That night I didn't sleep. Partly from the frazzling events that happened just hours ago and partly because of the haunting words of the voice regarding my Father. The man who raised me being killed because I chose someone who I barely knew. Part of me didn't even believe that my Father could be killed. The man was even better than I was at evading and hiding. I wanted to go to my old home. To check to make sure that my Father was actually okay and alive. But, part the more insistent, stubborn part of me didn't want to. After all he's done to me. All he made me do…does he really deserve my worry? He is my Father though…the man who raised me. Who taught me how to read and fight. The man who was all the family I had left. Leliana had reassured me my Father would be safe. So why didn't I believe her? Why did something about the voice's words still haunt me? Shifting my position on the uncomfortable roof I moved the bow I'd found in the armory and quiver of arrows at my hip ready to strike anything that came near the Heralds cabin. My eyes drift closed, but I flinched awake at the memory of being underneath the ice replaying behind my eye lids. The burning in my lungs, his form just above me trying to free me. His frantic assaults on the ice-
"Ow." I muttered when my hand all of the sudden flashed up. Glaring down at the sparkling green hand I then shoved into my cloak and looked away towards Cullen's tent. I felt a pang of guilt punch me in the stomach at the thought of him. How right he'd been when he accused me. Maker knows I deserved every word he'd thrown at me. What are you hiding from us? He'd been so angry. I'd done that and, now thanks to Leli, I was partially proud of making him so angry. Controlled Commander Cullen losing his temper. Perhaps I was that good. Or maybe I just knew how to get under his skin specifically. But his words had got me thinking, perhaps I should tell them. Let them all know what was going on before it got out of hand. Well, any more than it already has. No, if I did I'd only make them distrust me…well distrust me more than they already do and that wouldn't be beneficial to anyone. Pinching the bridge of my nose I sighed. The note my Father had sent me said that they were after the assassins…why would they not try and kill me? Why trap the Herald instead? What could they possibly gain from that? Why toy with me? It just didn't make any sense. I practically gift wrapped myself and they gave me a choice…was it to show where my allegiance lies now? Or was it to show me they could get to anyone close to me? I didn't know. Obviously such things were beyond my paygrade…if I even have a paygrade now.
Rolling my eyes I shifted to a lying position and watched as the sun rose from the behind the mountains, illuminating the town before me. Just below I heard the townspeople wake. I looked at them all walking around and grimaced lightly at their oblivious way of carrying on with their lives. They didn't seem to care about the Breach in the sky, the Herald's near death experience or the fact that their lives were reliant on that same person not dying. They all just seemed to be the happy villagers following the same procedure they did every day. I wish my life would be that simple. Sliding from the roof I walked over to my cabin and opened the creaky wooden door. Pacing about for a moment I thought about the mission at hand. We had to travel to Val Royeaux, speak to the Sisters, and then somehow convince them to help us or at least hear us out. I tossed the bow and quiver onto my bed and walked over to my chest. Grabbing the travel bag I grabbed clothing that Leli had so kindly ordered for me and stuffed them in without order. My hands stopped as they grazed over the presents' satin bow and I opened it slowly to pick up the wristlets with their hidden blades. So ornate and beautiful, yet mutely dangerous. Perfect weapon for an assassin. Longingly I held the wristlets and thought of my Mother. She's want me to wear these in her memory, wouldn't she? Or would she want a better life for me? One that meant completely moving past my assassin days. How could I know? Father had said she'd wanted me to have them, but for what purpose? To use or as a reminder of what I left? But then again, Mother couldn't have possibly meant the latter. She was long dead when I left. I brought them to my lips and kissed them before placing them back into the box. My eyes caught sight of my old ring, the seal of the Guild of Assassins winking at me. It felt like it was almost calling for me, begging me to place it back on my finger. Picking it up, I stared at the ring intently and slid it onto my finger gingerly. It felt right, like it was meant to be on my finger all along. Abruptly a knock came at the door and I wheeled around realizing I'd never closed it and saw Solas standing in the doorway. I hid my hands inconspicuously behind my back and tugged the ring off before dropping it in the box.
"My apologies for startling you." He apologized and I smiled to him as I shut the chest.
"Quite alright, Solas." I replied with a smile. "What can I assist you with?" I asked kindly and he nodded as he looked around the room slowly.
