"Leliana,
I have acquired the Bull's Chargers and the Iron Bull himself. They will fight along with the Inquisition as will a group of bandits local to the Storm Coast called The Blades of Hesserian. I regret to inform you though that we did lose some agents of the Inquisition. A scouting group that went to confront the group. Their former leader ordered their deaths, but I took care of it. We will be heading back to Haven at dawn and should arrive there sometime in the late afternoon. I am happy to report that everything is going decently well besides losing my horse and Cullen's shoulder being injured. A few close calls, but no one died, so I'll call that a success. Also, I am leaving Blackwall's interrogation up to you, but from what he told me when we first me; he knows very little about the Wardens mysterious disappearances. Until tomorrow, Lady Nightingale.
-Quinn."
Looking over the parchment I smiled to myself and blew over it making sure the ink was dry. Looking away from the letter I leant my head against the tent walls. Bull's story about a busty red haired bar maiden named Matilda that thanked him many times for saving her business seeping through the tent's cloth walls. I chuckled to myself at the absurd story as I relaxed. Blackwall's laugh accompanied the groans of the Chargers who I imagine, had heard that same story told many times over. Smirking to myself I closed my eyes blocking out the sound of their voices and focused on my breathing. Something steady to take me away from the moment. Leliana was the first one to show me the importance of meditating. 'It keeps me from fretting.' She'd told me, the thought making me smile. Like Leliana could 'fret'. The woman wasn't carefree, but she certainly didn't worry about much or at least that she let on. I placed my hands gently on my legs and slowed my heart rate as well as my breathing. The air around me calm as I ran over the details of the day. My thoughts traveled to the former leader of the Blades of Hesserian and almost instinctively my palm brushed against the bruise. Blackwall had fussed over it, practically forcing me to ask one of Bulls' party for some salve. Stitches I believe his names was, I'm guessing their part-time healer, fixed me up decently well. The bandage he'd wrapped around my waist keeping the sticky liquid in place so it could heal the bruised skin. My thoughts however strayed again to my present that was waiting for me in Haven. I wonder what she got me. I bet it is shoes, or maybe a new weapon or an ornate handle… I smiled to myself as my thoughts went from one idea to the other of what her gift could possibly be- The tent opened and I saw Cullen jolt to a stop when he saw me sitting inside. I jumped as well looking at up at him before looking around me, remembering that I was in his tent. He looked from me to the fire where Bull and the others were singing quite loudly. The alcohol in their systems showing its' effect as their voices echoed against the rocky walls.
"It was loud, and I needed to write this letter to Leliana." I explained and he chuckled as he ducked into the tent. I looked him over as he moved into the tent and towards his pack in the corner. He'd been gone for quite a long time. Nearly two hours. I'd wanted to go look for him, but Bull told me not to. Said if he wanted to be alone I should let him. "I hope you don't mind I borrowed your writings things again. Mine are still not present." I added, sounding a bit unsure as he sat down and relaxed against a post in the back of the tent. He smiled in my direction, his scar pulling up his face as he waved his nonchalantly.
"Quite alright, Lady Protector." He reassured as he pulled papers from his pack. I lifted an eyebrow towards him as I noticed how thick the stack was.
"What in Andraste's name are those?" I asked as I gawked at the stack of papers. He pulled off his gloved and licked his thumb as he pulled the first sheet up and read over it.
"Status and Scouting Reports. Requisitions. Complaints." He responded as he looked over the first paper. I set his writing things next to him, but he didn't seem to notice.
"I can go…if you want…" I said and he looked up at me and shook his head.
"No, it's quite alright if you stay." He said as he looked up briefly. "I like the company." He added with a friendly smile. I nodded back and leant against the tent slightly.
"Anything interesting?" I asked and he looked up at me, his golden eyes glowing in the candlelight as he placed a report down on the ground after signing it.
"Most of the time, no. But, sometimes I get some interesting ones." He replied with a faint smirk tipping his lips as he looked back down at his reports.
"Like what?" I asked and he chuckled as he lifted a page and scribbled something down. He looked back up at me with the same smirk on his lips.
"Well I received a report recently from someone named 'Quinn and her merry band of misfit heroes'. That report was fairly interesting." He replied and I laughed.
