Hey there everyone! I apologize for the insanely long time it took me to upload this. But, thank you to everyone who is reading this because that means that you aren't completely fed up with me! So thanks so much to all you lovely people and I hope you enjoy Chapter 12!
-Batcat1020
My heart beat erratically in my chest as I watched Tayen saunter towards me. How can he be here? This can't be real. I backed away as far as I could, shock and fear twisting my stomach painfully. Ice spread through my veins, twisting through every limb making me feel stiff and vulnerable. In response, my hands defensively shot to my daggers. I flung them from their sheaths and extended them towards him, but he didn't flinch. My hand shook like a leaf in the wind, my fear and confusion becoming very apparent to everyone.
"Stay back!" I growled, or at least attempted to. Instead of the menacing sound I was going for, my voice came out weak and terrified. I cringed as Tayen smiled brighter at the sound of it and tilted to his head to me. His blue eyes had this unnatural, predator-like spark in them, something dead and dangerous yet alive.
"Are you afraid, my dear?" He asked with a twinge of excitement as I gnashed my teeth together. My fear battling the anger I felt at myself for seeming so weak. He suddenly moved like smoke and appeared right in front of me. He is just a ghost. A figment of the Fade. He's not real.
"I do not fear ghosts." I hissed as I whipped my blades out, but instead of going right through him like I expected he caught my wrist. I stared wide-eyed as his fingers laced around my thin wrist. His smile grew malicious as he bared his teeth at me.
"Oh, my darling Sparrow, I'm no ghost." He responded as he looked to my now shaking wrist. Maker, what is this? A nightmare? "You're shaking." He pointed out as he released my wrist. I quickly pulled away from him and slid into a casual standing position. I needed to relax, clear my mind and focus. I had to ask questions. Running about like a scared little hen would get me nowhere.
"How are you here?" I asked, ignoring his observation still trying to swallow my fear. He smiled cruelly and looked thoughtfully down at the daggers clutched in my hands. His finger went to his chin and he tapped it thoughtfully as he began pacing in front of me moving in and out of his form of smoke every once in a while.
"Tell me Quinn. Do you know what happens to a soul when it's trapped in the Fade? What happens to them when they are forced to watch their death for years?" He asked with a tilt of his head, ignoring my question. I shook my head as I backed away from him, pulling my wrist from his clutches. My heart dropped into my stomach at his words, Maker this can't be real.
"Stop it." I begged weakly. I didn't want to know, I already felt guilty enough. I was suddenly grabbed and dragged back towards him.
"I wandered around lost and alone, reliving the last moments of the life over and over again. Driving myself mad because of you!" He hissed as he grabbed me by my cheeks and dragged me towards him. Carefully, I turned the daggers over in my hand to strike.
"Tayen…please stop." I pleaded as I backed away from him. He advanced on me as I felt my hand touch the fire wall. I hissed in pain and looked down at my singed glove. I grimaced down at the glove as I made careful measures not to show the dagger I was holding. A smile appeared on his lips as he watched me like a cat would a mouse.
"I'm not Tayen." He whispered playfully into my ear. "Have you forgotten already, my darling?" He asked, his voice like poison in my ears as he pulled back. "Maybe this will help you." My eyes widened and I brought the blade forward, but as I did he touched my forehead.
Tayen stood before me his snarling smile turning towards me as he let the blood drip from his hands. I panted, my chest heaving in and out as I held my daggers in my hands.
"Quinn my darling, do you really think you can beat me?" He asked before shaking his head side to side. "You could make this so easy on yourself." He whispered as he neared me. I could hardly move my body, pain and exhaustion stilling making even the smallest of movements nearly impossible. "I could even let your lovely fiancé go." He said as he sauntered up towards me. His smile scraping along his pointy teeth. His black eyes flickered at me and he tilted my chin up. My hand squeezed the dagger in my palm as he smirked down at my quivering form. "Just stand down. For your own sake, I want nothing with you yet." He murmured with a laugh in my face. His eyes flicked down to the daggers in my hands in a death grip. "Quinn….you wouldn't hurt your precious Tayen would you? I don't believe you have it in you." He hissed. But, I had to. He was an abomination. He was going to kill a lot of people. I had to stop him. But, it was Tayen. I couldn't lose him. Maker why is this happening? "Just as I thou-" With a cry of anguish I cut him off and drove the dagger through his chest.
