My eyebrows were knitted together as my eyes trained themselves dutifully on the path before us. The cold wind of the Frostbacks nipped at my flesh through my jacket, raising at the hairs as we got closer to Haven. It had been about three hours and we'd finally gotten out of the Hinterlands to where the earth was starting to get speckled with snow. Cullen's horse started to pant heavily, puffs of breath coming from its nostrils. My left hand released the reins and moved to her forehead to feel for a temperature. Her fever is coming back. I pulled back the reins a little to slow the horse. Cullen did the same and moved up next to me. He didn't question my stopping, knowing him he already had guessed it. Lisette stirred at the sudden change of speed, a small sound of confusion coming from her. I looked at the girl and felt her head noticing her shiver quietly. Her fever had returned, a sheen of sweat dampening my palm. She coughed loudly, her hand catching the blood that came from her lips. I frowned as I uncorked the bottle with my teeth and held it to her lips.
"Here, drink this. It'll help." I coaxed, spitting the cork on the ground before making her part her lips and down the contents of the bottle. After a minute or so her fever started to break, but she was still shivering. With a quiet sigh, I slid my cloak off and pulled it around her, clipping it shut in the front. She thanked me quietly as she continued to shiver, but far less.
"But, won't you get cold?" She asked quietly as she looked to me over her shoulder. I didn't look down at her as I shook my head.
"I'll be fine. You need it more than I do." I replied quietly as she nodded and released another cough.
"Where...are we?" She asked weakly as we trotted through the woods. I watched the trail guiding the horse as we bobbed along.
"Out of the Hinterlands, not far from Haven now." I replied softly as the wind whistled past us. She nodded into my shoulder stifling a cough. Cullen's eyes shifted to her, a kind smile on his face.
"How are you feeling?" Cullen asked her and her eyes widened slightly.
"Commander Rutherford?" She squeaked before coughing again. I rubbed her back as she continued to convulse.
"Calm down, kid." I murmured as I patted her back hoping she'd stop coughing. More blood splattered on her hand and I frowned as I leant over and pulled a clean towel from the pack and placed it in her hand.
"I apologize. I did not mean to startle you." He apologized looking over her as she blushed a bright pink. "Her face is very red, is her fever not breaking?. Do you have any more of those potions?" He asked and I looked down at her and rolled my eyes at his concern as I touched her forehead. I let out a quiet laugh as she stiffened and ducked her head in shame.
"I don't think the potion can cure a blush." I teased keeping my voice low. She let out a tiny, nervous laugh as her coughs started again. I frowned as the towel she was holding was splattered with bright red blood. She wheezed as she inhaled heavily. She looked like she wanted to say something, but her coughs were not permitting her. My eyes shifted to Cullen as he rifled through his pack producing a water skin. He handed it to me and I to her. She swished the water around in her mouth and spit it out before taking a gulp of water, gasping out a quiet thank you to him.
"Lady Protector I wanted to apologize for Allen yelling at you. He's a good man, he's just scared." She murmured eliciting a quiet breathy chuckle from me.
"I don't hold it against him. I've done worse things than yell at people for those I care for." I replied and she nodded as she leant forward again to cough.
"But-" she coughed again. "-what he said. About you being heartless. It wasn't right." She coughed again and I frowned as I rubbed her back, even though I knew it wouldn't help. Maybe it would be comforting? Shit I'm terrible at this. I wish I had my Mother's grace when it came to stuff like this. She was gentle and kind and always knew what to do in situations when comfort needed to be offered. I'm awkward and unhelpful in comparison.
"It was an interesting choice of words. Can't say it's the first time I've heard it though, and you know if the boot fits and all..." I said only slightly joking with her hoping my terrible sense of humor would comfort her better than my actions could.
"But, you do care." She protested causing me to pause momentarily. What did she know? She didn't know me, what I've done. She's just acting on what she thinks she knows about me. I wanted to retort, tell her she was wrong that I didn't care. That I was heartless and cruel and cold. It would be easier, perhaps I could even trick myself. I remained silent after that. I didn't want to argue with a dying girl and I certainly didn't want to think about it anymore. But what she said bothered me because I did care and she called me out on it, even though I knew I shouldn't. I sighed and looked over at Cullen who averted his eyes quickly. He probably was thinking the same thing as her. Probably wanted to join in, in her argument that I was actually a good person. Two peas in a pod these two. It was in that moment that I felt it, the strange yet familiar sensation of danger rolling over me. My eyes immediately darted around us as I warned him by calling out his name quietly. He looked to me and then around in confusion.
"What's wrong? Did you hear something?" He asked quietly back. I shook my head 'no' in response as my eyes continued to scan for the unseen enemy. That's exactly the problem. I didn't hear or see an enemy, I just...got this feeling. My left hand stayed on the reins of the horse while the other reached for my dagger. The glowing blade that I still had humming to life under my touch.