"It is not as much as what you can assist me with as it is what I can assist you with." He replied as he tipped his head towards me. Staring at the elf I took register of everything I knew about him and found myself a bit troubled to find the list short. Apostate, knows about the Fade, bald, smart. There was a cunning look in his eyes as he looked me over that made me think he was doing the same.
"Is it about my mark?" I asked hopefully as I looked down at my hand. This thing saved my life and Cullen's life. Obviously it was useful, and if I could wield it properly…
"Yes, I believe it is." He said as he tapped his chin. "I was thinking over the events of last night. Your mark saved you from drowning underneath that lake. Did you do that on purpose?" He asked his eyes watching me as I looked down at the marked palm.
"I wish I could say yes. But, no, it just did it. All on its own." I sighed, but saw the spark of interest flash across Solas's face.
"Interesting. How did you feel right before it happened?" He asked as he leant against the door frame. I leant against the bed post and lifted an eye brow at him.
"You are asking me how I felt when I was drowning." I stated incredulously. He couldn't be serious, I was terrified and he just wanted me to admit that? I couldn't just say that out loud! He nodded,
"I understand. Pardon my intrusiveness, it is just that I had a hypothesis about what could be triggering your mark." He said a slight smile creasing his lips as he held the tip of his forefinger to his lips. I nodded for him to go on. "I believe it is triggered by emotion. Perhaps fear? Both times you have used your mark it has been to either save your life or someone else's. I was thinking perhaps it was fear of dying or fear of someone else dying around you." He added making me think it over. Maybe it was right? But, Maker I hope not. Fear was one of the hardest things I have to come to terms with. My father drilled into me that assassins do not fear. To admit that I'm afraid, or was afraid or even worse to have to acknowledge it every time I wanted to use my mark…that would suck.
"If this is correct, then would that mean that I am only able to use my mark in those situations?" I asked hoping that he would say no. If I could use it to, I don't know what to call it, maybe jump across places that would give me a serious advantage in both the Herald and keeping myself alive.
"I do not know. Although, I have theorized that you if you can somehow replicate those feelings you could use it whenever you wish. But, I believe the hard part lies within replicating those emotions." He said as his eyes fell on my hand at my side.
"Yeah, no kidding." I huffed and looked up to him with a smile. "Any thoughts on how exactly to do that?" I asked and he smiled and waved his hand for me to follow him and I did. Closing the door behind me, I walked with Solas slowly through Haven.
"Like I said, I believe it is your emotions that triggered the mark. I would assume a way to make it so you could control it would be to remember or relive the experience to which your mark reacted." I grimaced at the suggestion I could just almost drown again, in a controlled environment of course. Or I could try to get Cullen nearly killed again. Shaking my head I looked down at my palm. "Or you could wait until another instance happens where those emotions arise again. That way you don't have to do anything too unpleasant." He added with a soft smile and I grinned at him.
"Yeah, I'm not too keen on those other options." I replied as we turned the corner of the tavern and looked towards the walkway as I saw Cullen trekking up towards the Tavern. He looked tired, his hair only slightly out of place as he made his way up, but something was missing off of him. It suddenly struck me that I still had his cloak.
"I imagine." Solas said and I turned to him with a smile. "But, once you understand it and are able to replicate it I can help you better control it." He added offering me a short smile. "If you wish that is." He added.
"Yes! That would be great. Any help you can offer me with this thing would be much appreciated. Thank you, Solas. I am afraid however I must get back to packing for our trip for Val Royeaux. Thank you so much for speaking with me." I said and walked off back towards my cabin. I didn't want to speak with Cullen yet. I wasn't angry anymore, but I thought he might still be. He also did call me out on keeping secrets and hiding things from them, which means I need to space myself from him. He can't figure out what's going on, if he does that drags him into it and I don't need any more lives on my plate. Leliana was unavoidable, but I'll be damned if I bring any more of these good people into my messed up life. Especially since whoever these people were, were clearly able to get inside the camp unnoticed. Who knows what else they're capable of? Like killing Father… My shoulders dropped at the thought, and chose instead to focus on packing my bag. I grabbed a water canteen and stationary along with a quill and ink. Placing them not so delicately in my bag I slung it onto the bed. Pulling my cloak back around me I made out for Leliana's tent thinking she just might have a job for me when I was out. I walked into her tent and she turned her head towards me as she leant against her desk.
"Good morning, Lady Protector." She greeted as I stepped into her tent and leant against her tent post. "How are you feeling?" She asked with a small smile. I nodded to her as I shot a grin in her direction.
