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Dawn of Beginning	By : EunjiMinJeon Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 2459 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age world nor characters.

Chapter List
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Sirena’s head snapped up to look up at him. ‘Did I hear that correctly? Did he really invite me to go for a walk with him?’ She asked herself in her thoughts. Her head tilted to the side a bit as she wondered if he was being serious. Cullen continued to wait patiently for her response with a smile on his lips like he knew what she was thinking. She bit down on her lower lip, thinking this was the best opportunity to get to know the man behind the Commander title. Her head bobbed up and down in a nod.
“Sure, a walk sounds great.” She replied finally as she watched for any sign of contact since she knew back in the medieval and renaissance times, men were chivalrous and would often times offer their arm to a lady. Sirena didn’t see that sign from Cullen. However, he did motion his hand to her to walk ahead since they both wouldn’t fit the door frame if they went at the same time. They walked through the Chantry silently. The only sounds that could be heard was their footsteps echoing in the building.
After they made it out of the echoing Chantry, Cullen and the American girl walked beside each other around the small village known as Haven. They made their way past some huts and shacks as well as the bustling people who were trying to get work done or were running errands. Some people would look at the cousin of the Herald and their Commander walking together with smiles on their faces before talking to someone about the two in whispers. The girl even caught some of the whispering which made her face go red from blushing.
They eventually walked out of the main village in Haven towards the training grounds where the men were working hard to get their techniques perfected. Sirena looked up at Cullen wondering if he was going to go work himself to correct them since it was his job and slowed her own pace down to see what he would do. To her total surprise he walked past the training area after looking at the men practicing the way he taught them. She caught up to him by quickening her footsteps into a fast paced walk. The two then walked over to a quiet and scenic area. They then were standing on a wooden dock that stood on the frozen water, overlooking a waterfall that was iced over just like the water below them. It was a beautiful sight, almost magical. Sirena sat down on the edge of the dock and kicked her legs out. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw movement beside her. Her head then turned to look at Cullen who was now sitting beside her.
“I guess while we have this time, we could get to know each other.” The stranger to Thedas suggested while folding her hands in her lap.
“That actually sounds good to me. What is your family like?” He asked as he also looked at the view before them. Cullen wanted to know more about the woman next to him, but he also didn’t want to look too eager.
“My family is wonderful.” She said a little vaguely. “I don’t like my father much, but my mom is an amazing woman. She and my grandfather taught me all I know.” The American said while looking down at her hands.
“Why do you not like your father?” The handsome man asked her while turning his head to look at her. He had caught her words when she talked about her dad and it made him curious as to why she would say such a thing. After he asked though, he noticed she wrapped her arms around herself before tightening them, indicating that she was cold or uncomfortable. Cullen slipped the red cape from his armor then draped it over Sirena to keep her warm.
“My dad was never really a father to me. He kept to himself a lot.” For a moment she went back to Oregon in her thoughts, as she talked about her past while forgetting who she was talking to as well. “He never went to my school functions unless he was forced to.” When she realized something was covering her, she looked down at her shoulders and saw a dark shade of red wrapped around her. Her head bowed to him in thanks. Cullen’s eyes squinted a bit when she said the word school. Most women stopped getting education at an early age unless they were nobles, but even then they get private tutors. He had no idea what school she was talking about.
“What school are you talking about?” Her eyes widened when she heard his question. She hadn’t realized how much she had said until it was obviously too late. It was too much information that she accidentally spilled. She might have screwed herself up now that he knows more about where she came from. She couldn’t let that happen again. Not ever.
“It’s just a place to get education.” Sirena said while shrugging her shoulders. He raised a brown brow at her knowing full well she wasn’t telling him everything. “Now it’s my turn to ask questions.” She said with a playful smile.
“What would you like to know?” Cullen asked facing his body to her so she would know she had his full attention,
“I’d like to know about the Order. What kind of vows do the Templars make?” She asked wanting to know the things they give up and not at all trying to use the questions as an opportunity to flirt.