"Is something wrong?" Lisette asked in front of me. I didn't respond as I watched for the enemies. Cullen placed his hand on the pommel of his sword, his eyes moved to me, but I didn't meet his gaze as I watched the trail. He moved closer to me and quietly spoke.
"Listen to me. If something goes wrong I want you to go. Ride as hard as you can back to Haven with her. I will take care of things and join you shortly." I frowned and shook my head refusing to look at him. So that's why he gave me the faster horse.
"You're being irritatingly gallant, Commander. I am not inept." I replied and noticed him frown out of the corner of my eye. He sighed and shot me a stern look.
"Lady Thedran I'm ser-"
"Two people fair a better chance at survival than one." I replied as I finally met his gaze. He lifted an eyebrow at me momentarily quiet, but I knew it wouldn't last. Ugh, I hate it when he acts as if I'm some delicate Chantry sister. The thought of it made me sick.
"You realize the irony in that statement, don't you? Considering past events." He asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Hmm, got me there.
"And you realize the irony of a Commander refuting the most logical course of action, yes?" I asked with a smirk on my lips. In response he lifted an eyebrow at me a flicker of a smile coming to his lips. He knew I was right. His scar twitched and I had to force myself not to look at it. Damn that sexy scar. It's distracting. He's distracting.
"Touché." He replied as we both drew our eyes back to the trail in front of us. The horses had stopped panting, but I still felt the looming danger around us. I noticed Cullen stiffen as my ears perked up. There was rustling in the brush up ahead of us and almost instantly Cullen leapt from his horse quietly. "Stay on the horse." He whispered as he held up his hand to me. He pulled his sword and walked towards the brush. I watched closely as I looped a finger through a throwing knife. The sound was so small either it was someone who was lighter than me on their feet or it was- Cullen hurriedly pushed the brush aside and pulled his sword up, poised for attack. The two nugs squeaked in fear as the one on top fell over and the two scurried over top of each other trying to get away from Cullen whose face showed a bright pink blush. I stifled a laugh and even Lisette let out a tiny breath. Cullen turned to us before dutifully moving right back to his horse. He paused as he grabbed the reins. "Not a word." He grumbled making my smile spread.
"I'm just glad you were here. Those terrifying beasts might've been my undoing." I teased noticing the blush that hit his ears. He turned a scowl on me before gently whipping the reins. I followed him, my horse trotting next to his when suddenly a loud roar sounded off next to my horse and I gasped as a mass of black fur launched itself at me from the elevated ground next to me. I couldn't react fast enough as the bears massive paw hit me in my side and knocked me off my horse. I hit the ground with a grunt and rolled onto my side to see the bear shaking the dirt from its coat as it watched me. Sweet Andraste's Tits that thing is huge. It's black eyes reflected my image as it moved forward, cuts and scars lined its body and face showing its victory over previous battles. I growled as I pulled my daggers and twisted into a standing position. The black beast roared and launched itself at me, its massive paws going for my waist. I rolled to dodge its attack before bounding up and driving my blade into its hide. My blades barely pierced it. Shit. It roared and slapped me away with ease. I tumbled into a tree, my back hitting the bark hard causing splintering pain all the way down to my toes. I smirked at the beast and readied my blades as it attacked again. My blades readied themselves for the attack when a shock of blonde hair tackled my attacker. My eyes widened as I watched Cullen roll away from the bear with his sword and shield raised. The bear roared at him and lifted a great paw before bashing it into Cullen's shield. Cullen glanced the blow away and drove his sword forward. The black beast roared in pain and pulled away before attacking him again. The bear pounded against Cullen's shield as I ran forward and slashed my daggers across its legs. It reared back and tried to knock me away again, but I dodged the attack which gave Cullen enough time to attack the bear again. My blade snapped into the bear's hide again, but this time I wasn't quick enough with pulling my blades out and it kicked me away leaving my blades in its side. I watched from the ground as it launched at Cullen with more fervor than before and tackled him. I gasped and scrambled to my feet. Cullen grunted as he held his shield in front of the bears attacks, still pinned against the earth. I ran forward and leapt on top of the bear and wrapped my arms around its neck putting it in a headlock. It tried to knock me off, but I didn't let go as I continued to strangle it. Abruptly the bear threw its back onto the ground and me with it. I pulled off just in time to miss being crushed as I scrambled for Cullen's sword. The bear roared towards me as I grabbed the sword a few feet from Cullen. I spun and slashed upwards with the heavy blade. Blood sprayed as the bear tumbled onto the ground past me breathing its last breath. I wobbled slightly from exertion and looked to Cullen who was watching me with wide eyes. He ran a hand through his hair to fix it as he panted. "Well, that was fun." I panted with a smile on my face as I shifted my weight. I heard him faintly chuckle to my right before he moved towards me. I lifted his blade and groaned at how heavy it was as I wiped the blood off it on my arm band.