"You underestimate me." I hissed as tears welled up in my eyes as his widened and I felt something sharp ram into my abdomen. I choked on the pain, the demon's black eyes flickering in and out as a rage-filled gaze snarled in my face. "YOU BITCH!" He screamed as he stumbled backwards and away from me. "YOU THINK THIS IS OVER?!" He screamed again as he convulsed in place. He sounded in pain, like the demon himself were dying. I collapsed onto the ground my hand flying to my wound to stop the bleeding. "I SWEAR TO YOU THIS WILL NOT END HERE! I WILL COME BACK! YOU AND YOUR WORTHLESS FAMILY FALL AND BURN MARK MY WORDS!" He cried as he collapsed onto his knees sliding the dagger that he'd stabbed me with into his sheath. The demon's words echoed around me, their screamed promise of death and destruction of my family shook me to my core.
"Consider them marked." I called back weakly, blood dribbling down my lip, coating my teeth. I spit it out at him as he screamed a final time and collapsed onto the ground. A smoky entity sinking and burning away into the ground. When the entity was gone, all I saw was Tayen. His blue eyes wide and pained as he panted heavily.
"Q-Quinn!" He cried no louder than a whimper. Any pieces of my broken heart that still remained shattered upon hearing him calling for me. The real him, bleeding and dying by my hand. Fresh tears rolled down my face as I-
I snapped myself back into reality and found myself shaking out of either anger or fear I wasn't sure. I threw myself away from him and stumbled, falling to the ground and staring up at him. He smiled as he lowered himself into a crouch at my feet. The same curious tilt of his head cocked as he watched me, waiting for me to get it.
"Figured it out yet?" He asked patiently with pin point pupils. My chest moved up and down quickly as my eyes locked with his. It can't be. This can't be happening. I tried to deny it in my head, but my heart knew it was him. The dread I felt, the fear and rageI felt so deep inside of me, I knew it could be no one or nothing else.
"You're the demon." I gasped, my eyes widening at the realization. His smile widened and he tapped his nose before resting his arms back on his knees.
"Such a smart little girl you are." He said in a patronizing tone as his eyes flicked to black. My heart suddenly picked up pace, racing faster than it had before. "You know…your Father had a similar expression on his face." He added thoughtfully with a roll of his pitch black eyes. My limbs refused to move as my mind screamed for me to run or fight or do something! But, I was stuck staring at him like a lamb about to be slaughtered. I could only imagine how shameful I must've looked, so full or terror and rage. The two intense emotions tearing me apart on the inside. My breaths still came in short pants, my mouth agape, my stomach twisting into knots. "Are you really that surprised? I even said I'd be back for you." He admonished as he looked me over. Am I going to die? I asked myself as the demon stood and looked down at me. "Get up. That floor is filthy." He commanded, but I couldn't move. He gaze turned to an annoyed one and with a curl of his finger I stood straight up against my will. He's playing with me.
"If you're going to kill me. Just do it! You think I care!?" I yelled, my energy and spirit renewed by my rage. He strode up to me, interested all of the sudden. His fingers grazing over my cheek as his black eyes locked onto mine.
"You think I have come here to kill you?" He asked, sounding somewhat hurt at my words. Or as hurt as a soul entrapping monster can sound. "You have nothing to fear, my darling, I will not harm you unless you provoke me. I've come here simply to have a chat." Even with his proclamation my heart didn't cease its hammering. The demon circled me like a vulture as I stayed perfectly still. "Will you listen to what I have to say?" He asked next to my ear. My eyes flicked to the fiery cage he snared me in and felt a snarl twist my lips.
"It looks like you have given me little choice." I ground out as my hands gripped onto my daggers even harder. He looked around admiring his fire wall, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"That's the spirit! I was worried you'd be like most mortals and just stand there trembling the entire time. Far too many of the souls I come across do." He explained as he leant next to my ear. "That's why I find speaking with you so…refreshing." He whispered in my ear, sounding absolutely delighted with himself or me. I spun on him and held my daggers up in a defensive position. He sat back on his heels as he looked me over. "You're different than other humans though. Stronger than most and you don't even realize it. Not even your wretch of a Father realized it until it was too late for him." His black eyes blinked back to Tayen's icy blue as he spat at the ground. I still don't even know how this is possible! How can he be here…physically? Or at least somewhat physically…
"How are you here!? It doesn't make sense!" I asked him angrily as I watched his every movement. He spread his arms out wide with an even wider smile directed at me.