"Never better. You?" I asked and saw her turn back to the map before her and waved me over.
"I will be better once I figure this out." She replied as I strode over to her and looked down at her map. On it I saw there were numerous little red pins in the map of Thedas. "I have had scouts scouring Fereldan and not one has found anything on the image we saw at the Temple of Sacred Ashes." Shrugging my shoulders I turned and leant against the table.
"I mean, Leli I know you're the best, but it wasn't a lot to go off of." I said as I crossed my arms over my chest. Looking around her room I noticed it was particularly messy for Leliana. She was usually very neat, neat was good. This however, was very unusual and that had me worried.
"I know. But someone has to know something, but so far nothing." She hissed as she stared down at the table. "How could the Maker let this happen to her? She was the best of us, Quinn." I sighed and looked down at the ground.
"I know Leli. I miss her too." She turned to me and I placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know I never asked you Leli, but are you alright? I know her death took a toll on you." I added noticing the faint lines of fatigue under her eyes. She looked to me with a smile and nodded,
"I…We have more pressing uses, maybe we can discuss this another time. I actually wished to speak with you about something else. A few months ago the Grey Wardens of Fereldan vanished. I sent word to those in Orlais, but they have also disappeared. Ordinarily, I wouldn't consider the idea that they're involved in this, but the timing is…curious." She stated as she stared down at the map before her. "The others have disregarded my suspicion, but I cannot ignore it. Two days ago my agents in the Hinterlands heard news of a Grey Warden by the name of Blackwall. If you have the opportunity I want you to locate him and convince him to join the Inquisition. I think we both know you're the best at that." She finished with a small smile until she saw the smirk on my lips. "Oh don't look so smug. Why else do you think I kept you around?" She asked with an unconvincing glare.
"I thought it was because of my smashing personality and good taste in shoes." I answered nonchalantly emitting a laugh from her.
"Oh yes there's certainly that." She quipped. My attention however, was dragged away from her towards a man who was standing by the Chantry trying to get the attention of some sisters as they walked by, but no one payed him any mind. Leliana noticed as well, looking to me shortly before nodding for me to go check it out. With my cloak fluttering around me, I walked towards the Chantry doors, the man looked to me and quickly walked up to me. I tilted my head and smiled at him. He was rather good looking guy. Really pretty eyes. What is it with me and eyes?
"Excuse me. I have a message for the Inquisition, but I'm having a hard time getting anyone to talk to me." He said and I lifted an eye brow and nodded,
"That's not hard to believe." I mumbled looking around at the bustling people. "Who are you soldier?" I asked and he stood a bit straighter.
"Cremisius Acclassi, with the Bull's Chargers Mercenary Company. We mostly work out of Orlais and Nevarra. We got word of some Tevinter mercenaries gathering out on the Storm Coast. My company Commander, Iron Bull, offers information free of charge." He said formally and I smiled at the man. I knew of these Chargers. They were good, but their leader was still a bit of an unknown.
"What should I know about your Commander?" I asked and the man smiled back.
"Iron Bull? He's one of those Qunari. The big guys with the horns?" He said and I stifled a laugh at his explanation of his Commander. Cremisius blushed a bit before straightening again. "He leads from the front, he pays well, and he's a lot smarter than the last bastard I worked for. Best of all he's professional. We accept certain contracts with whoever makes the first real offer. You're the first time he's gone out of his way to pick a side." He said, the last portion of his words standing out in my mind. Why would someone like this Iron Bull go out of his way for a so-called heretical group of people when he could take contracts from much wealthier people? I wanted to know more.
"What can your Bull's Chargers offer the Inquisition?" I asked and he crossed his arms over his chest looking proud.
"We're loyal, we're tough, and we don't break contracts. Ask around Val Royeaux, we've got references." I grinned at that these Bull's Chargers were sounding better and better by the minute.
"Why did your Commander send us this information?" I asked making sure I was being thorough so no one could question anything I knew about these people. I also wanted to know everything I could about this Iron Bull before we met him.
"Iron Bull wants to work for the Inquisition. He thinks you're doing good work." He said and I felt an eyebrow lift at that. We hadn't even traveled to Val Royeaux yet and word had already spread about us? Grinning I held my hand out to Cremisius and he took it.