"You read my report?" I asked as I sat up, folding my legs crisscross to give him my full attention. I watched him as his head bobbed, a snort of laughter accompanying the motion. "Judging by your response it was either a really bad 'interesting' or a really good one." I added cheekily and saw the smile erupt over his lips.
"It was a good interesting. Accurate on most accounts." He critiqued making my smirk widen.
"Even the part about Cassandra?" I asked and he lifted his eyes towards me with a reprimanding look. Like he was scorning a small child.
"You should not say such things about her. She is a good person when you get to know her." He replied and I rolled my eyes as I folded my arms. Biting back the retort I simply looked away with a small smile.
"Oh, I've known her for some time now. Met her when I started working under Leliana. I'm surprised she never mentioned it to be honest." I responded, noticing him put the papers down for a moment as he looked up at me with intrigue.
"Really? You worked with the Divine?" He asked, the intrigue and shock in his voice. Only slightly offended by the shock, my head bobbed, and a small smile coming to my lips upon thinking of Divine Justinia.
"Yes, for 2 years. I didn't see her all too often. Not like Leliana and Cassandra did, but she's the one who found me…saved me. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for her." I replied in a finite way, not wanting to press too much into my past, but realized that was a lost cause when he leant forward. The intrigue in his eyes only growing as his papers and quill lay forgotten next to him.
"What do you mean 'saved you'?" He asked, his question forcing a grimace to my lips that I tried desperately to hide. My hand went to my necklace, my thumb rubbing over the jewel encrusted bird. Would he look at me the same if he knew that I was once a lowly thief? Stealing money and food to get by? Or would he look at me the same way Cassandra had? With disdain and distrust. Maybe he would…But there's no way of telling unless I put a little faith in him, right? He abruptly looked very awkward as he sat in his corner of the tent, staring at me with interest. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.
"I-Forgive me, My Lady…if you don't wish to-"
"I…was stealing from her." I blurted out slowly, watching as the shock slowly formed over his face. His hand stopping on the back of his neck as his eyes widened.
"You were stealing? From the Divine?" He stumbled over his words and I cringed at his slightly judgmental tone that was only diminished by his shock. This was probably a bad idea, but it was too late now. Nodding I pulled my eyes from his already regretting my decision based on the look he was giving me. Why did I care what he thought of me? I asked myself. I hadn't ever cared. Not with Leliana or Varric or Cassandra. No one, but he was different…very different from the rest.
"Yeah…" I muttered before pulling my eyes back to his. "I was alone. I'd steal food and money from people who had enough of it. But, that stuff only gets you so far. I needed something that would set me up for a while so I could stop running. Maybe even pay back some of the people who'd helped me and expected nothing in return. I heard of this jewel that was just recently placed in the Divine's Treasury. It would be more than enough. I could pay off my debts and keep myself alive for a while longer." I revealed slowly, taking even breaths. I thought I was going to have a panic attack at just giving away my secrets. Only Leliana and unfortunately Cassandra knew the story, but for some reason I wanted Cullen to trust me. And in order for him to he had to know something about my past… "So, I snuck into the Treasury no problem. The guards were on a very predictable shift, one of the first things I pointed out when I started working for her. Plus, no one really expected someone to climb in through the roof. The jewel was right there. I took it and was about to get out clean when the Divine herself walked in." I chanced a glance at Cullen and saw only the same look of intrigue and a bit of suspense in his amber eyes.
"What did she do?" He asked me urgently making a broad grin split my lips.
"She told me this story about the rock and the peddler." I said and he lifted an eye brow as if he'd never heard it. "There was a peddler who bought an ordinary rock off a gem merchant in a town. The peddler would take care of it, polish it like it were a priceless gem. One day this boy came along and asked the Peddler about the ordinary looking rock. He handed the boy the rock explaining that he didn't think it was just any rock and the boy drops it. Inside the rock was the most extraordinary gem they'd ever seen in their lives." I recited with a wide smile remembering the way her wise eyes shone as she finished her fable.
"The gem you were stealing…was that the gem…?" He asked, his words drifting off as he lifted an eye brow at me. I laughed, a happy smile spreading across my lips as I looked over at him.