"The veil between our worlds is weakened, child. The Breach allows demons to flow from the depths of the Fade." He explained as he lowered his arms back down to his side. I shook my head in confusion.
"The Herald and I stopped the Breach-!"
"You may have stopped its growing, but you by no means closed it." He pointed out with a wide grin. I kept my face composed, but on the inside I was terrified. Maker this shouldn't be possible. "Even in its state of stasis, it still makes coming here in this form much, much easier." He added with a laugh in his voice. "I mean before there would have to be a lot more sacrifices than just these men. I'm talking dozens." He chortled as he looked at the dead soldiers like they were not even there. "But, anything for my favorite mortal." He added as he flashed a smile back at me. My eyes fell to the soldiers and in moments I felt my blood boiling. What if it hadn't just been these soldiers? What if it had been the entire town? What if Cullen hadn't come with me and he'd been down here? What if Leliana had been?
"Why have you come back?!" I demanded. He says he's not here to kill me, but that is what he promised all those years back. So, why now was he being so secretive? What did he have up his sleeve?
"In due time, dearest. But, the things I have in mind for you…" He let out a pleasurable sigh and looked directly into my eyes. "Well, that I can hardly wait for." He added as he toyed with a lock of my hair that I just realized was hanging down around my face. His hand rubbed against my cheek and I flinched away from him.
"Get away from me." I hissed and held my daggers back up in a defensive position. He tilted his head towards me, a malicious grin splitting his face as his eyes flickered back to black. "I want nothing to do with you." I growled angrily and whipped my blades around myself to try and catch him. He, however, caught my arm and swung me away from him like I was nothing.
"Oh my sweet, sweet Quinn. Believe me, you want everything to do with me." He said and looked towards Cullen and Leliana and laughed. "They won't understand you, you know? When they find out everything about you, they'll shut you out. Fear you." He hissed next to my ear. "Such simple, one dimensional creatures, aren't they? Fighting for what? Faith, love, their home?" He mocked as he looked at them with distaste. "But you…you're different. You fight to find purpose. You fight to survive. But, you will not survive here. My master will reap this land without mercy." He added with a smirk. "You're special, Quinn Thedran, you have something I need and for that you are very valuable to me." He said, his eyes sliding from my companions to me. "Join the winning team. What do you say?" He asked and immediately my mind screamed a resounding no. My lips, however, wouldn't form the suddenly materialized beside me, his lips next to my ear as I stared at Cullen and Leliana through the flames. They were shouting for me, but their words did not reach my ears as the demon whispered to me. "Not only are you special to me…but to my Master as well. You have something he wants as well, and he'll kill you for it, but I can save you. You only have to ask." He whispered and I found myself staring directly at Cullen. He shook his head at me, his wide whiskey colored eyes pleading me as his lips read 'Don't do this'.
"What part of I want nothing to do with you isn't clicking? Because I can rephrase it if you'd like." I hissed and threw him a dirty look as I sliced my blades towards him. He turned to smoke before me and I slid right through the air he was once standing in. I turned around looking for him, but didn't see him. I spun once again and sliced through the air when I heard him laugh.
"Quinn behind you!" Leliana screamed and I swung around and swiped at the demon, but he grabbed my arm and forced it back down. I swung up my other dagger and drove it through him, his grip loosing on my wrist.
"What do you want from me!?" I questioned again hoping he'd give me an answer. I twisted away and drove my dagger forward towards the shadowy form. He suddenly gripped my wrist and twisted it painfully making me drop the dagger. I glared as I tried to bring my other blade around, but my arm was stopped when his other hand came up. Before I could even register what happened I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder as it fell limply down to my side. He dislocated my shoulder!? I gasped loudly in pain as my arm hung useless at my side. He rolled his eyes and tossed me away like yesterday's trash. I grunted in pain upon hitting the ground, my dislocated shoulder jarring painfully. The adrenaline running through me, however, diminished the pain as I glared up at him.
"Try all you like you cannot defeat me." He said with an annoyed tone before he looked at his wrist. "Oh, will you look at the time? I'm going to be late for my next appointment. Thank you for the lovely chat, my darling Sparrow. Ta ta now." My eyes widened and I scrambled towards him.
"Don't you dare run!" I screamed and jumped towards him as he began to fade away.