“There’s a vigil first. You’re meant to be at peace during that time, but your life is about to change. When it’s over, you give yourself to a life of service. That’s when you’re given a philter- your first draught of Lyrium- and its power. As Templars, we are not to seek wealth or acknowledgment. Our lives belong to the Maker and the path we have chosen.”
“Well… That is quite interesting.” The man next to her let out a little laugh. “Why did you become a Templar?”
“I could think of no better calling than to protect those in need. I used to beg the Templars at our local Chantry to teach me. At first they merely humored me, but I must have shown promise. Or at least a willingness to learn. The Knight-Captain spoke to my parents on my behalf. They agreed to send me for training. I was thirteen when I left home.” He explained as he scooted himself a little closer to her.
“That’s not very old.” Sirena replied, oblivious to the fact that he had moved himself closer to her since it wasn’t an obvious move.
“I wasn’t the youngest there. Some children are promised to the Order at infancy. Still, I didn’t take on full responsibilities until I was eighteen. The Order sees you trained and educated first.” Without knowing what she was doing, the girl moved herself closer to Cullen while softly blushing a shade of pink. The American was happy that it was cold out so the blame could be put on the chill in the air.
“What about your family? Did you miss them?”
“Of course. But there were many my age who felt the same. We learned to look out for one another.” Cullen scooted even closer to her to the point they were sitting right next to each other.
“What do Templars do exactly?” The topic was very interesting to the young woman. It also gave her an excuse to listen to his voice.
“Templars protect against the dangers of magic. Before the Order left the Chantry, that meant serving in the circle. They were also tasked with tracking apostates or fighting demons inevitably summoned by the weak or malicious.” Sirena bit her lip wondering if she should ask her next questions.
“What do you think of mages?”
“I’ve seen the suffering magic can inflict. I’ve treated mages with distrust because of it- at times without cause. That was unworthy of me. I’ll try not to do so here. Not that I want mages moving through our base completely unchecked. We need safe guards in place to protect people- including mages- from possession, at the least.”
“What was a typical day for a Templar in the circle?” The questions just continued which caused Cullen to let out a little laugh.
“’Typical’. The last time I was in a circle was right before it fell apart. Nothing was typical.” He had a strong urge to move his hand to hers but he held himself back, yet again.
“What about before that then?”
“Certain rituals require a full guard. A mages harrowing, for instance. I’ve attended a few. Most of the time you merely maintain a presence; on patrol in the circle. And ready to respond if needed. Mages pretend to ignore that presence, but they’re watching you just as closely.” Her head nodded in understanding.
“Do Templars and mages never talk to each other?” Sirena asked curiously since from the way he was speaking it sounded like they never did.
“Some do. But Templars are supposed to maintain a certain distance from their charges. If a mage is possessed or uses blood magic, you must act quickly, without hesitation. Your judgement cannot be clouded. Of course ignoring one another does nothing to foster understanding.” Cullen looked out over towards the scenic view after he spoke while continuing to ignore the urge to grab her hand.
“How are Templars trained?” The American asked in her less eloquent speech.
“There is weapon and combat training. Even without their abilities, Templars are among the best warriors in Thedas. Initiates must also memorize portions of the Chant of Light, study history, and improve mental focus.”
“Did you enjoy your training?”
“I wanted to learn everything. If I was giving my life to this, I would be the best Templar I could be.” She smiled softly, happy to hear she wasn’t the only one who tried to do their best.
“So you were a model student.” She heard him laugh again which made her smile even more.
“I wanted to be. I wasn’t always successful. Watching a candle burn down while reciting the Chant of Transfigurations wasn’t the most exciting task. I admit, my mind sometimes wondered.” Sirena let out a laugh knowing full well how that was.
“When I was in college, I almost fell asleep in my afternoon classes. I strived to be the best student I could possibly be, but the tests liked to fuck me over.” Cullen ended up laughing from what she said. By this time, they had spent the whole day talking. The two didn’t realize how much time had passed while they were outside. They only noticed that it was getting dark out and slightly colder.
