you were, you wouldn't keep yourself hidden behind the Divine's skirts, while your countrymen flounder. Or allow your Knight-Vigilant to hunt for your own brother's head, simply because he's not blinded by the chantry's old fashioned teachings. None of it matters though Commander, you see while you've cowered in your glorious Orlais, the people here in Kirkwall who truly care for Gabriel and his children have made certain they made it out of the city in time. At least now he's safe from you!" Marian was nearly screaming; her rant halted only because of the spectacle she was becoming. Her whole body shook; the magic beneath her skin sparking. Bloody Templar! Her furious mind hissed, pinning Sebastian with her displeased gaze.
7-7-7
Sebastian listened, considering how much of her raving to believe. Being a Templar he'd seen how cunning mages could be at manipulating the emotions of a weak man, with half-truths for their own purposes and the Lady Hawke could be doing exactly that. He'd heard nothing of Gabriel; if his brother were alive he would have sent word to Sebastian. It was inconceivable that a man as intelligent and respected as his brother had allowed himself to be swayed to support treason against the chantry. Gabriel was likely turning in his grave at the accusation. So then the Hawke woman was lying… But what in the Black Divine did she hope to accomplish by doing so?
"If Gabriel is truly alive and well, he and his chil…" Sebastian tried to clear the lump from his throat… He could be an uncle?! "Children would never have reason to fear me." Sebastian said, carefully watching Mrs. Hawke's face. "He would know that, but if you tell me where I could find him, I'll be happy to reassure him myself." Instantly, the brazen mage's face shuttered closed against his probing gaze.
"Forgive me Knight-Commander, but in truth I cannot say."
"Cannot," He asked. "Or will not?"
"Either one amounts too much the same thing doesn't it?" She smoothed the deep purple hawk with her finger tips, being sure the beast still lay elegantly and unruffled against her hip. "I suppose here is where I'll be taking my leave of you, Serha. I do believe this conversation has face planted hard, into the proverbial brick wall, with your refusal to believe the truth, and your certainty that I'm lying. I don't see a need to stand here and be further insulted by you." Sebastian watched her sweep her gaze to the Vael crest. "I'm sure your Knight-Vigilant, will be plundering great riches from your brother's home. I certainly hope you'll still be able to hold your head so high and mighty, while you watch many of your family's priceless heirlooms taken as souvenirs or simply destroyed. Looking back to Sebastian she curtsied and then turned from him without saying another word. This time he let her go, watching her skirt gently sweep the soft snow. His mind swirled with her bitter tasting words.
"You've done well, Knight-Commander, very well!" said Knight-Vigilant Cullen, as he leaned back in what Sebastian recognized to be his father's favorite chair. Cullen folded his hands over his armored stomach before continuing. "The Wounded Coast was a capital choice. I applaud you for suggesting it. We've taken Kirkwall with incredible ease and left her harbors open for more of our fleet to join us. He chuckled, his brown eyes glancing around the room, past Sebastian, with smug pleasure. "And I ask you Commander, have you ever seen more handsome quarters? A mansion fit for a gentleman. Even for a chantry gentleman eh?"
Sebastian nodded curtly, not trusting himself to say or do more. The mansion the Knight-Vigilant commandeered for his headquarters was the grandest in town as was proper. The pale winter sun filtered through tall windows that were draped with emerald curtains and matched the coverings of the chairs they sat in. The mahogany tea table to his left had a beautiful translucent porcelain tea set lined with gold. His mother's best china filled two tall cupboards that flanked either side of the stone fireplace; its mantle piece was the finest woodwork in Kirkwall. As was the cedar stairway in the front hallway, where candles had already been lit in the polished brass fixtures. Without doubt, the mansion was as fit for the Knight-Vigilant, as it was for Starkhaven's royalty, the best of everything. As it should be, Sebastian thought grimily, as it must be.
"Pity to think all this was being wasted on a mage sympathizer," continued Cullen. "Too bad we didn't manage to catch the black rogue eh? I would have packed him off to Val Royeux for trial myself. His name was Vael too. Kin of yours you think?"