"That's exactly what I thought it was, but no. Thankfully, it was just a story. The point of her telling me that story was so that she could explain that she thought I had potential. Said she knew a lost soul when she saw one, and man was she right." I replied with a bitter laugh, thinking about all the awful things I'd done just to stay alive. All the people I'd relied on, all the misdeeds and ill-judgements I couldn't take back. I leant my head against the tent wall feeling a stinging sensation in my eyes. Swallowing the emotion that clogged my throat I plastered a calm smile to my lips. "She felt that the Maker put me in her path to do his work. So, she gave me a choice. I could take the gem and she would let me go, no strings. Or I could come and work for her. Obviously, I picked working for her, and that's when I met Leliana and…Cassandra." I said as I looked back up at the ceiling of the tent. "She was an amazing person." I finished and my head tilted over towards him and saw a sad smile on his lips.
"I never had the pleasure of knowing her." He replied and I snorted with laughter,
"Oh, Cullen you missed out. She could tell you these deep, beautiful, prophetic things about yourself that you didn't even know. Ask questions that shook you to your core and made you question everything you believed in. Things you'd never told her she'd just know without actually stating the facts, but it was enough that you knew she knew. Then, she could tell you all the potential you had inside of you like she could peek into your soul. Everything you could accomplish, and you wanted to believe it so much. Wanted to become everything she said you could be. She gave me purpose again, and for someone as lost as I was…that was everything." I sighed as I looked straight ahead of me and heard him shuffling around before I felt a hand on mine in a friendly gesture. I looked over at him and saw a comforting spread across his lips.
"It sounds like she was something very special to you." He whispered and I nodded taking a heavy breath. Why do I feel like I've said far too much?
"She is…was." I corrected as I looked into his whiskey eyes that seemed to warm my insides. I nearly sighed when I didn't see an ounce of judgement or pity in his eyes. She would've liked him. Shaking my head I tried to rid myself of the thoughts of her. I'd done so well keeping my mind off of her. Off of the sorrow I felt. Preoccupying myself with the Herald and missions, but now that Cullen was asking me about it…it was all coming forth. Is this what Leli is feeling? Sadness clenched at my heart for my friend and for Divine Justinia. I pulled my hand abruptly from his and cleared my throat as I looked around at the papers. I needed to distract myself. "So, paperwork. Need any help with it?" I asked and he looked around as he leant back and away from me. His hands picking up half the stack and handing it towards me.
"Are you sure? I'd hate for you to be bored." He jested, my smile mirroring his.I snatched the papers from him and stuck my tongue out in direction. He scooched over and patted the spot next to him. I moved into the spot as he showed me where to place the different papers. "If it is a requisition notice, put it here so I can sign it." He said, making a smile come to my lips as I grabbed the papers and a quill.
"Or I could sign it for you." I replied earning an odd look from him.
"As in forge my signature? No." He said adamantly. Stopping my eyes from rolling again, I limited myself to a simple eye brow raise.
"Why not? Afraid my penmanship is better than yours?" I asked with a sly smirk. He held up a paper he'd just signed before placing it in a pile near my leg.
"No…because if they think someone forged my signature they'll throw out the papers and that's more paperwork for me." He replied as he looked back down and I grinned and took the paper from him and inspected his signature. He actually had very nice handwriting for a guy. My Father used to simply sign things with the first letters of his first and last name and then squiggly lines for the rest of the letters.
"You have very nice hand writing, you know that?" I asked him, noticing the faint blush that crept up his neck as he stared intently down at the paper in his hands.
"I…thank you." He responded, never once looking up at me.
"But, I could totally forge this. I've forged documents for the Orlesian Court. I'm a master." I replied with a smirk as I took a sheet of parchment and replicated his signature. He raised his head and chuckled as he shot me an unbelieving look. "Do you not believe me? Want to bet on it?" I asked and he grinned and nodded,
"I'll take that bet." He agreed and once he had said it I passed him my replica of his signature and he grabbed it and stared it wide eyed. He grabbed the paper he'd just signed and compared it to mine. He dropped both papers and rubbed the back of his neck. He eyes flicking to me as I grinned back smugly. "I stand corrected. Fine, just tell me what you're signing before you do." He responded. I nodded, sending him a two finger salute.
