Dark clouds blocked out the sun as the wind whipped across the grassy meadow. Inquisition soldiers battled Venatori mages, with Inquisitor Regina Trevelyan and Commander Cullen in the center of the action.
Maker, these bastards are persistent, Regina thought.
"Maker's Breath, there are a lot of them," Commander Cullen said as he shoved his sword into the nearest Venatori mage. The man cried out as blood blossomed from his wound, and he fell to the ground beside his companions.
"I have an idea, if you're up for it," Regina offered as more Venatori mages rushed toward the couple.
"I'm all ears," Cullen replied.
"You might want to back up," she suggested.
The Inquisition Commander raised a brow at her but did as she instructed. Regina raised her metallic staff as the group of Venatori mages grew closer. She then slammed it to the ground, and sparks of flame slid toward her opponents, sending them screaming and flailing, before landing on the muddy grass beside their comrades.
That should do it, thought Regina.
"Remind me to never be; on the receiving end of that," Cullen remarked with a sideways smirk. He kept a firm grip on his sword as he scanned the battlefield. "I don't see any more Venatori, at least for the moment. Inquisition soldiers, I want half of you to search the surrounding area and ensure there are no more Venatori. The other half, march back to camp."
"Yes, ser," the Inquisition soldiers replied in unison, placing their fists on their chests and saluting Commander Cullen.
Cullen sheathed his sword and returned the gesture while Regina turned toward the nearby forest. She fell in step beside Cullen, as half of their soldiers followed them. Glancing at the side of his face, Regina noticed the tired look in Cullen's eyes.
He looks exhausted, she thought. Then again, we both are.
Although it had been six months since the death of Corypheus, the Inquisition was still closing rifts and dealing with the remains of the ancient Magister's forces. And since many of Regina's friends had gone their separate ways, it was left to the Inquisitor and her soldiers to take care of these rogue elements.
But from what reports we've been receiving, we're almost done, thought Regina.
"Are you all right?" Cullen asked, casting a sideways glance at her, his soft brown eyes examined her as if seeing into her heart.
As the group walked, they approached a large forest. Once they reached the edge of the trees, the wind picked up and Regina felt it rustle through her hair.
"Yes, I'm just thinking I suppose," she replied.
"Anything specific," Cullen probed. "That is, if you feel up to sharing. I know these past few months have been tiring."
"They have," Regina agreed with a nod. "Although I am grateful we no longer have the threat of the end of the world to deal with."
Cullen chuckled softly. "As are we all." As he stopped walking, so did she. "Your hair is in your face. May I?"
"Of course," Regina replied, as heat rushed to her cheeks.
Cullen stepped forward and tucked a few stray strands behind her ear. In her peripheral vision, she noticed the Inquisition soldiers grow closer to them. Some even focused on the pair, but Regina chose to ignore them. Once he was done, he stepped back and the pair resumed their journey back to their campsite.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"You're welcome," he replied.
"To answer your question, I was just thinking about the past few months. And how even though Corypheus is dead, we're still dealing with his forces," Regina answered.
"It does seem as if it will never end," Cullen agreed. "But it will, eventually."
He's always so reassuring, she thought as he gave her one of his charming smiles, the ones meant exclusively for her.
"Thank you, that means a lot," Regina replied. "After this, I considered taking some time away to visit my family."
"You should," Cullen said before adding, "If you want to, that is. I know you've been worried about their safety since you became Inquisitor."
Andraste, he's right, thought Regina.
"I have," she agreed. "But my mother keeps asking me when I will visit. I just, don't know when there would be a good time to go."
"There will never be a good time," Cullen replied. "But if it would make you feel better, I can send you letters about our progress while you are away."
Regina bit her lower lip as she considered the proposal. "We shall see."
"Let me know either way," said Cullen. "I am certain Josephine would be more than willing to inform you of our developments as well."
"That, and attend one of my Great Aunt Lucille's parties," Regina added.
Cullen laughed softly. "Yes, that as well I imagine."
Cullen watched Regina's brows rise and fall as a frown formed. He knew that meant she was thinking about something deeply, but on the other hand, he didn't want to push her. She would come to him when she was ready to discuss whatever was occupying her thoughts. For the moment, he allowed silence to fill the gap between them. When they finally reached camp, Cullen could feel a light rain beginning to fall. How fitting, he thought.