"Oh, and happy belated birthday Quinn." He said and with a snap of his fingers everything vanished in the blink of an eye. The bodies of the soldiers, the demon and the flames. All that was left was a Sunray flower and the blood of the soldiers on the ground. I felt a scream of rage tear from my lips as I stared at the ground where he'd disappeared.
"Where did he go?" Leliana asked as she dropped to her knees in front of me. I shook my head.
"I don't know." I hissed as I stared at the ground underneath me. My friend placed her hand on my shoulder as I continued to look anywhere but her.
"Are you alright?" She asked and I looked up at her with a short nod. I stood up, only wobbling slightly, as I tried my hardest to not to fall over. I looked around me and saw nothing to show what had just happened. Everything was gone. Tayen- the demon was gone. My answers were gone. I fought against the anger that boiled inside me. My hand balled up into the sleeve of my opposite arm. Cullen stopped me as I walked out of the circle.
"Quinn…your arm…" He murmured as his fingers grazed my arm. "Let me help you with it." He offered, but I pulled away from him.
"I got it." I muttered and jolted it suddenly back into place. The anger inside of me burning away any pain I would've felt. I saw Cullen flinch in front of me, his eyes watching me with shock. I lowered my eyes away from him and turned my head towards Leliana. Without another word from either of them I moved past and towards the hallway leading back up into the Chantry and to the War Room.
"Come. I'm sure you have questions." I said to them over my shoulder.
I stood in the War Room staring at the beautifully wrapped gift in the center of the table. The letter scrawled in blood lying next to it. The haunting words of 'This was your choice' mocking me as I glared down at it.
"Ask me your questions." I ground out as I looked up at them, tearing my eyes from the confounded box. Both of them looked confused at where to start.
"My friend, who was that?" Leliana asked and I nodded before raising my eyes to her. My hand was sparking up next to me, but not nearly as bright as before. I was trying to control the delicious rage inside me that was just dying to be released. I needed to kill something or at least punch something.
"That was Tayen." I replied as my eyes connected with hers, my hand running briefly over my midsection before I realized what I was doing. I pulled my hand away noticing Cullen's eyes catching my movements, but refused to look at him. "My dead ex- fiancé." I added with a grimace and noticed the entire room seemed to lose the air inside of it. "But, that wasn't him. It was the demon that used his body as a damn meat suit." I hissed as I stared down at the War table.
"An abomination!?" Cullen practically shouted and I flinched at the harshness of his tone. I looked up at him and nodded with a grimace. "Hold a moment, you said 'dead'?" He asked and I nodded once more.
"Killed. It was the only way. He was going to murder half of my brothers and sisters. I couldn't allow that to happen." I explained and dropped my head down to the box sitting closed on the table. "Go on. Ask more questions, I know you have them." I said and didn't hear anything for a moment until I heard Cullen speak.
"What does he want with you?" He asked, sounding almost as if he didn't want to know. I ran a hand through my hair and grimaced.
"He wouldn't tell me." I ground out as I glared down at the box in front of me. "And the only person who actually knew is now dead." I added as my hands balled into fists.
"Your Father…" Cullen concluded. My hand flashed up at his words, my anger making the mark burn brighter. I looked down at my hand with interest before looking back up at him and nodding. "What does that note mean?" He asked as he pointed to it and my eyes drifted from the note with its haunting words. My eyes flicked to Leliana who frowned in my direction.
"I chose the Herald over my Father. That night the Herald almost died on the lake, the reason I knew what was happening was because I was given the choice to save the Herald or my Father." I explained, keeping my face blank.
"Why didn't you tell us then?" He asked suddenly making my head shoot up in confusion. I looked in between Cullen and Leliana. "Why did you keep this from us?" I saw a twinge of anger in his eyes as he leant against the table. I fought to control the anger I felt at his accusation, but considering everything I'd just gone through it seemed impossible. "We could've helped you! Maybe even saved those soldiers! Why did you leave us in the dark?" He asked stonily, his white knuckled grip on the pommel of his sword. My eyes narrowed into slits and I turned my scornful gaze on Cullen.
"Out of the two of you, you were the only one I left in the dark, Rutherford." I replied darkly noticing his hand clench on his sword even harder as his eyes narrowed into slits mirroring mine. Perhaps a little uncalled for… I reprimanded myself instantly knowing he would get angry now.