"Aye, Aye Commander, sir." I teased as I picked up another document. After several documents later, the candle burning down low as the stacks grew higher. I smirked down at one of the requisition requests personally sent by Cassandra for better swords for the soldiers. "Hey wait! I won the bet. I get something in return!" I proclaimed louder than I had intended to. Cullen jumped and looked over at me in confusion as I thought over what I'd like to receive before a smirk came to my lips. "I know, I get to sign on of your reports as 'Commander Shiny Boots'." I declared and saw him shoot me a disapproving look.
"No." He replied and I huffed leaning my chin against my knuckles.
"Alright, fine. Then I get to sign it, 'Commander Quinn Thedran, Best Commander in the history of Thedas.'" I replied and saw a smirk come across his lips as he continued to read over the papers.
"No, Quinn." He replied again, this time with a hint of laughter in his tone.
"You're really putting me in a box here, Cullen." I responded and he laughed at me before signing a paper and placing it in the Complaints section. "Alright, what if I just signed it "'Thedran, Quinn Thedran.'" I asked and he looked at me peculiarly,
"Why would you write your last name twice?" He asked and I shrugged,
"I don't know…it sounded cool in my head." I replied with a laugh and heard him snort with laughter next to me. "Alright, tell you what. I'll sign your name perfectly like you want, but in teensy, tiny subscript at the very bottom I get to put 'Quinn rules, Cassandra drools.'" I said and crossed my arms over my chest with a wide grin. He lifted an eye brow in my direction as a humored smile twitched at his lips. That sexy scar twitching slight. "I think those are pretty fair conditions, I did win the bet after all." I pointed out, hearing a hearty laugh spring from his lips before shooting me a mock look of disapproval and looking down at the paper in my hands.
"Fine. How tiny is 'teensy, tiny'?" He asked making a smirk come to my lips as I brought the feathery end of the quill to his nose.
"No one will even notice it." I reassured deviously. But, I'll know.
I woke slowly, my eyes crackling open as I saw Cullen's tent come into view around me. My head leaning against something soft yet firm as my eyes focused. I lifted my head from the thin bed roll and looked around the tent taking notice instantly that Cullen was no longer there. I sat up further and watched as a blanket slipped from my shoulders to pool around my waist. I stretched my arms out wide and groaned as the bones popped in my back and warmed my joints. As silently as possible I left the tent and walked out onto beach not wanting to wake any of my companions just yet, but also wondering where Cullen had gone off to. Looking over to where there was once a raging fire with men drinking merrily around iit , it was now reduced to embers. Tankards lying forgotten on stones and boulders probably filled my ale still. Pulling my eyes towards the ocean, I couldn't help but smile at the sereneness of the world as the waves crashed lightly across the beach. The water leaving trails of where the ocean had receded back into itself. I pulled my hair from its pony tail and allowed it to sway in the morning salty wind. I went over to a formation of rocks that rose about 3 feet above the water and paused. On top of the rock was Cullen sitting in his linen shirt and dark brown pants. His slightly curling hair rustling in the quiet wind and ocean spray. He was working on something in his hands, his head bowed in concentration. I smiled to myself as I walked a bit closer.
"Early riser, huh?" I asked and saw his head shoot up immediately before turning to me. A breathtaking smile accompanied by a small blush appeared on his face as he did so.
"I couldn't resist. I've heard the sunrise over the ocean is magnificent." Cullen responded as he scooched over a bit. "Care to join me?" He asked, making a toothy smile part my lips.
"I don't know…the view from here is pretty magnificent as well." I teased as I stared kicking off my boots. A blush rose to his ears as he muttered,
"Maker's Breath." I giggled to myself as I climbed up the rock with ease and sat next to him. "You enjoy embarrassing me don't you?" He asked, the smile pulling at his lips showing me he wasn't truly upset with me.
"Perhaps…" I grinned, "Or maybe I like flirting with you. Ever thought of that?" I asked and his eyes connected with mine for a moment before he looked away, the blush coating his cheeks in red. For him I pretended not to notice as I pulled my attention to the back to the ocean. We were silent after that as the waves crashed gently against the rock beneath us. The sun just starting to lighten the sky, but not visible. We still had a while to sit here.
"Thank you, Quinn." He said, abruptly breaking the silence between us. I turned my head towards him, confusion in my eyes as I watched him run a hand along the back of his neck.
"For what?" I asked and he smiled, keeping his eyes trained on the ocean before us.