"I look forward to meeting this Iron Bull." Cremisius smiled back and nodded,
"We're the best you'll find. Come to the Storm Coast and you can see us in action." I nodded and released his hand. I smiled at him and nodded as he walked off. I looked after him with a smile as his form retreated from my view. He was nice and not too bad to look at. I paused however when I felt eyes on the back of my neck and I turned to see Cullen staring at me from the staircase. A scout handing him papers as his eyes traveled from me to Cremisius as he walked past him and then back to me. I looked around thinking he might be looking to someone else, but when I looked back he'd already looked away. Leliana walked up to me with a curious look as she watched Cremisius walk past her.
"Cremisius Aclassi. Remember that Merc Company called the Bull's Chargers? We looked into them once, leaders a big Qunari?" I asked her with a smirk as I watched Mr. Aclassi walk off. Leliana nodded as she watched him too. "He's one of them. They want to help the Inquisition. All we have to do is meet up with them in the Storm Coast. I was thinking I would head down to the Hinterlands, find this Grey Warden of yours and then head straight to the Storm Coast. It's about a day and a half trip one way, but it's worth it." I told her as I leant against my back foot.
"…And you want to go there now?" She asked and I nodded, but thought back to the Herald and Val Royeaux.
"What do you think? Do you think the Herald will be alright?" I asked her and saw her look towards the Heralds cabin.
"Cassandra is reliable. She should be able to protect him and they sound very worth the travel so, yes, I think you should go. I shall also keep you posted on the Heralds progress." She said and I looked to Cullen who was walking towards us. "You however should speak with the Herald about this." I nodded and looked back to her when I caught Cullen walked towards us out of the corner of my eye. He looked back at Cremisius Aclassi who was now out of sight before he looked between us.
"Who was that?" He asked and I looked towards Leliana who spoke up.
"Cremisius Aclassi, he's a member of the Bull's Chargers a rather attractive member." Leli filled in and I laughed and shifted my weight.
"I'll say." I agreed and saw Cullen switch his posture uncomfortably as he cleared his throat. Shooting an amused look at Leliana I looked back at Cullen. "He wants the Inquisition to come and see the Chargers in action, and I am going to meet up with them in the Storm Coast. Once I do that, I'll recruit them and bring them back here." He looked in between us,
"You? Alone?" He asked incredulously. His eyes shifting between Leliana as if we'd both lost our minds. "And what of the Herald venturing to Val Royeaux?" He asked seriously making me stand a bit straighter.
"Cassandra is a skilled warrior. I'm sure she can handle one mission without me, plus she will have Solas and Varric with her. All of them together should be able to keep the Herald safe. We just need to take this opportunity. I would travel with Cremisius, but I have another stop along the way I need to make." I told him and he looked from me to Leliana.
"Did you approve of this?" He asked and she crossed her arms,
"I believe it is a good idea. We will be in constant connection about the Heralds mission and if anything goes wrong my scouts in Val Royeaux will be there to get the Herald out safely." She retorted with a look of confusion.
"And what of these Bull's Chargers? We don't know anything about them and with her going alone-." Cullen argued making me pinch the bridge of my nose in annoyance. "It could very possibly go wrong."
"You think it is a trap? This company is honorable from all I've heard about it and their intentions seem that they just wish to speak with us. Besides, the Lady Protector is one of the best fighters I have seen and even better at escaping. She will be fine." Leliana responded dismissively making me blush and shuffle my foot.
"Awe, Leli you're making me blush." I teased her. Cullen looked in between us again before his eyes settled on me.
"I don't care about that. It is still too dangerous for you to venture alone. The Inquisition has many enemies, people who'd want to see your head on a stake." He pointed out looking straight at me.
"Then I'll be careful. I'm good at staying hidden." I shot back at him with a challenging look. He returned the look as he crossed his arms.
"And what happens if you encounter a rift? You cannot close them as we've seen before." He pointed out again, faltering a bit possibly remembering when I tried to close the rift the first time. Clenching my jaw up at him, I shifted my weight as I thought of a perfect response.
"Then I'll try to close it and if I can't then I'll mark it on a map. Now, if we're done here I need to inform the Herald and his party of the new traveling arrangements." I responded flippantly to him and noticed his eyes form into a glare as I walked away towards the front gate tipping my head to Leliana as I passed. She nodded back as she went back into her tent. Jogging down the steps of Haven I walked out towards the stables and noticed them all packing up to leave. Walking over I exhaled quietly and smiled to them.