"Aye," Sebastian said as evenly as he could. "My brother." Maker, be damned, the Hawke woman had spoken true. How could a man who'd served the chantry with such devout faith as his brother had, a man who'd fought under the flaming swords of Andraste – Now join with rebel mages? Unconsciously Sebastian gripped the curved arm of his chair, struggling to control the emotions that burned hot within him. The Knight-Vigilant's gaze wandered beyond the top of Sebastian's head, his eyes lighting up when they fell upon whatever it was that caught his attention.
"By Andraste! Do you think that fine bow would look good mounted above the mantle in my personal parlor? There's a ship sailing back to Orlais tomorrow. I think that bow; with the ruby crest would be a perfect souvenir in my home, indeed." Sebastian twisted in his chair to look over his shoulder, more to mask his feelings than to actually appraise the bow. It was well known among the other Templar officers, that though Cullen had strict policies against looting, he himself wasn't above helping himself. His sticky fingers were often joked about around the officer's table. But this time when the other men joked, Sebastian wouldn't be among them laughing. Not when it was his grandfather's prized bow being stolen. Damnation if Gabriel left such an important Vael heirloom behind, then that could only mean he'd fled with nothing but the clothes on his back. "Yes I do believe that bow will be the perfect compliment to my parlor." Cullen was saying. Slowly Sebastian turned back in his chair. How the Lady Hawke must be laughing by now. Her shifty gray-blue eyes were probably sparkling with laughter at his expense. She'd been right about his brother, had been right about the Knight-Vigilant and he'd been appallingly wrong about everything. What an arrogant, ignorant fool he must have seemed to her!
Abruptly he shoved back his chair and rose. "I'm certain that bow will make a fine mantle piece." He said with a curt bow. "But if you'll excuse me, Knight-Vigilant, there are many other matters that need my attention." Cullen's brows rose toward the blond curls on top of his head with mild surprise.
"I'd say that such matters are my decision sir, not yours." He waved his hand back toward the chair. "And I say you stay until I dismiss you, unless you find my company suddenly intolerable eh?" It was all the reprimand Sebastian needed. He'd always been known as a mild man, one who kept his temper in check. At least he had been before now. Swiftly he bowed again and sat. Mentally cursing the Lady Hawke who had let him make such a fool of himself. Maybe if she'd been more honest with him. If only she hadn't been so coy, then perhaps-. "You'd do well to watch yourself Vael." Continued Cullen, subtly replacing the good- natured calm in the air, to something harder and sharper. Putting Sebastian on his guard immediately.
"Sir." Said Sebastian, the only pathetic answer he could possibly give.
"Sir yourself Commander and listen to me." Impatiently Cullen drummed his fingers on the desk. "You know I trust you Vael. You've been with me for more years than I care to count. Not once have you given me cause to doubt your loyalty."
"Yes sir," Sebastian said stiffly, already guessing what was coming next. "Thank you, sir."
"Why else do you think I made you my second here, eh? But there are plenty of others here who say otherwise and I can't fault them for it." He leaned forward his gaze shrewd and appraising. "You don't want me in this house, do you Commander? You're thinking I don't belong here and your thinking of that black, rogue brother of yours instead of your Divine."
"But sir I can-."
"No, sir, you hear me out." Ordered Cullen each word cracking with authority. "I was sent here to put down this foolish mage rebellion and by the Maker I plan to do it. But how can I be expected to subdue the damn rebels, when I've someone among my own regiment who seems to sympathize with the bloody mages we've come here to subdue?"
Sebastian inhaled sharply. "Are you challenging my faith and honor, as well as my loyalty to the Maker?"
"And have it said that I called out my own second?" Cullen retorted. "I'm too clever for that nonsense Vael and so are you. But what else will people think? You turned your back on Starkhaven in your people's time of need, for the chantry without as much as a backwards glance. Who's to say you won't do the same to the chantry now?" Sebastian lunged forward, the rank between him and Cullen forgotten. His long simmering temper finally boiling over, He struck both fists hard down on the desk, inches away from the Knight-Vigilant's face.
"I say it, and to the black void with any man who dares to say otherwise!"
"How dare you-"
"Sweet Andraste Cullen, if you slander me and then can't explain your meaning any better than that, then I-"
"Remember yourself Vael," barked Cullen. "At once!" The order stamped out Sebastian's anger immediately. Years of training raced to silence him. Orders were to be followed any good solider knew that.