"Iron Bull told me why you were putting yourself in all the dangerous situations that you did. I didn't realize…that you were doing it for me. And I apologize for arguing with you and saying the things I did. It was unworthy of me." He explained with an apologetic smile in my direction. I felt a bubble of happiness swell inside my heart from his words. It was my turn to blush now as his bright whiskey eyes locked onto my own. "But, thank you for watching after me when I wasn't doing it for myself." He added as he looked back out at the ocean waves rolling in a bit higher than before. The ocean water spraying us gently.
"Well, someone has to protect you." I responded and his face lit up with a smile.
"You enjoy being ironic, don't you?" He asked making me lift my eye brow waiting for him to explain. "I came along on this mission to protect you, but you ended up protecting me." He said with a chuckle. I chuckled with him and tucked stray hairs behind my ears.
"Just living up to my title." I responded and heard him grunt in affirmation.
"That you are." He agreed as he looked from me to horizon. We sat there in silence again, his hand running over something between his thumb and forefinger before he turned to me again. "Uh…I also found something, and I thought you might like it…" He added, making my eyes widen. He's just full of surprises, isn't he? "It was your Name Day, yesterday, and I also wanted a way to truly thank you for what you did…" He kept on as he pulled my hand out and placed something smoothing in my hand. He removed his hand from mine as I peered down at the present. It was a smooth pearl with a string running through it about the size of my wrist. I couldn't speak, I was too stunned at the beautiful gift he'd just given me. It was beautiful, and I'd never been given such a gift before. So simple and beautiful…like him… "I know it isn't much…I found that last night just up the beach." He finished as his eyes stared down at me awkwardly. I looked from the pearl bracelet to him, smiling in amazement.
"Cullen, it's beautiful." I whispered in awe and saw a blush creep up his neck again. "I love it." I added as I returned by gaze back to the bracelet before holding it up to him. "Do you mind?" I asked and his hands slowly worked at the strings of the bracelet to tie it around my wrist. A smile lighting my face as I looked it over looked, the beautiful round pearl sparkling in the pale moonlight. I dropped my hand still so surprised at the gift and looked over at him awe stricken. "Thank you, Cullen. This is one of the best gifts I've ever received." I said with a smile and brought my lips to his cheek. His eyes went slightly wider than they were and his hand touched the spot where my lips had touched his light facial hair. He looked back to me, his golden eyes almost glowing in the pale moonlight around us.
"You're welcome." He whispered, sounding very distant, but so close. Beside me, my hand suddenly flared up, making my eyes fall on it in confusion. It went away as quickly as it came, but it was enough for Cullen to catch notice as well. I shrugged at him as he shared my look of confusion. I gently placed my head on his shoulder waiting for him to move or stutter, but he did none of those things. Instead he dipped his shoulder a bit so I could be more comfortable. I smiled lightly to myself as the water splashed past our feet. I felt relaxed with him…I think I was starting to like him... A lot, and that was dangerous, but at this moment I didn't care. My mind was yelling at me to move, but if I did it would ruin the moment, and I didn't have another day with him alone. We sat like that for a while longer before I heard rustling back at the camp. "Sounds like our companions are up." He said as he looked over his shoulder. I picked my head up and looked with him back at the camp.
"Guess that's our cue." I sighed as I stood with him and hopped off rock formation, him following suit. I grinned at him and nodded my head towards the camp. "Think we should sing as loud as they were last night? Or would that be too evil?" I asked as I watched a few of them stumble from their tents grabbing at their foreheads in pain. Looking back at him I saw him squeezing his thumb and forefinger together.
"Just a tad bit evil." He replied with a short laugh as he pulled on his boots. I did the same and we walked back towards the camp and packed up. Blackwall trudged out of his tent and looked over towards us. I grinned and waved at him, but notice the grimace on his face as well as the greenish tint to the parts that were visible.
"Why are you two so chipper this morning?" He grumbled as he scratched at his beard and I chuckled at him.
"Because we weren't up drinking hooch till the wee hours of the morning." I fired back with a smirk. He swatted his hand at us as he moved through the camp, his hand resting over his mouth as he burped.
"Felt good at the moment." He grumbled back and suddenly made for the ocean, turning a bit green in the face. I grimaced before a laugh bubbled up through my throat.