Once they approached the edge of the camp, Cullen and Regina stopped and turned around. Cullen folded his hands behind his back as the Inquisition soldiers stopped walking and stood at attention.
"All right, soldiers, everyone, half of you will secure the perimeter while the other half get something to eat," Cullen said, projecting his voice as the wind increased in strength. "I want to be informed the minute our soldiers return from their reconnaissance, is that understood?"
"Ser, yes, ser," the soldiers echoed.
"You are dismissed," Cullen said.
They saluted Cullen, before following his instructions. Cullen then partially shifted to look at Regina.
"Did you have any plans before dinner, or are you free?" he asked.
"I was going to write a report, and send it to Skyhold," she replied with a yawn.
I wish she would talk to me, thought Cullen. Maker's Breath, she's always been a stubborn one.
He nodded. "Understood. Will I see you for dinner, at least?"
She nodded. "Of course."
With his mind set at ease, and a quick glance around having confirmed they were alone, Cullen reached over and gently kissed Regina's cheek.
"Until then," he said.
Even though every fiber of his being was screaming to remain with Regina, he walked through the camp.
If there's one thing I could live without, it's the mountain of paperwork, Cullen thought as he spied some of their soldiers searching the area. He nodded at them as he passed each one before he reached his tent.
He opened his tent flap and noticed his notebook and pen were on his cot where he'd left it that morning. The messenger raven cawed in its cage in the corner as it began raining harder.
"Looks like we're in for a storm tonight," Cullen murmured.
Reluctantly, Regina watched Cullen turn and walk away, wondering why she hadn't offered to join him in his tent. Pushing such feelings aside, she walked through camp to her own tent. Just as she stepped inside, the rain fell harder.
"I'd hoped we would've left this part of Orlais by now," she murmured.
Regina walked to her cot where she'd placed her notebook and pen, even though she didn't much feel like writing a report. She sat down, picked up her notebook, flipped to a new page, grabbed her pen, and thought about what she would write.
Maker, this shouldn't be that hard, thought Regina.
She stared at the blank page with her pen raised, ready to write down what she'd experienced. As usual, she described everything that happened in one paragraph. She could hear Josephine begging for more details in the back of her mind. By the time Regina was done, her hand was sore.
"Maker, I really do press on the page too hard," she murmured.
Regina tore out the page, folded it, and slipped it into an envelope. After she'd placed the Inquisition's official seal over it, she then placed the envelope into her notebook. "Given how hard it is raining, I can't very well send this report now."
With a sigh, she closed her notebook and stood up. She pulled her hood over her head, left her tent, and walked next door to Cullen's.
"Commander, are you there?" she called.
She heard the sound of footsteps and the tent flapped open to reveal the blonde Inquisition Commander.
"I am," he said and opened it further. As the scent of fresh meat drifted toward her, Regina heard her stomach grumble. "It sounds like I finished the dinner preparations just in time."
"Thank you for that," Regina said as she entered his tent.
"Of course, I figured you would be hungry after our skirmish against the Venatori," Cullen said.
Regina noticed there were two bowls and mugs present at Cullen's cot and she pulled her hood off her head before walking toward his cot.
"I finished my report, but I doubt we'll be able to send it in this rain," Regina said, as she took a bowl and tankard and sat down.
"Yes, it seems we'll have to wait," Cullen agreed, as he took a seat beside her. He grabbed his bowl and spoon and tucked into his stew.
Regina wolfed down her own stew and washed it down with mead.
"Cullen," she began and found his gaze move to hers. She placed her spoon into her bowl and partly turned to face him. "I-"
Just then, they heard the sound of footsteps outside the tent. Regina and Cullen corrected their posture, moved apart, and turned to face the tent flap as it opened and Lee entered.
Why do I have a feeling this moment will become a rumor later, Cullen thought. Then again, at least we are both present to receive this information.
"Commander Cullen, Inquisitor," said Lee, as he nodded in acknowledgment at both.