"And because of that five of our soldiers died! Because of that we had no idea a demon was going to march into our camp! But you did and you didn't warn us!" He argued back, fueling my anger. He thought I knew that the man I met on the mountain was a demon!? I heard Leliana try to intervene, but I cut her off.
"Do you think me a moron? Do you think I would risk everyone's lives here?! I didn't know he was a demon, I didn't even know who he was when we were in the Pass!" I threw back at him with a dirty look. "I killed him six years ago and suddenly he's back!? How was I to know it was him!?" I asked angrily, my chest heaving as I glared at him. He glared back, his nostrils flaring making creases appear between his eye brows. He looked angrier than I'd ever seen him before and it was all focused at me.
"Is it true? Are you an assassin as well?" He asked shortly catching me off guard. I nodded a bit awkwardly, but kept the same constant glare in my eyes.
"Yes, but that is not what is important-"
"To the Void with importance! You've lied to me about everything and I want the truth!" He hissed at me and I felt a snarl twist my lips. "Was anything you told me true?" He asked with the same heat radiating from his words as what was in his eyes. They burned, the venom in his tone taking me by my surprise. It was enough to rattle me out of my angry state and switch tactics on him.
"We all have secrets, Commander. You are no different." I replied and saw his glare tighten.
"My secrets don't get people murdered." Fair point. I kept a straight face as I looked him over. "How can you expect people to trust you?" My hands tightened into tight balls as I glared at him.
"I don't." I started, shutting him up momentarily. "I don't give a flying fuck if you people trust me. I already told you I didn't know how this happened, and I think I've more than proved that I'd never willingly endanger any of you." I replied with a glare. "If you can't trust me beyond that it sounds like a personal problem." I said through bared teeth. 'They won't understand you, you know? When they find out everything about you, they'll shut you out. Fear you.' The demon's words hissed in my head as I watched Cullen angrily.
"But you have endangered us! That demon could've killed any of us!" He argued back and I felt my palm light up bright green. My rage pouring power into the mark. It didn't hurt this time, instead just made me feel stronger, but also angrier. I slammed my fist down on the table.
"I KNOW THAT!" I yelled at him. He didn't flinch, but Leliana on the left side of the table did. I turned my head to her as she moved towards me. A calming hand on my arm, but the fire in me refused to extinguish. I brushed her off and continued to glare at Cullen. "I didn't mean for this to happen! How many times do I have to say it before it seeps into that thick head of yours, Templar?" I asked enraged and saw his face turn stony. I kept my face straight, but I knew I had my shot. Going in for the kill.
"Quinn…" Leliana warned, but I didn't heed it.
"In fact, Commander, since you're so keen on trust and revealing secrets. Why don't we talk about that, hmm? You want me to explain my past, why don't we talk about yours?" I asked and saw him stiffen tenfold, hurling me a dirty look across the War table. "What? Not willing to delve into why being a Templar is such a touchy subject for you?" I asked careless and vicious, knowing I'd plucked a nerve. He was silent as his eyes closed for a moment and he took a deep breath. Controlling himself. He moved away from the table his dangerous dark whiskey eyes snarling at me as he strode around the table making for the door. He stopped next to me and looked down at me shortly.
"I thought you were different." He said coldly, despite the heat in his eyes. I raised my chin at him and smirked coldly back.
"The feeling's mutual, love." I replied coolly as his scarred lip curled into a snarl and he left with a slam of the door. I refused to cringe, but I was shaking internally. I was so angry, but at the same time I knew what I had said to him was wrong. I shouldn't have said those things to him, even if he did provoke me.
"He means well." Leliana said from behind me and I looked over my shoulder at her. Her calming presence usually brought me a bit of peace, but this time it did little to lower my temper. But, it did enough.
"Perhaps, but it was a mistake thinking he'd listen to me. I'm nothing but a security risk to him." I ground out as I looked back at the door shortly. She sighed and moved next to me and leant against the wall.
"Maybe. Or maybe for him it is more of a, as you say, 'personal problem'." She pointed out as she looked towards the door as well. "I'll speak with him."
"Leliana, don't." I said and looked down at my hands, more importantly my sparking green palm. It was a good thing he wanted nothing to do with me. Only bad things could happen for him. She was silent for a moment before nodding.