"Ooh…and we have a long trip today." I grimaced mostly to myself as Cullen came to my side fully dressed in armor and his large pack on his shoulder. "That is going to be hell for them." I added as I watched the Bull's Chargers and Iron Bull himself scuffling their feet along the ground. Their hands raised over their eyes in the dim light of the rising sun.
"Yup." Cullen agreed as he readjusted the pack on his shoulder. "Now you see why I don't get drunk." He added as he looked over the men as most ran for the ocean to barf up the poison from last night.
"Ew." I commented, disgusted at the sounds of the men vomiting the entirety of their stomachs into the ocean. "Now that I think about it, it's going to be hell for us too if we have to listen to that all day."
"Yup." He agreed once more.
_
We bobbed down the road. Me sitting on the back of Cullen's saddle as we made our way back to Haven. We'd stopped a couple of times, but not for long and we were approaching the Hinterlands again. I'd sent the letter to Leliana from last night as soon as we made it through the outpost camp, but that was hours ago. I didn't really expect a reply, but I also wanted something to occupy my mind so that I didn't die of boredom. It was hard to try and constantly stay aware of everything when you have 8 hung over warriors recuperating on a 12 hour horse ride. Not to mention Cullen's words constantly distracting me as I thought over the moments of last night and this morning. A broad smile came to my lips as I looked down at my wrist, when suddenly my hand flashed up on Cullen's side again. I stared in confusion. For the first time it didn't burn when it was just a flash. Cullen noticed as well and his gloved hand grabbed it gently. He looked at me over his shoulder.
"What's wrong?" He asked and I shook my head, looking around in confusion.
"I don't know…" I responded as I looked down at the green sparkling palm as the light died out and returned to its normal scarred form. "That was weird…" I admitted as he released my palm and looked around again. "You don't think there's a rift around, do you? I know the Herald's hand sparks up around them." I explained and he looked around, his eyes raking through the trees for anything that resembled a rift, but saw nothing. I exhaled heavily, but that only presented another question. Why had my hand flared up?
"It did that this morning too." He pointed out and I nodded as I continued to stare at it.
"Yeah…maybe's it's defective." I answered with a small smile and saw him nod as we continued to bob along the road. We'd been traveling for around 8 hours and I was starting to-
"Hey Boss. Can we stop for a moment? We need to take a break really quick." Bull called up and I nodded as I tapped Cullen's shoulder. Thank the Maker.
"Yeah, we can stop." I called back and Cullen pulled the horse off the main road as the Bull's Chargers followed. Cullen hopped off his horse first and unexpectedly his hands moved up towards me as I hopped off as well. Holding my waist he helped me onto the ground. I thanked him quietly keeping the blush from my cheeks as I stretched out my arms and popped my back. Long horse rides were the worst.
"You alright, My Lady?" Blackwall asked from behind me and I turned to him and nodded.
"Quite so, just trying to stretch everything out before I have to get back on the horse." I replied with a smile in his direction. "You?" I returned and he nodded as he leant against a tree and popped his ankle.
"A bit of a headache, but the hang over is receding thankfully." He replied as he pulled a stalk of elf root from his pocket that was already gnarled by his teeth.
"I'm glad. You lot looked quite miserable this morning." He nodded as he lifted both eye brows on his forehead. "But, Bull's stories alone could make my stomach flip." I teased as Bull walked up. Both men laughed heartily as Bull brought his hand down and smacked Blackwall's back.
"You should've heard his stories! Like the Antivan woman who could lift her ass while-"
"That's not something to discuss in front of a lady, Iron Bull." Blackwall interrupted and Bull frowned in his direction, before looking to me with a smirk.
"Boss isn't a lady! She's a warrior!" Bull retorted with a laugh. I laughed along with him.
"Oh? Can't I be both?" I asked coy humor dripping from my words like honey as Bull pulled his fist up to his broad chin in contemplation. Blackwall looked in between us and snickered quietly to himself. Cullen strode up next to us and Bull looked to him with a fiendish look.
"What do you think, Commander? Is Boss a lady, or a warrior?" He asked and Cullen looked between us in confusion as his arms settled over his chest.
"I'd say she's both." He concluded with a nod towards me. I grinned in triumph as I turned my head back to Bull.