"Thedran. What are you doing? We are to leave in fifteen minutes." Cassandra greeted with a frown in my direction. I grinned at her,
"Well good morning to you too, Sunshine. There have been a change of plans though. I will not be traveling with you to Val Royeaux. Cremisius Aclassi has approached us from the Bull's Chargers Mercenary Company telling us that their leader the Iron Bull has sought us out. They are an asset that we cannot afford to lose. Therefore, I will be traveling to the Storm Coast while you travel to Val Royeaux." I announced and Cassandra looked a bit taken aback at my words.
"And what of the Herald? You are just going to leave him, unprotected?" She asked incredulously. I looked around at each of them in confusion.
"You, Varric and Solas should be able to protect him while I am taking care of business in the Storm Coast." I replied loudly so all of them could hear. I looked back to Cassandra as she stood in front of me attempting to look intimidating. "Look, I don't like you, but I trust that you are competent enough to not let anything happen to him." I muttered to her and saw her straighten and nod to me with a scowl still lingering on her face before she turned and started packing again. The Herald looked back towards Cassandra before looking to me with a concerned look.
"Is this…because of last night?" He asked, his eyes shrouded with confusion and some of his brown tresses. Lifting an eyebrow at what he was referring to I immediately shook my head.
"No. I just think this is the best way to cover ground. Split up, and get as many allies we can in the shortest amount of time. And you'll be safe. Cassandra, Solas and Varric will make sure of it. Just don't wander off alone, okay?" I asked and he nodded with a short smile.
"Alright. Good luck in the Storm Coast." He offered as he tried to straighten his hair. I shot him a quick smirk.
"Good luck in Val Royeaux." I responded as they saddled their horses. Varric looked to me as he rode by and stopped his horse.
"You gonna be okay on your own, Angel?" He asked as he looked down at me for once. I nodded and shot him a confident grin.
"Are you kidding? You know that's the best way to travel." I returned and watched as rode off behind the Herald with a grin. Solas was the last to pull out of the stables and as he silently rode past he dipped his head to me with a small smile. I returned it and watched from the stalls as they rode from Haven and to Val Royeaux. Be safe.
"Lady Protector." Cullen's voice rang out in my ear and I looked over my shoulder at him as he approached me.
"Yes, Commander?" I asked as I turned to him.
"I have assigned soldiers to travel with you to the Storm Coast." He stated as he crossed his arms before me. I looked in between him and the training yard.
"Wait-what? No. I told you I was going alone!" I argued and crossed my arms mimicking his stance. A defiant look crossed his eyes as he looked down at me like I was a child.
"I don't know him, and I don't trust him. You are going to take the soldiers with you." He shot back and I sent him a cross look.
"No, I'm not." I ground out and saw the immovable look and instantly grew more annoyed. "Why?" I asked and he dropped his hands and gripped the pommel of his sword.
"Because you are an asset to the Inquisition. Because you were almost killed yesterday and there could be another attempt on your life. Because we don't know these people. Take your pick." He said and I glared at him. Maker why was he so infuriating!
"Or is this because I pissed you off last night and you're trying to back at me?" I asked angrily and he glared back at me.
"That is not it. My personal feelings have nothing to do with my decision. You need to be protected." He urged making me roll my eyes.
"Well if that's the case then why don't you just come along?" I asked sarcastically and saw the wheels turning in his head. Immediately I regretted the sarcastic suggestion.
"Fine. You either take the soldiers along or I go with you." He responded with a triumphant look in his eye. Slapping my forehead I blew out a annoyed huff of air.
"I was being sarcastic. You can't come. You have to train the soldiers. If you get killed the army is screwed and who else is going to keep Chancellor Rat-Face from turning the people against each other?" I reasoned, but he wasn't having any of it.
"Lieutenant Rylen can take up my place until we return. I have prepped him for such. As for the part about getting killed, I am more than capable of keeping myself alive. Also, Sister Leliana and Lady Montiliyet can keep the peace, I'm sure." He shot back at me, his voice stony and adamant. With a huff I kicked a rock by my foot. If he came along and there was an attack on me and he got hurt because of it…well that just wouldn't be good. Or even worse if he somehow figured out about what was going on with me or if he died. I had to take the soldiers, at least them I could get away from. I'm sure if I escaped them they'd return to Haven. I'm nearly positive if I tried to escape from him, he'd try and track me or be waiting for me in the Storm Coast as stubborn as this brute is.