"Maker's breath-that was, you were-" He paused as he collected himself. "You fought well." He complimented as he looked back at the bear. "I didn't know you knew how to wield a sword." I smirked before handing the blade over to him. I leant down and grabbed my daggers from the dead bear.
"That was hardly wielding, but yes I know the basics. Pointy end goes in the enemy." He chuckled as he looked down at me clicking his sword into place in his sheath. From beside us I faintly heard a wheezing cough catching both of our attention. Lisette wobbled on the horse and I rushed forth to catch her as she nearly fell off the horse. "Lisette!" I gasped as I looked up at her, blood dribbling from her lips. Her eyes were unfocused and clouded, her pale skin looking more ashen by the moment. I shook my head and looked back at Cullen feeling slightly panicked. "We need to hurry." I announced urgently as we both leapt onto our horses. Without another word we bolted off towards Haven as fast as the horses could carry us.
We rode hard into Haven, the horses hooves leaving clouds of snow behind us. I held onto Lisette as we came to the stables, her small frame seeming frail and broken with every tremble. Two soldiers were waiting by the stairs with a gurney and Leliana standing at the top looking directly at us. I pulled Lisette into my arms noticing her breathing was faint and shallow. I placed her gently on the gurney and the two soldiers took her straight towards Solas's cabin.
"We received your letter, Commander. Solas is ready to help the girl." Leliana announced as Cullen and I walked up the staircase. "Adan has also been instructed to help in anyway he can." She added as we moved towards Solas's cabin. The wise elf stood in front of the small house and opened the door for the soldiers. He looked to me, beckoning me forward with a wave of his hand. I obeyed and moved into the cabin with him. The two soldiers moved Lisette onto the cot and then exited the building as Solas walked around her.
"The Commander was very undescriptive when he sent the letter. I need to know what happened." He said as his eyes closed and his hands started to glow a soft blue, the same color from when he healed me.
"She keeps coughing up blood. The healers said that it might be a punctured lung, but they couldn't find anything like a broken rib that would cause it." I responded as he scanned her back with his glowing hand. She groaned quietly before wheezing again. I squated down in front of her and held up a towel that was originally sitting on the table next to me against her lips. She convulsed as she coughed into the towel, splattering it with red. I pulled it away, but found myself staring at it noticing small tints of other liquid in it that I hadn't noticed before. I frowned as I looked up at Solas.
"I need to know what happened to her. How was she injured? Could she have been poisoned?" He asked and I shook my head.
"An enemy threw her around a bit and rendered her unconscious, but she came in no contact with any poison, at least not that I know of." I replied and he nodded as he looked down at her again.
"Thank you, Lady Protector. I shall do my best." He said as I nodded and stood. Just as I did, the door opened and Adan walked in giving me a short nod as he held the door for me. I thanked him quietly before leaving. I exited the cabin with a frown trying to think back to anything that could possibly help her, but I was coming up blank. Unless she'd been introduced to a poison before I found her, but that didn't seem likely. Frustratedly I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. Solas can help her. I'm sure of it. I looked forward and saw only a soldier standing by Adan's cabin. I frowned wondering where Cullen and Leliana had gone off to when I heard a soldier call out for me.
"My Lady Protector, Sister Leliana asked you to meet her in her tent." The soldiers informed with a short bow. I nodded back to the girl and walked towards the Chantry and turned left into her tent. She looked over at me from her desk with a short nod.
"You have been quite busy, my friend. Decided to do a little impromptu rescuing, hmm?" She asked with a well known smirk on her lips.
"You know me, ever the good samaritan." I replied. That seemed to be very funny to her because almost immediately she started to laugh. I lifted an eyebrow at her as I waited patiently with my arms crossed, but felt a smile pulling at my lips.
"Thank you, my friend. I needed a good laugh." She teased and I let out a small laugh too.
"Thanks for that." I grumbled, but couldn't help but smile. She chuckled at me before shaking her head some scarlet strands falling in her face. She looked less troubled today and that was a relief. I knew it wouldn't affect her work, she'd never let that happen. The death of the Divine had affected her greatly, I pray she doesn't blame herself.
"Quinn, I've been meaning to ask you, but to be honest I was not sure if I should…" She started as she turned back towards her desk. "I'm asking you as your friend, are you doing alright?" She asked as she looked over at me briefly. "According to the Herald and the Commander you've been acting as if you are fine. However, Cullen seems to think there is more. He said before you left he mentioned your Father and you reacted strangely. Like you were-"
"I'm fine, Leli. I just…I need sometime. The Divine...And now my Father. It's just...I'll be fine. I promise." I replied. It was the truth, or at least a portion of it. She knew I wasn't telling her all of it, but she also had her own grievances to come to terms with. I couldn't put more on her plate. She nodded with a short smile before looking down at the reports under her palm.