"You should get some sleep. We'll continue discussing what has happened in the morning when the Herald and his party are back." I nodded and together we walked out of the Chantry and looked around for a moment before continuing. We continued walking, but out of the corner of my eye I caught movement and felt the heat of eyes on me. My eyes slid over to Leli and noticed her look to me with the same look. She feels it too. I listened carefully as we moved through the camp and stopped at my cabin.
"Fair weather out, isn't it?" I asked and I saw her nod with a smirk in her eyes. Our code, whenever we felt someone was watching us or we might be in potential danger we would say those words. It was something we'd done since we met.
"Fair weather indeed." She agreed meeting my eyes. "I will have guards posted in the morning to you. Sleep well, Sparrow." She said with a tip of her head and I smiled, tipping my head as well as she left. I looked around my cabin for a moment and grimaced. Sparrow. That name had a bad taste in my mouth all of the sudden. A reminder of the Father I betrayed. I tried to shake the thoughts from my head, but they wouldn't leave me. I flopped a bit ungracefully onto my bed and sighed sadly, my eyes glued to ceiling for what felt like hours. My thoughts swirling around the events that just took place. It all happened so fast it was hard to process, and I partially didn't want to. I didn't want to feel regret for what I did, because I knew I shouldn't. I chose the Herald because he can save the world. I did the right thing…didn't I? One man's life does not outweigh the lives of millions. No matter who he is. I'd made the same choice if it was anyone else. But…still. He was my Father. The man who raised me…dead. Just like that. No closure, no goodbyes…just dead. I never thought it would be like this…in fact I thought he'd outlive me. He's careful and cautious, always ten steps ahead of everyone else…so how did he get killed? I thought back to the demon's words, how he said my Father had the same expression that I did. The horror and shock…only my Father didn't have something the demon wanted. I guess I am lucky. My mind mused in a cruel tone. If you can even call it luck, it's probably more somewhere along the lines of screwed than lucky. I closed my eyes for a second and saw my Father's image flash in my mind, back when he used to smile and train with me. Back when my Mother was alive…
Father… I felt tears prick my eyes, but I bit them back and forced myself to sit up on the bed. It was quite evident to me I wasn't getting any sleep tonight. Too much shit had happened, which seems to be an everyday occurrence now that I think about it. My life went from good to bad so quickly. One minute I'm sitting on a beach with Cullen, the next I trade the beach for a fiery cell and a demon. I stood abruptly from the bed my eyes drawing to the mirror as quiet rage for my Father's death and that blasted demon coming back to life, and Cullen yelling at me all fused into one focused ball of heat in my chest. I tried to remain calm, to force it back down. Without warning my fist flew out and punched the mirror, shattering it into tiny pieces. My eyes widened marginally as I looked to my hand and then the falling glass. I pulled my hand away and examined it for a moment making sure no shards had gotten stuck in it. Suddenly a knock came at the door and I twisted to the sound and pulled my hand behind my cloak and opened the door. Looking around I saw nothing, but empty torch lit alleyways and dark cabins. My eyes moved around, scanning the area suspiciously, but still didn't see anything. Slowly, I exited the cabin and strode along the alleyway listening for any sound while also acting normal. I needed to do a quick sweep of the town, just to be safe. My daggers hummed at my hips, dying to be used, but I ignored their pleas as I moved through cramped alleyways and around the bar. Everything was closed except for the bar, I guess for people who like staying awake all hours of the night. Or the watch guards. I discreetly I looked between the shutters and froze when I saw Cullen sitting inside with an ale in his hand. I watched him as he stared down at some paper in his opposite hand. Beside myself a smile came to my lips. Shiny boots never stops working, does he? I mused, but quickly scorned myself. Moron. He's going to wear himself out. I hissed in response to my scorning.
"Do you wan' another, Commander?" A pretty barmaid asked and I felt an unfamiliar twist in my gut as she leant over in front of him wiping down the table. Her rather large breasts nearly falling out of her bustier.
"No. Thank you." Cullen responded politely making a smile come to my lips. He probably doesn't even notice. I watched as she frowned prettily before placing both hands on her hips and bending over. Her hand hovering just his armored shoulder.
"Is there anythin' else I can do for ya'?" She asked and I nearly laughed at her poor attempt at seducing the Commander. Is Cullen going to get laid? I asked myself, the same unfamiliar painful twist in my stomach appearing before I rolled my eyes, ignoring the strange feeling.