"How many soldiers?" I asked as I looked up at him from the rock. He held up three fingers with a smirk that I knew I'd come to despise. The way that irritably sexy scar lifted when he did it-ugh.
"Three of my best trained soldiers, both in tracking and fighting." He enunciated making my eyes bug out. Could he read minds?
"THREE? That's a bit excessive don't you think?" I asked trying to get him to lower the number, but instead he held up another finger. "What!?"
"You argued with me so it became four." I threw up my hands in anger.
"You can't be serious!" I just shy of yelled at him, but saw his grin widen as he held his thumb up.
"Oh, I'm very serious." He said through a laugh. Crossing my arms over my chest I glared at the blonde man before me.
"I'd take him along, ma'am. He looks like a good fighter to me." I shot Cremisius an angry look not realizing he was still there.
"Don't take his side!" I admonished and fought not to slap the smug look off of Cullen's face that he tried to hide. Grumbling under my breath, my hands worked at the leather of my armor.
"UGH! Fine. You can come along. Just don't get in my way and don't you dare get yourself killed." I huffed and moved past him. Maker give me strength not to kill him myself along the trip. He is so infuriating! Thinking I can't keep myself safe! Ugh, the gall of that guy! I silently fumed as strode quickly up the stairs to my bag in my cabin and looked to his cloak that was still hanging up next to the fire place. My anger diminished within seconds as I grabbed it and folded it. Looking around my room I made sure to double check the lock on my chest. I then grabbed the bow and quiver off my bed and slung it over my shoulder. Always good to have a bow. I walked out the door and shut it behind me before making for the stables. I made it to the front of Haven and looked to the Commander who was already packing his horse. Walking to the stall beside his horse I started packing away my things into Belle's satchels and looked to the cloak before pulling it open and lightly plopping it on his shoulders.
"Thanks for, you know..." I saw a shine in his eye as he turned to me with a light blush. "Letting me borrow it." I finished awkwardly wondering why he was looking at me like that. He seemed to noticed and immediately straightened both himself and his fluffy mantle.
"You're welcome." He responded trying to mask the awkwardness in his tone, but failed miserably. I turned away and quickly started to pack again trying to avoid his gaze. This was going to be a long trip.
To the Hinterlands first, then the Storm Coast. The ride was long just as I thought it would be, but not because of the company. Mostly because of the miserable weather and the fact that after a couple of hours I could feel myself starting to fall asleep. I gripped the reins hard and trained my eyes ahead on the road. To keep myself awake I ran through everything I knew about this Iron Bull again and again in my head, anything to keep me from sleeping. I pulled my head up as it sagged again the quiet patter of the rain on the ground lulling my eyes shut. Lack of sleep was starting to ebb at my mind.
"Lady Protector?" A voice asked and I jerked my eyes open. Twisting my head towards Cullen I stared at him.
"Yes, what is it?" I asked a bit groggily and he looked down at the reins of his horse before looking back up at me.
"Did you not sleep last night?" He asked me gently and I felt a chill run down my spine and my cheeks heat up. He'd seen me falling asleep. I looked down at Belle and felt my hands patting her mane before I actually noticed I was doing it.
"I-yes of course. Why?" I asked and he gave me an odd look.
"You seemed to be falling asleep and after last night I could understand if you couldn't sleep." He said, his golden eyes searching mine, a flicker of worry resonating in those beautiful orbs. I turned away from him looking straight ahead of us. Trying to deflect his words I flicked my eyes at him for a moment.
"Worried about me, Commander?" I asked aloofly and he smiled defiantly even though his cheeks started to burn a bit.
"Just making sure our Lady Protector isn't going to pass out from exhaustion." He reassured with an equally aloof tone and I shook my head a small laugh slipping through my lips.
"The day I pass out from exhaustion, Commander, will be the day you know something is very wrong." I shot back wishing he'd just stop talking.