"I understand, I just wanted to make sure you were alright." She said as she discreetly pushed the reports away, but I saw it. She knew I did almost immediately as I looked from her to the papers. She sighed and looked down at the papers. "I...had Solas examine the site where the Demon had appeared. Before Cullen left with the troops he was with him in case anything were to go wrong. Solas was able to figure out how the demon was brought here. Someone infiltrated the camp, a mage, possibly the man we captured. He summoned the demon with blood magic, but it also cost his life." She said and I frowned as I looked down at my hands. "We told him everything that happened, and he said that...the demon took you into the Fade or somewhere inbetween. Solas had to stop his magic because whatever demon came after you is powerful and old and some of his magic created a barrier of some kind to keep him out. I am sorry we could not find out more, but the Commander was worried if we pushed it then Solas might be harmed. We already put him at risk with asking him to do this." I nodded and hugged my arms.
"No, don't be sorry. The Commander was right, you all took a big enough risk for me and I thank you for that." I replied as she watched me carefully. "It is troubling though. All of this is troubling, however I cannot focus on that right now. When the Herald returns we need to speak of what is happening in Redcliffe. A magister is involved which is never a good sign." I informed and she nodded as she leant against the post in the middle of her tent.
"When he returns we will summon a war council and discuss exactly what happened." She said with a nod. I smiled and rolled my shoulders.
"Until then, Leliana." I replied and departed from her tent. I was walking nowhere in particular, my mind stuck on what she'd told me. This demon was old and powerful, which is nothing I hadn't thought. I'd read up on them after what happened to Tayen. My Father's library was expansive, but he didn't have much on demons and the life. When Tayen was turned into an abomination he had looked the same, not like the monsters that I'd seen in the sketches. Even the creatures that I'd seen in Dumonde. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. Their skin so gruesome and purplish, bubbled and oozing. Their hands like claws and their eyes beady and unseeing. A voice so distorted and terrifying that it made my hair raise. The first time I'd seen one like that was a girl no older than thirteen in Dumonde. She was cornered by Templars, I hadn't realized she was a mage until I got close, until it was too late. She stabbed a blade into her palm and only a moment later her skin started to deform and she screamed as the demon came forth. My breath hitched in my throat at the memory of it and I shook my head attempting to clear it again. I paused in my steps when I found myself standing in front of my training equipment. Sighing I nodded and rolled my shoulders again. I guess I should train. Kill some time.
1,2,3,4. 1,2,3,4. 1,2, 1,2.
My fists drove into the punching bag to the rhythm that I chanted in my head. I danced across the balancing posts landing punches with a few kicks thrown in just to spice it up. I was sweaty and hot, even though I'd long since abandoned my overcoat. It would be tempting to take off my shirt, but that might be a bit too much for the folk around here even if it was nothing to me. I focused on the bag again, my fists still landing hits on the bag to the rhythm.
1,2,3,4. 1,2,3,4. 1,2 1,2.
I was panting now from exertion. I'd been training for about two hours now and I was definitely starting to feel it, but I had this energy inside me that didn't want to stop. I glared at the bag as I continued my assault on the unlucky bag. The chains holding it squealed with every punch making me want to hit it harder, make it cry out louder to me.
"Hey Quinn, there you are. I was looking for you everywhere." Tayen called out across the room as I continued to assault the dummies. He paused at the door, watching me no doubt as my muscles flexed with each punch. "How long have you been down here? I thought you were supposed to go see your Fathe...oh. What happened?" He asked as I grunted in annoyance either at him or at the dummy or at my Father, I wasn't sure.
"I don't want to talk about it, Tayen." I replied as I continued to punch. It was the truth, I didn't want to talk about. I didn't even want to think about it. My Father's harsh critique on my last mission when I'd done exactly what I was supposed to. I'd pulled it off without a single flaw and he'd had the nerve to pick out anything to the minor detail that could've gone wrong. He'd told me I'd get myself killed, that I'd be a sub par assassin who only relied on luck to survive. That I was slow because I didn't train as much as I should, which is ridiculous. Then only times I'm not training is when I'm sleeping the sparse amount I'm allowed or eating or planning my next mission. Tayen's hand came to my arm and I shoved him away angrily. I didn't want him to comfort me. I didn't need it, but he offered it again. His hand grabbed my arm a bit more forcefully. He spun me and pulled me into his arms, crushing me to his chest.
"You don't have to talk about it, but I know you need me." He whispered as he hugged me. His head resting on top of mine. With a deep breath I nodded and held onto him for comfort, neither of us saying a word.
I panted as I continued my assault on the bag. My fists leaving indentations for seconds after the punch left the bag before returning to its usual form.