"Ha! See? The Commander agrees with me. Obviously I win." I jested, and laughed as Bull grumbled something under his breath. Cullen turned towards me fully, pulling my attention from Bull's form."Time to go?" I asked, seeing the look he was giving me. He nodded in response as he turned back to the horse standing by the trees. I looked to my other 8 companions and smiled. "Time to pack up, everyone." They all groaned, but saddled up anyway. I looked back to Cullen who was bringing his horse round. Grinning to myself, I leapt up onto the saddle in the front and grabbed the reins. He looked at me in shock as I peered down at him. "I'm driving." I announced, hearing him chuckle as I held my hand out for him. We locked wrists and hoisted him up onto the horse. Once he was settled in we were off again. I whipped the reins and laughed as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He huffed in my ear as the wind blew past us. "Hold on, Commander wouldn't want you to fall off." I called out and he encircled my waist a bit more moving closer. I was a bit shocked at his boldness as he chuckled in my ear.
"You learned that from Blackwall, didn't you?" I nodded with a laugh and whipped the reins again. At the rate we were going now we'd get back not so in late afternoon. Perhaps around 7:00… When we finally arrived in Haven I couldn't have been happier, my ass was seriously starting to hurt from constantly bobbing in the seat. The people of Haven greeted us with cheers and whistles as I pulled the horse towards the stables. The trip had taken longer than expected, but I took notice the Herald's horse was not in its stable. So they weren't back yet… I pulled the horse into the stables and felt Cullen shift behind me. I was going to miss this time with Cullen…I probably was never going to get to go on another mission with him. Even though I was pissed about it in the beginning…I'd come to really like him, and having him along. When I stopped the horse the Commander behind me hopped off with the grace of a cat and helped me down again. I smirked as I landed in front of him.
"You know I'm going to miss having you on missions." I admitted, watching as his lips twisted into a bemused smile.
"Oh will you? You changed your mind rather fast." He shot back with a grin as I pulled his horse into a stall. It wasn't that fast…three days was not fast at all. Smirking I tilted my head up towards him.
"What can I say? You charmed me, Commander and there's only so much a girl can resist." I flirted, his blush appearing on his cheeks before his hand brushed against the back of his neck. I turned back to him and gave him a brilliant smile. "In all seriousness, if you ever want to sneak away from your paperwork and training routines, I wouldn't completely mind if you accompanied me on some missions." I added and saw his own breathtaking, genuine smile came across his lips as he looked down at me.
"I'd like that…" He replied slowly as he moved forward a fraction of a step. "Quinn I-"
"My Lady Protector! Commander!" I jumped at the suddenness of the scout's appearance and looked over at him, pulling my eyes from Cullen.
"Yes?" We asked in unison and saw the serious look on the small elven woman's face.
"Sister Leliana needs to speak with you." She said and I looked back up to Cullen as he looked back at me.
"Is Leliana alright?" I asked warily. A strange sensation gripping at my heart. Cullen tensed next to me only making the sensation spread.
"Please my lady, come with me." She said, turning around and motioning for us to follow her. I wasn't sure as to what was going on, but if Leli was in trouble…Maker please don't let her be hurt. We walked quickly up to the Chantry, looking as calm as possible. The elven woman led us all the way into the back room where the War table was and the scout opened the door for us. Cullen and I filed in and looked to Leliana who was thankfully leaning against the wall staring at something on the table. Her eyes moved quickly from the box to me and I took notice of the sympathy mixed with dread in her green orbs. Almost immediately I knew something was terribly wrong.
"Leli….what's wrong? You have that look in your eyes. Like when my favorite nug passed away…only worse." I explained, trying to ease the tension. Hoping that I was wrong, that everything was fine and I'd read the room wrong. My feet however, stepped forward away from Cullen slowly, pensively. The mysterious box in the room dragging my attention from her.
"My friend…there was a man who was captured after placing this in your cabin while you were gone. It was last night…" On my Name Day…"We don't know how he got into the camp, but one of my scouts spotted a man with raven hair and blue eyes exiting your cabin... we captured him and placed him in the cells." She explained as her cautious eyes moved to the box again and I felt ice grip at my heart. A man with raven hair and blue eyes…it can't be… She looked upset and it was not a look I saw often, something about this box was really worrying with her.