"I hope that day doesn't come." He said with a serious tone making a chill shoot down my spine. I was still angry at him for last night. He had called me out, the only one actually and it had affected me and I hated that it did. I hated that he had influence over my feelings. I was also pissed at myself for egging him on like that. And now him being here when all I really wanted was to travel somewhat alone. It only made it worse. Hours passed and everyone was thankfully silent except for the horses beneath us as we traveled through the heavily wooded area of Fereldan. There wasn't much strategical advantages to ride in such thick forests, but it kept the rain off of us and that was good enough for me for the moment. My eyes lulled shut and I thought about the Herald. Hoping he was having safe travels as well. My eyes cracked open again when just ahead of me I heard Cullen mumble something to himself and upon thinking of him, my mind wandered to last night. The lake. He looked as terrified as I was. I felt the air in my lungs depleted. I felt a surge of fear surge through me and my hand sparked up sending fire through my veins resonating from my palm. I stared down at my hand before pulling it out of sight from Cullen's eyes as they fell on the now flashing mark. "Are you alright?" I nodded and hid the marked hand from him. His whiskey eyes shrouded slightly in the shadows of the trees, but I could feel the heat of them on me. "Is that what you were speaking with Solas about?" He asked, but this time I looked to him with confusion of his intrigue plain on my face.
"He was trying to help me figure out what triggers my mark. What enables me to make a portal like I did at the lake…and when I saved you." I explained shortly as we bobbed along down the road.
"Do you know what triggers it?" He asked his voice full of interest. I chewed on my answer for a minute thinking about whether or not I should tell him.
"Not quite." I replied vaguely and he pulled his horse forward a bit to look at me a little more directly.
"What do you think it is?" He asked pressing it more and I felt like a tightness rise in my chest, drowning under the ice flashing behind my eyelids as I blinked. The thought of it making my breath catch in my throat.
"I'm…not sure. Solas believes I should be able to control it if I can duplicate the emotions I felt when it last worked." I said accidentally allowing the nervousness invade into my tone. He grimaced at me and rubbed the back of his neck.
"And it's worked?" He asked and I snorted with laughter.
"I'm trying not to think about those events so no." I said and glared down at the mark. He smiled over at me as he pulled my attention back to him.
"Perhaps I could help in some way?" He asked and I lifted my eyes to him and noticed his blush. "I-I was there both times that you've used your mark…I didn't know if I could help in some way." Looking him over I felt the tightness in my chest return, but different this time. Smiling at his proposition a strange sensation fluttering in my gut accompanied the tightness in my chest making me feel like very strange. Despite how angry I wanted to be at him he seemed to genuinely care.
"I…Thank you, Commander, but I am sure you have other good uses." I replied flirtatiously as I regained my composure, and looked back ahead of us avoiding his eyes. He seemed so sincere. He wanted to help me and he barely knew anything about me. What was his angle? …Maybe he's just nice. My mind defiantly mused but, I dismissed the thought. We traveled for what felt like days after Cullen and I stopped talking. And for the rest of the ride everything was keeping pretty quiet until we showed up in the Hinterlands. Riding through to the Crossroads, we nodded to the Inquisition soldiers as they saluted us. My eyes fell on a few of them, these good people who are sacrificing their lives for a cause they probably didn't understand. Turning their backs on the Chantry and being proclaimed pawns in a heretical movement. Do they believe in the Herald that much? Do they believe in me that much? The Inquisition? Maker's Breath, poor Trevelyan he has to live up to each of their expectations. That's a lot on one person. I swung off the horse and pulled the reins along with me as we walked up to Corporal Vale.
"Commander! My Lady Protector! Sister Leliana sent word you'd be by. We have information on where this Grey Warden was last seen. I'll mark it on your map." He said as he took the map from me and placed an X on a patch of land next to Lake Luthias. He handed it back to me with a salute and we turned away. Cullen looked at the map over my shoulder.
"This is the stop you were talking about?" He asked next to me as I rolled the map up and hopped back up on the horse. "Who is it that we are looking for anyway?" He asked as he mounted his horse too.
"His name is Blackwall. Leliana is worried about the Grey Wardens disappearing all over Thedas. She thinks that this Blackwall will be able to inform her of what has happened to them." I clarified as we rode forward to the closest camp next to Lake Luthias. A couple hills later we made it to the lake. But I paused and my hand shot out as I heard fighting ahead. My hand thumped against Cullen's breastplate and I saw him stare down at me in confusion. I removed my hand before shooting him a smile. "I hear fighting just up the hill." I explained and watched as Cullen grabbed his sword as we moved up the hill quickly, looking for a fight, but stopped when instead we saw men training. I let go of my daggers and heard Cullen sheath his sword as he walked with me. "Blackwall. Warden Blackwall?" I called out and saw him turn to me in surprise. He looked me up and down before switching his eyes to Cullen as he approached us. The man had a neck length thick black beard with piercing eyes and heavy black eye brows with shoulder length silky brown hair to match the beard. A mountain man if I've ever seen one. I pulled on a charming smile as he approached.