"Sloppy. Someone could easily snap your forearm." My Father critiqued from behind me. I growled, pausing before returning to attacking the bag. I watched my movements, nothing I was doing was different than what he'd taught me. He suddenly grabbed my shoulder roughly and wheeled me around. "Are you listening?" He asked in an annoyed tone. He spun me and held up his fists. "Attack." He ordered and I did so, throwing punches at him the way I'd rehearsed on the bag when suddenly he grabbed my arm and twisted before bringing his palm forward quickly jabbing at my thin forearm. I gasped in pain at the cracking sound that shattered my eardrums. My Father still held my arm in his hand a look of anger lighting his sharp features. "I told you." He growled as my shock muted the pain in my arm, but for only a moment. "You are supposed to be my daughter, the best of the Guild. You cannot afford to make such mistakes or you make me look weak." He said as he walked around me with an impassive gaze, the pain in my arm hitting me like a crashing wave. I bit back a scream as I held my bruising arm, my eyes fitting into a glare fixed at the ground.
"I'm sorry, Father." I spat. "I'll try harder."
"Good. Now go to Evangeline and get that healed. Your training will continue in two hours." With that he left me in the training room, the door clicking behind him.
There was a faint ache in my arm at the memory of his cruel lessons, but I didn't stop throwing punches. The image of the bag being replaced by my Father as I imagined pummelling him into the ground, breaking his arm the same way he'd broke mine. Anger renewing my strength, no longer feeling the burn of exertion in my muscles.
"He did WHAT!?" Tayen practically yelled as he paced the floor in front of me. His eyes moving away from me and my broken arm as Evangeline whisked towards me elegantly.
"Tayen...please calm down. I will heal her to my best ability-"
"You shouldn't have to Evangeline! She shouldn't even be in here! I've seen her fight, there is nothing wrong with her form!" Tayen argued as he continued to pace. "That son of a bitch! This is the fourth time that he's done something like this to you in the past two months! I'll kill him for this." He growled as he looked me over and I saw the pain almost outweighing the anger. Evangeline set my arm back in place and I bit my lip as I looked away trying to hide the pain. He was next to me in a second. His hand touched my hand and I wove our fingers together for comfort. His other hand came to the back of my head and he held me against his chest.
"I apologize, Quinn. There should be no more pain from here on out." Evangeline spoke up quietly as she continued to heal the wound.
"Yes, until the next time he decides to cause her harm. Then she'll be in here again, only next time it might not just be her arm. Maybe a rib or her clavicle?" He seethed at her, but it didn't make her pause as her cool touch continued to heal my arm.
"It's not her fault, Tayen." I remarked, chastising him for his rude tone towards kind Evangeline. The woman who had been the closest thing to a Mother I'd had since my real Mother died.
"No, it's his fault." He hissed as he held me. About an hour later she'd finished with my arm and had left us alone for a moment to get a mild pain reliever for any left over pain. Tayen hadn't let me go for as long as I'd been sitting here. His consistent comfort that he offered freely helped, but I could also feel the anger that he was holding back at my expense.
"Tayen…" I called out quietly to him, noticing him stir out of his silence. He didn't move, except for a deep breath that he released before speaking.
"I promise you, one day I'll take you far away from him. Somewhere where he can't hurt you anymore." His words brought hope to my heart, even though I knew that it would probably never come to pass. My Father would never let me leave. I would be trapped here for the rest of my life, a prisoner in my own home.
"What did that bag do to you?" Leliana called out and I paused my attacks to look over at her. She was standing with her arms crossed over her chest as I panted.
"What are you doing here? Not very often you join me for training." I pointed out eliciting an eye roll from her as she sacheted forward and jumped gracefully onto one of the balancing logs. I lifted an eyebrow as she pulled off her hood and hung it on the bar. I forced the memories that had just flooded forth back into the dark depths of my mind where they belonged.
"I want to spar. I thought it might be fun." She said as she placed one foot behind the other. I hardly had to force the smile that came to my lips as I mirrored her.
"Mhm, well then, by all means let us spar." I replied and she rolled her shoulders in preparation.
"Lets." She replied before attacking. I grinned and blocked several attacks by her, but my arms were starting to burn from so much use. I laughed gleefully as I continued to block and parry attacks. It wasn't a real fight, just one for fun. She knew I was already spent and I knew she wasn't going to actually fight me. Flurries of well aimed, but harmless blows glanced off by flawless deflections each practiced and perfect. We were well matched, she taught me a lot; most I already knew. After I'd left my Father's house, I had retained some of my assassin fighting style, but it had become crude and rough. She brought the 'finesse', as she called it, of the art back to my fighting. She laughed lightheartedly as we switched places and leapt around the training area. I pulled my daggers and tossed one to her and held the other in my left hand. A second later we both spun and brought the blades down towards each other. Both of us anticipating the next move of the other which for the last ten minutes had only resulted in a stalemate. She gave me an odd look as she eyed my left hand. "You're left handed now?" She asked as I attacked. She countered and I grinned trying to find a hole in her defences that I knew she didn't have.
"No, I just felt that it would make it a fair fight." I joked hearing her laugh loudly, but I could tell this threw her off. Part of the reason why I did it.