So what the hell was he doing now? What in the Black Divine was Kirkwall doing to him? Two steps behind Sebastian Cullen's guards rushed through the doors bows nocked at him… At him! In that moment he realized how close he was to facing a court-martial and the end of everything he'd worked so hard for. He jerked his hands back from the table as if he'd been burned. Shaking his head in disbelief, appalled by his hotheaded actions. Sebastian drew himself up as tall as he could, his eyes staring impassively ahead.
"Forgive me sir. I do not know what came over me. I vow it will not happen again."
"Your damn right it won't." Furiously Cullen glared at him, waving the guards away. "Your show here only proves I'm right to doubt your allegiance!"
"But sir I assure you that-"
"I don't want your assurances Vael!" Snapped Cullen, his face turning purple with his rage. "I want your loyalty. Watch yourself; watch every last step you take, because I'll be watching too, and next time an outburst like that, will break you. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly sir, said Sebastian. This time when he bowed to take his leave Cullen didn't stop him. "Good day sir." Instead of feeling relief at having escaped punishment Sebastian continued to burn with anger. He stalked through the emptying streets like a wild animal, ignoring the glares from the citizens who lingered about. By the time he made it back to the Rose he felt close to strangling, with blind fury and frustration. The winter sun had set and supper would soon be served, but the thought of sitting down to eat with his men, was more than he could stomach. He turned towards the stable, ordering the black stallion that he'd brought from Orlais, to be saddled.
"Now what shall I fetch the others, Commander?" Asked the stable hand, trying to look around Sebastian. "How many more will be riding with you?"
Sebastian swung himself into the saddle. "There are no others." He said gathering the reins "I'll be riding alone." The stable hand stared at him, shock bleeding from the boy's hazel eyes.
"Alone sir?"
"Alone." Sebastian repeated turning the stud toward the street. He understood the stable hands shock. Sebastian carried no weapon, wore his polished white armour that marked him a Templar and would stand out wherever he went. But tonight Sebastian was as mad as a hatter. Lunatic fringe, Vael. As soon as he reached the edge of town, he let his mount have its head, urging the beast to race faster into the darkness, until at last he came to a rocky, outcropping near the sea, known as The Green Dales. He jerked the tired horse to a halt. Here he was alone at last he could think. Staring out beyond the rocks and waves, Sebastian pulled off his helm, letting the salt filled wind from the water whip against his face, clearing the confusion in his thoughts.
He'd been shocked to learn after all these years his brother lived, of course he'd been shocked who could blame him for that? Then to find out Gabriel not only lived, but sided against the chantry? He'd been surprised. Aye, surprise that was it, that's what made him act out so foolishly. His brother's decision to embrace rebel mages was unfortunate. It seemed that doing so had brought about Gabriel's ruin, but that was no reason for Sebastian to destroy himself. His duty was to protect the devout followers of the Maker against the tyranny of magic. Sebastian's duty was to the Maker first and the rest would follow. With Cullen he had let his reason and his judgment become clouded. He must not let it happen again.
Sebastian's stallion began to dance nervously beneath him, bouncing from hoof to hoof. Pulling Sebastian from his thoughts to pat the beast's neck, "easy boy," Sebastian tried to sooth. "Calm your-" Before Sebastian could get the last of his words out he felt the feathered fletching and the searing whistle of an arrow, as it skimmed his ear, just barely grazing him. Sebastian pulled hard on the reins to wheel the frightened horse away from the sea. It was then he heard the whispered hiss of the second arrow being nocked, the hollow whistling of the arrow as it sailed through the air and then he felt the sharp, sudden bolt of pain rip through his chest as the arrowhead hit it's target. He dug his spurred heels into the stud's sides, bending low over the animal's neck, steering it towards Kirkwall, while making himself as small of a target as he could.
Sebastian cursed again at his own carelessness, struggling to control the great, frightened beast below him. Red and white spots flooded his rapidly blurring vision. His pulse weakened, his pierced heart fighting to stay pumping. His breaths became more ragged, until mercifully, divine blackness took him.