"Leliana what is in that box?" I asked equally as cautious, I had no idea what it could be. My mind immediately flying to the Herald and I cringed. She looked to me and then down at the box again. Part of me truly hoped this was some ploy for her to give me a remarkable gift, but that wasn't like Leliana. She hated surprises as much as I did. I could feel Cullen's stare on me as he moved forward as well gripping the pommel of his sword, possibly from all the tension in the room.
"I'm so sorry, my friend." She whispered as I took the beautifully decorated box and slid it towards me on the table. It had already been opened, and I that's what terrified me. Leli knew what was in this box and she'd apologized. It was bad. This was bad. I opened the box and felt my heart jar in my chest at the sight before me. A ring finger was sitting inside the box frozen to keep it preserved with a letter placed next to it which was also opened. I slowly reached in and took the letter opening it to read only a few words scrawled in red ink. No, not red ink. Blood. The metallic scent wafting into my nose as the air touched the page.
"This was your choice. Happy Name Day, Quinn."
"Maker's Breath…" Cullen whispered as he looked into the box. I shook my head, my eyes wide as I looked down at the finger again. I gently turned the finger and felt a strangled cry catch in my throat as I recognized the ring immediately. My Father's ring. My Father's finger. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. My head spinning, the sounds around me becoming distorted. My Father's dead… And it was my fault. I killed him. My ignorance and pride killed him. My breath started to come in short, erratic pants as my heart tried to keep up with the rage that pumped through my veins. My hand next to me flaring madly sending shrills of fire up the muscles of my arm, but I didn't care. I hardly felt it. I wanted to kill. My vision only blurring as I imagined ripping out the person's throat who did this. I looked from the box to Leliana who was looking at me with a bit of shock in her eyes and for the first time in my life I saw her watching me with a twinge of fear. My hand was sparking and jumping from my palm as quiet rage pumped with my blood making my body feel as if it were on fire and frozen at the same time. I saw Cullen flinch next to me as Leliana made her way around the table to me and gripped my shoulders. The cells.
"My friend, think about this before you go down there-"She tried to finish, but I was already out the door. On the outside I probably looked calm. All except for my palm engulfed in sparking green power from the Fade. It couldn't be him. He was dead…I had to see. I had to know for sure. I jogged down the stairs with Cullen and Leliana right on my heels. "Quinn wait-" She cried, but it died on her lips as we all stepped into large cell and my eyes widened in shock, my hand flying to my lips as I looked around. My heart nearly stuttering to a stop.
Lying in the floor were bodies of the Inquisition soldiers that used to be guarding the prisoner. Their bodies spaced out evenly in the shape of a star. Their blood drawing lines to connect the corners of the star inside of the circle. Upon closer inspection, I noticed each of their bodies were laid as if they were ready to be buried. Their helmets off, their eyes closed and their hands folded over clutching something yellow. My heart pounded in my ears as I stared down at them. Maker please no… I pushed a guards hand out of the way and froze in place. A Sun Ray… I felt my hand tremble at the sight and I gasped backing away. No…it can't be! It can't! Just ahead in the center of the star I saw a vase with more of the flowers placed inside, but instead of water, blood filled its glass form. My eyes were wide as I stepped forward into the circle to the vase of flowers and underneath my foot the blood lit up an unnatural color and flames shot burst from the ground surrounding me in the circle. I turned to Cullen and Leliana my eyes wide with shock and confusion, noticing both were just outside the flames. I heard Cullen cry out for me, but it was drowned out by a cold laugh.
"There you are, my darling Sparrow." A voice purred from behind me. My heart stalled in my chest as panic set in. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. My heart started beating too fast in my chest, ramming up against my ribs like a bird desperately attempting to be freed from its cage. My mind running over one name, a name I knew too well. Every bone in my body screamed and ached to flee. But, I was frozen in the center of the circle of fire. Trapped. This can't be real. I closed my eyes silently praying that it was just a nightmare. A hand came to my waist and I jolted turning towards the figure. His electric blue eyes glimmering in the fire that surrounded us, his lips spreading into a wicked grin. "What's wrong, my love? You look like you've seen a ghost." He commented sardonically and I heard his name drop from my lips in nothing more than a fearful whisper.
"Tayen…"