"You have gotten very cocky, haven't you?" She asked as I leapt over her and held the dagger at her back maintaining a close space with her, knowing she's prone to wide kicks and could easily kick me in the head if I'm not careful.
"I win." I cheered and she rolled her shoulders.
"Have you?" She asked as she nodded down towards her hand. In her left hand was the dagger poised at my waist, nearly touching. With a roll of my eyes I scoffed at her. She let out a lilting laugh at my audible displeasure at her of her sneaky dagger placement.
"That was hot. Do it again, yeah?" A girls voice piped up out of nowhere, her voice high pitched and thick with an accent I couldn't place. Leli and I looked over, I couldn't see Leli's face but I sure looked as confused as I felt. I lifted an eyebrow as I looked to her companions and saw Cullen and Blackwall. "Look! Jackboot and Beardy have nosebleeds!" She shrieked and pointed at both their faces. They both touched their noses protesting in unison. She laughed and nearly fell over herself, grabbing her sides and once I realized what she'd said I felt a laugh bubble in my chest, but my confusion held it down.
"Uh, what?" I asked as I looked at her. The elf girl laughed at my confusion as I put my blades away and moved away from Leli slightly.
"Awe, no fun. Nice view that one." She said before her eyes widened. "You glow too, yeah? I heard about you! Are you a Herald thingy too? You fell from that green hole in the sky?" She asked and I looked to Cullen in confusion and then to Leliana. I leant over to her and gave her a strange look.
"Leli, am I having a stroke?" I asked as I looked at the girl. Leliana let out a quiet laugh as she covered her lips and nudged me either to answer the girl or to scold me I wasn't sure.
"Uh...my name's Quinn. But, I'm not the Herald, no." I greeted as I nodded to her eliciting a loud giggle from her.
"But, you glow?" She asked as she looked at my hand, but it was the wrong one. It suddenly clicked. I nearly slapped my forehead at the realization she was talking about my hand.
"Oh...my hand. Yes, the mark does...glow, you know sometimes." I responded as I tilted my head to her questioningly. She giggled again as she fiddled with the edge of her frayed sleeve.
"Name's Sera, you're a weird one, I like you. I'll see you around, Quinnie." She laughed and ran away. We all stared as she left and I shook my head in utter confusion. Leliana coughed into her hand shaking me out of my confusion. What?
"Can someone fill me in? Because I am very confused." I asked and looked to each of them.
"The Herald brought her back from Val Royeaux, she's...quite odd." Cullen clarified after clearing his throat. I looked from him to Leliana and then to Blackwall waiting for more information, but neither filled in.
"Is she...normal...well normalish?." I asked and Blackwall laughed shaking his head.
"She takes a bit of getting used to, but she seems to be normal. Actually kind of funny at times" He said and I shifted my weight.
"Uh...alright? I'll roll with it, she seems interesting if a bit strange." I responded to which Blackwall laughed.
"Strange and interesting? Sounds like someone else I know." He jested as he sent me a wink. My head tilted back as I laughed. "Seems to like you though." He added with a heart laugh.
"What can I say? I'm likeable." I shot back with a wink making him chuckle. Blackwall...He was an interesting man. A man who had the look of someone with many regrets, a man of secrets. I knew the look well, I wear it myself. Everything about him was dark and masculine. From his dark eyes to his dark beard and the tuff's of chest hair I remembered from the time I stumbled upon him bathing with Cullen. I felt a blush burn at my cheeks at the memory of the two men standing there with water running down their bodies-
"Warden Blackwall, I would like to speak to you. Could you lend me a moment of your time?" She asked and he nodded as his laughs subsided.
"Of course, Sister." He said and I let out a small sigh of relief that she had interrupted my thoughts. She turned to me a moment later with a stern nod.
"I received word from the Herald. They are about an hour away from here. Also, I left some reports for you in your cabin if you would like to look over them." She said as her eyes drifted to my hair which was probably matted with sweat and maybe blood...I hadn't checked. "You should go get cleaned up, Josephine left a surprise for you in your room." She added as she walked away with Blackwall. I watched them leave, but didn't for a moment forget Cullen's presence to my left. He wasn't looking at me, instead his back was turned as he looked over the large war machines that had recently been assembled. He looked as if he didn't want to be bothered as his eyes scanned over the trebuchet. The logical thing to do would be to leave, turn myself around and march back to my cabin without a word to him. The illogical thing to do would be to stay and talk to him; that option made me feel very nervous. Every time we've been alone recently in Haven it has resulted in an argument which leaves me feeling more than I wanted to. His deep cutting words and intelligent guesses hurt from how right he actually was. It made me want to watch my words even more than before around him. To hold myself back out of fear that I'd let reveal far too much. He had that effect on me, that power over my emotions. It pissed me off. He made me question myself, and my decisions. Part of me liked the challenge, but no one wants to be challenged constantly. Sooner or later it becomes more of an affront rather than just a challenge. We're too different. We'd probably never see eye to eye. A Templar and an Assassin. Ex-Templar and Ex-Assassin. I reminded myself, I've long since left that life and he seems adamant that he has too. Still, he was bathed in light and I in shadow. My very existence seemed to besmirch his integrity. He was a vision of righteousness, how could he in good conscious be around someone like me? Someone who killed so many in the name of justice, when only the Maker should have been their judge. His light burned like the heat from his skin, so inviting and so dangerous while I'm sure that I seemed cold and dark, but equally as dangerous-
"Lady Protector, are you alright?" Cullen's voice shattered my thoughts, my eyes snapping up to meet his gaze. I felt a blush hit my cheeks not realizing he'd noticed.