“I’m assuming you have test anxieties then.”
“I don’t know if I do or don’t. However, I do know I have a lot of random information in this brain of mine. Anything with numbers though… I forget real easily.” Her face turned red from embarrassment after she admitted one of her problems. The girl’s memory was so bad at remembering dates when they weren’t important to her, among other things that had to do with math and science. The Commander let out a laugh, though, not at her. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing really, only that you have problems remembering anything with numbers. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.” Cullen explained since he’s never heard such thing. “What was your favorite subject or subjects in college?” He asked thinking she might have done some studies in a College of Magi.
“I really enjoyed history and psychology.” The American answered thinking back to the days when she went to school. Cullen looked at her with his brows furrowed since he knew what the mage schools teach their students and it never involved whatever the later subject was.
“What is psychology?” He asked her curiously.
“It’s the study of the mind. Literally.” She explained as she looked up at him, not at all caring about how close he is. “It helps us understand why people do the things they do, for example serial killers. What makes them the way they are?” The young woman asked which was a rhetorical question. “It’s a way to look inside the mind so to speak.” Cullen looked at her since he had never heard of the study of the mind before and it made him wonder what else she knew.
“That actually sounds very interesting.” He said honestly since he loved to learn new things.
“If I had my text book, I would give it to you. Sadly, I don’t have it.” She said apologetically. It was nice to share the things she knew with someone even if it was things he wasn’t supposed to know. But, Sirena didn’t like keeping secrets nor lie.
“It’s alright. There will always be another time.” Cullen said when he felt something on his arm. He looked down to see her head was leaning against him which made him smile. His arm hesitantly slipped around her as they sat silently thinking about what they had learned about each other. Sirena eyes began to close as she relaxed against him. It was getting late after all.
After an hour or two, the young woman’s breathing evened out which told him she had fallen asleep. He then slipped an arm under her legs and stood up to carry her to the shack she was sharing with the Herald. As he was walking with her in his arms yet again, he noticed it was quiet in Haven and the only place making any noise was the tavern. When he made it to the place, he opened the door as quietly as he could so he wouldn’t disturb Trevelyan. Cullen then walked over to the empty bed and set Sirena down gently. He then covered her with a few blankets while also leaving his cloak on her. The Commander leaned down almost placing his lips on her forehead until he realized what was happening; he stood up straight and made his way out of their shack quickly while mentally scolding himself. Quietly, he walked over to the training grounds where his tent sat as his boots crunched down on the white ice-cold fluff that covered the ground. After walking a few minutes, he finally walked up to his tent when he heard other footsteps behind him.
“I noticed you weren’t at the training grounds, Cullen.” His friend said from behind. The Commander turned around and smiled at Rylen while remaining silent. “I’m going to assume you were with oh- what’s- her- name…? Sirena?” He asked with a knowing smirk.
“I was, yes. I spent the whole day with her it seems.” Cullen answered his second in command after him.
“Doing what?” Rylen asked hoping his friend had actually done something with her.
“Talking. We talked all day and it was actually very nice.” His friend slapped his forehead and shook his head.
“Cullen… You definitely need to get yourself a mistress or wife.” Rylen said hinting that his friend needed to get laid. The blonde man pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
“I will not take a mistress, you should know this, in fact in order to have a mistress I would need to be married. And I doubt I’ll get married any time soon.” His friend clapped him on the back with a grin on his face.
“You might and you might not. You could always court the young lady who you seem to have some sort of connection with.” Cullen’s friend from Kirkwall suggested knowing he would eventually not care about whom she was related to or what her age was.
“I told you, it would be inappropriate for me to even try courting her. Flirting here and there is okay because it is nothing serious.” The Commander said with frustration, more so at himself.
“In whose opinion?” Rylen asked making a point to Cullen. “If you don’t take a chance now or soon, it might be too late when you do.”
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Dawn of Beginning