"You're not- How do you know my name? Who sent-" I heard the whistle of an arrow, just as he held a shield up in front of my body. My eyes were wide as I looked to the tip of the arrow just piercing the shield. Blackwall looked to me under the shield and nodded. "That's it. Help or get out. We're dealing with these idiots. Conscripts here they come!" I smirked at him and slid my daggers from their loops and looked to the men who were approaching. Four of them, hardly a challenge. I ran forth with the recruits and sliced through a man and then drove my dagger through his chest and watched as he fell off my blood slicked blade. Looking ahead I saw the man who had fired the arrow. I was about to rush at him with my daggers, but a recruit jumped in and stabbed the archer through the stomach. Raising a brow I looked around and nodded. Well alright. I pocketed my blades again and looked to Blackwall as he walked past me and drove his blade into the ground. Crouching next to a dead attacker he shook his head a couple of time.
"Sorry Bastards." He muttered as he looked through their pockets before standing abruptly and walking towards his men who were in a line waiting for him. "Good work, conscripts, this shouldn't've happened. They could've- well, thieves are made, not born. Take back what they stole. Go back to your families. You saved yourselves." He announced and they departed. Blackwall looked to me and Cullen, who had just appeared at my side. "You're no farmer. Why do you know my name? Who are you?" He questioned as he looked in between us. That's a loaded question.
"We are here investigating the disappearance of the Grey Wardens for the Inquisition. We are seeing if the Wardens have anything to do with the murder of the Divine." I replied and saw the look of confusion cross his face.
"Makers Balls, the Wardens and the Divine? They can't- no. You're asking so you don't really know." He replied as he paced the ground. "First off, I didn't even know they disappeared. But, we do that, right? No more Blight, jobs done, wardens are the first thing forgotten. But, the one thing I'll tell you: No Warden killed the Divine. Our purpose isn't political." He added as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. I looked over at Cullen for a moment, but saw him keeping a constant watch of this Blackwall.
"Where are the rest of you?" I asked and saw him shake his head.
"I haven't seen any Wardens for months. I travel alone, recruiting. Not much interest since the Archdemon is a decade dead, and no need to conscript since there's no Blight coming. Treaties give Wardens the right to take what we need. Who we need. These idiots forced this fight, so I "conscripted" their victims." I smirked at that. Well, good for him. Looking down at my gloves I wiped off the blood onto my pants. "They had to do what I said so I told them to stand. Next time they won't need me. Grey Wardens can inspire. Make you better than you think you are."
"Why haven't you gone missing with the rest of them?"
"Well maybe I was going to. Or maybe there is a new directive that got lost or something. My job was to recruit on my own. Planned to stay that way for months. Years." He stated and I felt myself inwardly sigh. Time to open my charming bag of tricks. Looking to Cullen I nodded for us to walk. I strut on by, subtly swaying my hips as I did and sent his a catlike grin.
"Thank you, Warden Blackwall. But, where does that leave us?" I purred as I strut on by. Cullen's eyes were burning on the side of my face, but he kept silent. Three, two, one…
"Inquisition! Agent, did you say? Hold a moment." He called out and I fought to control the smirk that spread across my lips. I turned my head to him and shifted my weight as he approached us again. "The Divine is dead and the sky torn open. Events like these, thinking we're absent is almost as bad as thinking we're involved." I nodded as I turned to him fully, my hand wresting on my hip. "If you're trying to put things right, maybe you need a Warden, maybe you need me." He proclaimed as he looked straight at me. I smiled at him before giving a brief look to Cullen.
"Warden Blackwall, the Inquisition accepts your offer." I stated as I held out my hand for him to shake. He took it as he looked between Cullen and I.
"Good to hear. We both need to know what's going on, and perhaps I've been keeping to myself for too long. This Warden walks with the Inquisition." He released my hand shooting me a quick smile before looking back at his home that he was leaving. "Look, I know you already have a traveling companion, but do you mind another? I'm good with a sword." He said and I hid my grimace. Couldn't he just head back to Haven?
"Your sword would be greatly appreciated, Warden Blackwall." Cullen spoke up next to me and I inwardly cursed him for bringing someone else along. The Warden looked to the Commander and smiled broadly before nodding and we headed off.