"No, but there is a soldier over there who's just gotten off his guard duty. Perhaps you could tend to him?" He asked kindly, and oh-so-obliviously as he looked over at the soldier barely holding his head up and nodded reluctantly. Better luck next time, sweet cheeks. I mused in my head and let out a quiet snicker, but flinched when I saw Cullen's eyes move to the window I was at. His piercing golden eyes looking for me as I ducked behind the wall and slid to the opposite side of the wall. I leant up against the wall and waited as the door swung open and I heard Cullen walking over to the window.
"Is someone there?" He asked, but I didn't answer instead I watched him as he looked around. He looked annoyingly handsome in the moonlight. His head turned towards the tavern wall I was standing behind and I pulled myself back so he wouldn't see me. I heard his footsteps approaching and my eyes lifted to the roof of the tavern. I could let him find me…but I also didn't want to talk. Plus, I was kind of spying on him. With ease I leapt onto the side of the tavern and silently scrambled just onto the roof. I watched in silence as he moved around the wall of the tavern cautiously. He released the pommel of his sword.
"Commander? Is something wrong?" The barmaid asked through the window and I grinned as he rolled his eyes. Shaking his head he walked back towards the door and with one last look he closed the door again and disappeared into the Tavern. I slid silently off the roof and landed quietly in the snow before making way around Haven. I padded down the stairs, but paused when I saw two guards walking towards me. I slid from view, going completely unnoticed as I went left at the gates to Haven. For a moment I wondered why I was hiding from everyone. I want to be left alone. That's an obvious reason, but I think it was just something that came natural. Hiding and not being seen is what I'm good at. Precisely the reason I am not the Herald of Andraste. Moving through the darkness I came up to a large trebuchet. I moved closer to it, my hand running over the wooden masterpiece. What do we need siege engines for? I asked myself, but then again we can never be too careful…I guess. My eyes drew from the trebuchet to a wooden and metal contraption just to the left of it. In the front balancing posts were line about 4 feet high, a punching bag hung above it that seemed to be on a zip line. Behind those were gymnast bars directly connected to a wall with small begs placed every which way. I smiled brightly to myself as I walked up to the contraption and found a card nailed to the first post.
"To Quinn,
I'm sure you will find this before I can show it to you. But, this is your Name day present. It was the closest one I could find to the one the Divine had for us. I figured you might have been getting bored with just hitting dummies and going for runs.
Your friend, Leliana"
I smiled to myself as I nailed the note back into place and smiled for a moment before shirking off my jacket and leaping onto the balancing posts. Landing with perfect balance I held my fists up and began assaulting the punching bag. I punched the bag hard to the left and flipped onto a separate balance post and waited until the bag came back. I dodged and spun, delivering a sharp kick to the bag of sand. I rehearsed the drills that I'd done for years, my body working in familiar ways around the posts and the punching bag. I panted as I placed my hands on my knees.
"Don't stop, Quinn. If you stop you won't get stronger. You want to be strong, don't you?" My Father's voice echoed through the training room. He held up his hand and the dummies halted their movements.
"I want to be the strongest." I called back to him, and with a flash of a smile he raised his hand and the dummies started again. He clapped in time with my movements as I slid around the dummies, my arms moving on their own volition as I methodically cut through them.
With renewed strength I began punching the bag again. I want to be the strongest. I have to be the strongest. I continued my onslaught on the punching bag. Hair flying in my face as I continued to punch and dodge, concentrating where my feet were careful not to fall. My mind wandered as I thought over what happened today and my heart beat faster. I swear Father, on my life I'll kill the man or thing that killed you. You will have your justice. I hissed in my head and punched the bag especially hard and it buckled unexpectedly and whipped right back at me. I quickly flipped away from it and landed on the balancing post on my palm and twisted my body around, but stopped when I felt my shoulder scream in pain. I gasped in pain and fell off the post and landed on the ground with a grunt. I closed my eyes in anger and grabbed my shoulder.
"Damn it." I cursed as I rubbed the sore muscles. It was popped back in place, it shouldn't still be hurting…right? I shivered at the memory of him so easily popping it out of its socket and gripped my shoulder a bit tighter. Maker if he could pop my shoulder out of socket that easily, then what else is he capable of? I asked myself as I dropped my head against a balancing post and looked up at the stars, the moon and the Breach as it lit the ground around me. Reaching down I grabbed a ball of snow and placed it on my sore shoulder. Maker when did my life get so screwed up? Or was it always screwed up? I sagged against the post and looked up at the sky as exhaustion gripped me and dragged me under.