"I-yes. I apologize, I was lost in thought." I replied slowly, drawing out the last portion of the sentence. He nodded in an understanding way with a short, polite smile.
"No need to apologize. I imagine you have a lot on your mind." He replied shortly, but there was something about the way he was looking at me made me think that he wanted to say or ask something else. I needed to leave before he did. I looked around and shot him a quick polite nod.
"Right, well I'll see you later, Commander. Have fun with your...calibrations." My feet started to move past him, but I saw him jump to attention as if going to stop me, but his hands never moved.
"If you need anything, I'll be here." He responded as he turned from me and back to his war machines. I hesitated for a moment, part of me wanting to stay, talk to him and spend time with him, but the more logical side of me told me to leave. However, my lips moved faster than my brain and heart had time to finish their war over the decision.
"Cullen." I called out, my voice surprisingly small sounding. He looked over at me from his paperwork, his whiskey eyes fixating on mine. "Later, Trevelyan and I were going to get drinks with Bull and Varric. If you want to come, you're more than welcome to." I added noticing his hesitation to take my invitation immediately.
"Thank you for the invitation, My Lady, but I have much to do." He replied with a frown gracing his scarred lips. I nodded, my lips mirroring his frown as I fiddled with the leather of my belt. I wiped the frown from my face and sent him a smirk.
"Well, if you have a moment to sneak away…" I replied as I turned from him, hearing him faintly chuckle behind me as I swept through the snow covered town back to my cabin with my two guards tailing me. I entered my cabin, the wooden door squealing, its frigid metal hinges protesting as the door swung open. Once inside I sighed and shook myself trying to shake away the cold when the warm moisture of the room caught my attention. My eyes flicked over to the corner of the room when I noticed movement. A small elf girl with short black hair suddenly bolted upwards and looked at me in shock. She averted her eyes quickly and down at the jug in her hands.
"Sister Leliana told me that you might require a bath. I have it ready for you." She said quickly and placed the jug down on the table. She looked very awkward, wringing her hands as she dutifully kept her eyes anywhere but me. "Sister Leliana told me to assist you, if you wanted." She said a blush rising to her cheeks. Her awkwardness seemed to rub off on me and I fidgeted with a short nod.
"Thank you. But, I prefer to take my baths alone." I replied and she sighed quietly before nodding fervently. "Plus you don't seem very comfortable with that." I replied and she nodded again.
"Not really, your Ladyship. Thank you. I shall leave you now." She said and I smiled as she scrambled out of the room. I looked at the steaming bath and peeled my clothing off piece by piece. The cold wind from underneath the window blew past my skin and made it prickle as I moved to the basin and sank into it. The warmth washed over my body and clearing my mind of thoughts. A soft moan escaped my lips as my eyes closed and I leant back against the edge of the basin. I laid there for a while, with my eyes closed my body sunk in the steaming water. I grabbed the jug from the side table and filled it with water and poured it over my head effectively soaking my hair. I moaned in pleasure again at the feeling of the warmth running over my skin like heated kisses running through my small frame. My hair was matted to my neck and back as I continued to dump the water on myself. The fireplace next to me crackled and popped with life keeping the exposed portions of my body warm as the rest of my body laid in the warmth of the water. I sank further in till it was covering my shoulders, my knees jutting out of the water. Looking over I saw a basket that had a bottle of liquid that was pink in color and I pulled it out and opened it taking in the sweet scent of cherries and jasmine. I looked over and grabbed the note, crisp and neatly folded with the faintest scent of roses.
"Dear Lady Protector,
I apologize for not being able to get you a nameday gift sooner. I asked Leliana what to get you exactly and she told me that you would like something to do with blades or training. But, I chose to obtain something...a tad more practical. You are a lady, and I imagine you indulge in the same things as Leliana does. (I did not get her this same set). Inside there is a bottle with pink fluid is a shampoo that Leliana and I both agreed on, the darker pink bottle is a conditioner for your hair. There are also an assortments of soaps, lotions, perfume and a candle. Also...I am sorry to hear about what happened to your Father, if you need anything you just need to ask. I hope this helps.