"What is it, soldier?" Cullen asked, his tone serious
He put his bowl and tankard on his cot and stood up, with Regina mirroring his actions. In his peripheral vision, Cullen noticed Regina kept her focus on Lee.
"I was one of the soldiers who performed reconnaissance on the Venatori," Lee replied. "We've just returned with news."
"How close are the Venatori to our current location? How many are there?" Regina asked.
She's grown much better at thinking strategically, thought Cullen as he swelled with pride.
He recalled the numerous hours spent discussing strategy and answering her never-ending questions. He reigned in his emotions as he listened to Lee's report.
"The Venatori are operating on the Urthemiel Plateau a few miles south of our current position," Lee replied.
Andraste, that's a bit too close for comfort, thought Cullen.
"In addition, there are between twenty to thirty Venatori in total," Lee finished.
"Was there anything else you noticed about the Venatori?" Regina inquired.
Lee's brows knitted together. "Yes, we noticed they were gathering large amounts of lyrium but for what purpose, we don't know."
You did well, soldier," Cullen said with a nod. "Go ahead and get something to eat. You are dismissed."
And with that, he will tell the other soldiers in the mess tent to prepare for guard duty, right on schedule, he thought.
"Yes, ser," Lee said, as his hand made a fist and he brought it up to his chest.
Cullen returned the salute and Lee turned and closed the tent flap again. Regina and Cullen turned to look at one another.
"There are fewer Venatori here than we originally thought," Regina said.
That is something at least, Cullen thought.
"True," he agreed. "But what are they gathering the lyrium for?" His brows knitted together as a slight frown formed on his face and he stroked his chin.
"Whatever they're planning, it must involve a powerful spell," Regina mused. She fully turned to face him now. "What are you thinking?"
"Whatever the Venatori are planning, we will need all of our soldiers," Cullen replied. "Along with some allies."
"Which ones," Regina asked.
"Well, if I recall correctly, Seeker Pentaghast and Dorian are on their way back to Skyhold. The last letter I remember reading from them both said they would meet on the edge of the Orlesian border and travel through Orlais together," Cullen answered. "The Iron Bull and his Chargers are currently operating in this part of Orlais."
"Well, Solas has disappeared and despite our attempts to find him, we've not been successful," said Regina.
"Varric has returned to Kirkwall and Sera, at least last we heard, to Val Royeaux," Cullen mused.
"Thom Rainier has officially joined the Grey Wardens while Vivienne has organized the remaining members of the Circle of Magi," Regina added.
"While Cole has," Cullen's brows scrunched together in thought. "Decided to travel Thedas. Maker only knows what will happen there."
Regina met Cullen's gaze and nodded. "Yes, I think that will work."
"Excellent. I will write those letters and Maker Willing, this rain will stop soon so we can deliver them," he answered.
Both picked up their bowls and resumed eating dinner. Silence descended between the pair until Cullen broke it.
"After dinner, would you be willing to play chess?"
He glanced up at her face, where she wore a wicked grin.
"Sounds fun," she said.
Thank the Maker, he thought even though he knew it would result in his inevitable defeat once more.
"Did you bring the chess board from Skyhold?" she asked.
"I did not," he responded. "But I do have another, smaller chess board we could use."
"I would like that," she said.
While we are here on Inquisition business, I hope we can spend some time together not on Inquisition business, thought Cullen.
However, it had stopped raining, at least eased off to a mere drizzle and Cullen sighed.
"Perhaps we should send those letters tonight while we have time," he suggested.
"I'm done with dinner and I have my report prepared," Regina said.
She placed her bowl and tankard on his cot and stood up. As she made her way to the tent flap Cullen called to her.
"Inquisitor."
She stopped and turned to face him.
"Do not think this means you are released from our chess game. I have a new strategy I believe will challenge you," said Cullen.
A small smile spread across Regina's face. "I look forward to it."
Hello again, Loyal Readers! I hope you are all as excited as I am for the summer and full reveal of Dragon Age Dreadwolf. For all those Trevelyan x Cullen shippers, this one's for you!
I would once again like to thank AirHippo for his time in editing this story, as always, it's very much appreciated.
If you liked this story, please feel free to leave a comment or like and hopefully, I'll see you very soon!