A loud bang sounded around me and I groaned audibly as I rolled over onto my side.
"Five more minutes." I called out, not even opening my eyes yet. Another pound came at the door and I groaned again. As I lifted myself off the bed, but froze when a realization hit me. How did I get to my room? Did I sleepwalk? I asked myself, my mind racing for an answer, but none came to me. I looked down at myself and noticed I was still wearing the same clothes, but my cloak was hung up on the wall. Who in Andraste's name took me back to my room?! I looked to the door as another bang came at the door. I threw myself from the bed, snatched my cloak off of the wall and marched up to the door. Swing it open I scowled at the people in the doorway. "By the Maker I-" I paused when I saw Leliana standing with two scouts at her side.
"Good Morning to you too, Lady Protector." Leliana said with a grin. I rolled my eyes at her and leant against the door frame.
"Good morning, Sister Leliana. What can I do for you?" I asked, eliciting a small smile from her.
"Actually, it is what I can do you. These are the two guards I am placing as your protection." She said and I lifted an eye brow at her. "This man's name is Oran." She said and gestured to the man who smiled shortly at me and bowed his head. He had a strange sense of familiarity about him, but I couldn't place it. "…and you may know this one, his name is-" I turned my head to look at the other man, but he was already very close and grabbed my hand. He kissed it feverishly before I pulled it away with awkward disgust.
"Jim, My Lady Protector! I swear on my life no one will harm you, not while I'm alive!" He shouted energetically with a bright smile. My eyes widened fractionally as I looked to Leliana wondering if she was serious or not.
"You idiot." Oran mumbled still next to Leliana. Jim turned to him and glared like a little boy. I giggled at them both, but I caught movement just over Leliana's shoulder. A blonde head bouncing along the path to the Chantry. Cullen. His eyes caught mine only briefly before he turned back and moved inside the Chantry allowing one of the sisters in before him. I looked back to Leliana as she nodded for me to follow her.
"The Herald has arrived. We have summoned a War Council to go over everything that the Herald has accomplished in Val Royeaux, and the events of last night." She said cordially as I moved in step with her. She looked over at me briefly as I cringed. That's not going to be fun.
"So, should I get the shackles on now? Save Cassandra some time?" I asked and saw a grimace twist her thin lips as she looked over at me.
"You have not done anything wrong, Quinn. There will be no reason to arrest you." She replied as she looked over her shoulder as we entered the Chantry. "Besides, the Herald wouldn't let that happen. He seems to be rather fond of you." She said as she looked back to me with a comforting smile. We strode into the Chantry, but I stopped at the door and gave her a short grin.
"Well, this is gonna suck." I grunted and pushed the door open with a loud creak. Leliana moved to the opposite side of the table to the left of Cullen. Josephine was standing on the right side of him. All, however, were silent. I leant against the not very well lit area of the wall and crossed my arms waiting for the Herald to walk in. I felt the heat of Cullen's gaze on me every once in a while, and I heard someone about to speak up when the door suddenly opened. My eyes turned to it and I saw the Herald and Cassandra walk into the room.
"Hello." The Herald greeted a little awkwardly. He scanned the room and his eyes found mine. "Lady Protector! How are you-I mean, how was the mission?" He asked excitedly and I felt a small smile appear on my lips.
"Hello Herald. The mission was good, we acquired the Bull's chargers." I informed and saw him smile wider.
"I knew you would." He replied with a bright smile, but beside him I heard Cassandra scoff.
"Can we get on with this?" Cassandra asked as she looked towards the ambassadors. After that she commenced retelling everything that they'd accomplished in Val Royeaux and the people they'd recruited. I dropped my head knowing I was up soon to tell them everything that happened the night before. A frown placed itself on my lips as I felt anxiety twist my stomach painfully. My eyes flicked over to Cullen, and noticed him look away quickly before gluing his eyes to the War map. Their conversation continued until they were told to move onto the next order of business. I found Leliana's gaze and pulled on an impassive look.
"There is something else we need to discuss. Something transpired last night that needs everyone's attention." She said and looked to me. "The Lady Protector will explain." I looked from her to the Herald of Andraste and grimaced. Here goes nothing. I took a deep breath and told them everything about the night before.