Cullen and Nadia urged their horses as far and fast as they could go before they wore them and themselves out. Nadia had erected a barrier around them to try and shield them from the rain, but it took a lot of energy out of her to maintain it. They had cut three days travel time off their journey but were still over a week away.

As they slowed the horses down and looked for a dry spot where they could make camp, Nadia spotted a cave nearby. They hurried over and Cullen dismounted to take a look inside. Nadia lit a torch for him and he took it into the cave and found that it was a shallow, empty cave big enough for a small platoon. Nadia dismounted and led the horses inside, then turned and used her magik to create a wall of rock to close them inside the cave, hidden away from the rain and potential darkspawn or bandits that may be in the area.

As Cullen started a fire, Nadia set their bags near him, then set about taking the saddles and other gear off of the horses. Setting them next to their bags to dry by the fire, Nadia took out a couple of apples and gave them to the horses before she healed the small abrasions and blisters on their hides.

"Sorry for pushing you two so hard. You did good, though. Now take it easy and get some sleep." she said stroking the horses' noses. They huffed and nuzzled her, grateful for the treat and the healing.

Nadia went to join Cullen by the fire as he laid out their bedrolls. She shivered in her cold, wet clothes.

"We should, uh, get out of these wet clothes," Cullen suggested, blushing.

Nadia nodded. "Are the blankets at least dry?"

Cullen nodded. "Yes, and so are the bed rolls, thank the Maker, and our other clothes."

Nadia shivered again. "Let's hurry and get out of these clothes, then. We can't afford to catch a cold."

Cullen nodded and turned his back as Nadia turned hers and began to strip off his armor and clothes. Nadia stripped out of her clothes and boots and set them next to the fire to dry. She caught a glimpse behind her as she pulled her dress over her head and blushed when she saw Cullen standing- back still to her- naked. She never realized how toned his muscles were. She grabbed her clothes and quickly dressed before she began grabbing Cullen's clothes. Blushing, she laid the underclothes, pants, and tunic over his shoulder and looked away as he turned to thank her. When Cullen looked behind him, blushing a bit himself, he saw Nadia bright as a cherry as she sat down and busied herself with the bedrolls and blankets. He quickly got into the dry clothes and went to join Nadia by the fire.

As they sat there in silence for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the fire, Nadia lay back and pulled the blanket over her shoulders. She turned to face away from Cullen, trying to think things over. She wanted to tell him how she felt, how much he meant to her, but she didn't want to be toyed with, not again.

"Nadia?"

She pretended to be asleep, not wanting to really discuss things with Cullen until they figured things out. Behind her, Cullen sighed and lay back, sensing she simply didn't want to talk. He settled in and stared up at the stone ceiling of the cave. He hoped the weather picked up in the morning, and that perhaps Nadia would be more willing to talk to him.

The rain had finally cleared up and the sky was beginning to go from dark gray to blue gray. Nadia had made them breakfast and packed their things while Cullen fed and readied the horses for travel. Once they were ready, they mounted up and headed out as Nadia dissipated the stone wall she had created. They rode hard until they reached Redcliffe Village where they fed the horses, rested them for a bit, restocked their supplies, and readied to head out again. When they rounded the southeastern part of Lake Calenhad and passed through Lothering, they were a little taken back when they saw the ruins and the decay from when the village had been overtaken by darkspawn during the last Blight over ten years ago. The people who once lived there could have come back and rebuilt, but from the state of what was left of the village it was best that they didn't. Quickly passing through the small village, they started making their up along the West Road and were glad to have shaved off another three days from their travels. Thank the Maker for their horses.

"Cullen, since we're traveling along the West Road, why don't we stop by South Reach first?" Nadia asked, looking at her map and realizing how close they were.

Cullen looked at her. "Are you sure?"

Nadia nodded. "It'll be just another day's ride or two from here and we can rest the horses before we press on. Thanks to this breed of horses, we've been able to nearly cut our travel time in half. If we stop in South Reach, it'll be two weeks normally to reach Highever, however, at our current rate of travel, we should be able to reach there within eight to ten days."

Cullen smiled. "If you're sure, then let's stop there. We can stop by my sister's home while we're there."

Nadia folded the map and put it away. "Then it's settled. Once we reach South Reach, we'll rest there for a few days and let the horses recuperate. Sound good?"

Cullen nodded. "Always."

They pressed onward, hoping to reach South Reach soon.

Children laughed and ran around the yard as their parents watched nearby. One of the children looked up and pointed just down the road. "Mama, look!"

Rosalie Rutherford stood and went to the gate, looking out at the road. "Branson, we have travelers!" She called to her brother. She stepped out onto the road and stared in disbelief. "Branson, Mia! Come look who it is!

Her brother and sister came down to meet her and stared in surprise as Cullen and Nadia rode up to the house on horses. Cullen waved to his siblings and jumped out of his saddle when the horses slowed.

"Cullen?" Rosalie asked.

"Hello, sister," Cullen replied with a smile. "It has been far too long."

Rosalie ran to her brother and threw her arms around him. "Oh, Cullen, it's so good to see you!"

Cullen embraced his sister and smiled. "It's good to see you, too."

"Now, now, Rosalie, save some of our dear brother for us," Mia said, smiling.

Rosalie stepped back and smiled. "Sorry."

"We're all excited to see our ever-elusive brother back home after so many years," Branson said, chuckling.

Mia hugged her brother and stepped back as Branson took his turn. "It has been too long, Cullen."

"Forgive me, but I have been busy," Cullen said, chuckling.

Branson stepped back and chuckled. "Yes, as a Templar and as the Commander of the Inquisition. You have been busy indeed, saving the world."

Cullen clapped his brother on the shoulder and smiled. "Well, saving the world would keep anyone busy."

Branson smiled, then looked behind Cullen as Nadia slid out of her saddle. "And it would seem you have a companion with you?"

Cullen looked at Nadia and smiled. "This is Nadia Cousland. She's a good friend of mine."

Nadia bowed her head. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you. Cullen has told me much about you."

"Wait, you're a Cousland? Does that mean you know Queen Elissa?" Rosalie asked.

"Aye, Queen Elissa is my cousin," Nadia said.

"Well, now, there's something you don't get to hear every day," Branson said. "What ended you up with this poor sod?" He jested, smirking at his brother.

"Cullen and I first met at the Circle of Fereldan, but we've been working with the Inquisition for several years now," Nadia said.

"How'd you end up in the Inquisition?" Mia asked.

Nadia looked at her. "That's a long story."

"Perhaps one better suited for over dinner?" Rosalie suggested.

Cullen nodded. "We'd love to stay for dinner."

"Perhaps Nadia can help me?"

"If you'd have me, then of course. It would be my pleasure to assist you."

Mia and Rosalie gathered the children and led Nadia inside while Cullen and Branson took care of the horses.