-Josephine"
I smiled at the note and squirted some of the liquid from the pink bottle onto my hand. I slid my fingers through my hair and began to work the shampoo until my hair was covered in delicious smelling suds. It was soothing to say the least and I couldn't help but smile as I worked it through even more, making sure not to miss a single tress. I took the jug and poured it over my head with my eyes closed and continued to dump it until I could no longer feel the suds. I opened my eyes briefly and I grabbed the darker pink bottle and ran it through my hair. I dumped the water over my head again and rinsed all the oil out. I watched as the water ran a little red from flecks of blood that I still had in my hair. I grabbed the soap and began to clean my skin scrubbing and rinsing every bit of red off my skin.
The smell that surrounded me made me smile. The cherries and jasmine now mixed with snowberries was so familiar... Like the soaps my mother used to have that Father would get every time he visited Val Royeaux. I used to sneak into her room and take small amounts to wash myself with; they smelled much better than the plain smelling, but expensive soaps I had. My mother caught my once and I half expected her to be mad at me, but she only smiled and handed me a set of my own. My lips tipped up fondly at the memory of my Mother. My hand went slowly to the sparrow necklace she'd given me. The ruby encrusted bird slick with water as I played with it between the pads of my fingers. I lifted it up off my chest and kissed it to my lips gently. Sadness pulled at my heart as I curled my legs closer to my body. I miss you, Mom. She'd left me so long ago, but even now I miss her. I thought it would die out, that she would become a distant memory. My Father had said once that time heals all wounds, but I found out that was a lie. Time can't heal emptiness, it just makes it hurt less. Shaking myself from my thoughts I looked down at the water noticing that it had turned pink, but not from the soaps, but the blood that had been matted in my hair and exposed skin. With a sigh, I lifted my body out of the water and grabbed a towel close to me. Quickly I dried myself and wrapped my hair in the towel noticing clothing that had been laid out for me. I rolled my eyes as I shifted my feet to lean against my left leg. I pulled on the clothes, the cold air that seeped through the wooden cabin blowing past me. I slid my clothes over my body keeping the cold away as I moved closer to the fireplace. Once I was dressed I looked towards the mirror, but frowned when I saw it missing. Oh right, I broke it. With a sigh I rake my hands through my hair clearing it of any knots before grabbed the reports off the table and sat cross-legged on my bed looking over them. Skimming the first page I felt my eyebrows pull together in confusion. Why would she give me this? It was a roster of the Templars who were meant to be attending the Conclave. I had seen this list and memorized the names when the Divine had asked me to investigate her suspicions. It wasn't until I looked to the second list that I realized why she'd given me the reports. On the seventh line down was a name from the past, from Dumonde. Leon Amanter. My pulse was thrumming faster in my veins, my grip on the paper tightening slightly. My eyes read over his name again and to the side in red ink read "not attending". I relaxed, nodding silently as I flipped the page seeing Leliana's nice handwriting on a report on Leon. He was back in Dumonde and now the Knight-Commander. I felt a wave of relief wash over me at the thought that he was safe. I looked to her handwriting and felt a small smile pull at my lips.
"These past couple of days have been rough on you, my friend. I thought you could use some good news. He was…important to you, yes? I hope this brings you some relief."
Her note ended making lips part with a sigh. I hadn't even thought of him through all of this. Leon… it's been a long time since I'd seen him. The handsome Templar from Dumonde. His dirty blonde hair and crooked smile, the way he used to hold me. The cool nights where I used to run my hands over his face, chest and hands so that I could remember him. It was all flooding back to me and it made my heart stutter. I'm thankful he didn't perish like so many others in the blast. Maker I missed him no- I shook my head of the thoughts. I didn't miss him, I hadn't in a long time. I chose to leave him, and I chose to break all ties. It wouldn't end well for either of us. At the time...I was still destructive. The Divine was helping, but I still would have hurt him in the end. He cared about me, he even said so. He said he'd wanted me to stay, to help their recovering city. To be a hero in front of the people at his side...I couldn't do it. What would that have led to? I could only imagine we'd be married have kids and live out the rest of our lives boring and conventional. I didn't want that, I wasn't made for that. How could I be when I've been trained to lie about everything I am. The stories I'd crafted around myself to keep my identity hidden, the stories I fed him are what won him over, not me. He'd thought I was some poor orphan girl who learned to fight in the streets before being picked up by a gang of thieves who taught me how to really fight. He'd thought I was the most incredible thing in the world because of it...but I wasn't the one he fell for, it was Lana, the name I hid behind. I'd long since abandoned the guise though and now there was only me and I wouldn't be enough for him.
Knock, knock, knock. I nearly jumped out of my skin at the abrupt sound of someone at my door.
"Lady Protector, the Herald has arrived. He has summoned the War Council." Oran called out. I placed the papers in a neat stack on the right side of my bed and tied my hair into a high ponytail. With a short nod I left for the Chantry ready to finally figure out what our next course of action was. Would we help the Mages, or would be forsake them for the safer route with the Templars?