The True Tale Of The Fifth Blight | By : Serena_Hawke-Theirin Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 13108 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Solona's good mood went sour when she saw the Knight-Commander in the First Enchanter's office. Maker how she hated that bastard. It wasn't a secret the man held no love for mages. In his dealings with the magically gifted, he was always cold and calculating, even cruel and sadistic, not physically, but mentally and emotionally.
She began to back away from the door, intent on returning after Greagoir's departure, but took notice of a dark stranger in silver and blue armor standing between the other two men. She recognized the griffon symbol etched into the steel plate on his chest from pictures in some of the history books she studied over the years. He was a Grey Warden, and by the elaborate design of his armor, a high-ranking one at that.
There could be only one reason he was there. He was recruiting. She wondered, was he looking for mages or templars? If it was mages he needed, perhaps he would be scouting some of the younger gifted since most of the senior mages were already gone to Ostagar. The thought of leaving the tower to fight in a battle wasn't first and foremost on Solona's mind, but it would be a way to get her out of that Maker forsaken place. Perhaps she could convince the Warden Commander to take her with him if she could get him out of Irving's earshot. He was still a man, after all.
The young mage strode into the room with an air of confidence and purpose. "You wanted to see me, First Enchanter?"
Irving beamed at his protégé. A sense of pride filled his deep brown orbs as he took a step toward her, like a father with an accomplished child. The First Enchanter had taken Solona under his wing when she was still a girl, the only apprentice he had mentored since gaining his title. When anyone would ask him why he took such an interest in such a precocious apprentice, the old man would simply say that he liked her moxie.
Solona was no pet, however. She worked hard to earn the First Enchanter's respect and accolades, spending countless hours poring over tomes written for those who were more advanced in years and experience. The old man was never one for coddling either. He always expected his apprentice to strive for perfection, and she always gave everything she did her best effort.
Greagoir, who was certainly never impressed by the young woman, greeted her intrusion with a sneer before addressing the older man again. "Well, Irving, you're obviously busy. We will discuss this later."
"Of course," the First Enchanter said dismissively before returning his attention to his student. "Well then…where was I? Oh, yes. Solona, this is Duncan, Commander of the Grey Wardens."
Solona gave a small bow of her head. "Hello."
"Is this the mage you told me about?" Duncan queried.
"The one and the same," the old Enchanter replied.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, young lady," Duncan said with a nod. "I suppose you've heard of the troubles to south? I'm here to recruit more mages to join the battle at Ostagar."
Those were the exact words Solona had been hoping to hear. She lifted her chin a bit higher to exhibit both fearlessness and pride. "I have."
"Duncan," Irving interrupted. "There's no need to worry the girl with such talk right now. This is supposed to be a happy day for her." He turned his attention to Solona. "I asked you here to congratulate you and to give you a few things that come with your new status."
The older man handed her a bundle of new robes, a signet ring bearing the insignia of the school of Entropy, and a staff. The first staff she could truly call her own. The stave was fashioned from ash and held no adornments, but simple and plain. It didn't matter, the importance of the stave was what it symbolized. Apprentices were only allowed to handle a staff under the close supervision of a Senior Enchanter. The fact that she could now carry one with her wherever she went proved that Solona was worthy of the title of mage.
"Thank you, First Enchanter," she said as he passed the items to her.
"Perhaps later, you can tell me all about your venture into the Fade. For now though, if you don't mind, could you please show our guest to his room? It is at the end of the hall just past the mage's quarters. I believe Cullen is on duty this morning, so when you finish your task, you can ask him to show you to your newly assigned dormitory." He turned back to the Grey Warden. "We will talk more over lunch, after you have had time to settle in and rest a bit, Duncan."
The Warden bowed. "I look forward to it, my friend."
Solona led Duncan down the corridor toward the library. She definitely intended to discuss the matter with him further, despite what the First Enchanter said. Irving might be reluctant to allow her to join, but she was sure she would be able to talk him into it in the end.
And even if the old man couldn't be convinced, Solona had read enough to know that Grey Wardens retained the right of conscription. If she had a choice, it was the option she preferred anyway. As a Warden she could leave the tower permanently. She could finally be away from the templars and, more importantly, away from her memories of Anders that seemed to haunt her in every corridor.
She then thought of Jowan, and her promise that they would always be together. Then she remembered that look in his eyes. He was planning to abandon her, just as Anders had. She may as well beat him to the punch. But first, she had to convince this Grey Warden that taking her along would be a good idea.
When they reached his room, Duncan thanked the young mage. In an effort to appear casual, she circled to leave, but stopped before she got to the door. She turned to him with the most sincere expression she could muster. "May I ask a question?"
He smiled warmly. "Of course, young lady."
"I have heard that mages can be Grey Wardens. Is that true, ser?"
The Warden narrowed his eyes. "Why? Are you interested in joining our ranks?"
"I think I could be a great asset."
"I'm sure you would be, but Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are, young lady. And being a Warden isn't exactly freedom. You are bound to a higher purpose for the remainder of your days, and duty to the Wardens comes first, above anything else."
He was reluctant, which wasn't entirely unexpected, but he did seem intrigued by the idea at least. If she could convince him to take her with him at all, perhaps she would have time to belay any misgivings he still had.
"Well, if not that, do you think that there is any way I could at least join the other mages in Ostagar?"
"Every mage is needed now. If you truly want to go with me, I could speak with Irving about it when I see him later."
"Would you? I would love the chance to prove my skills somewhere outside of a classroom."
Duncan nodded. "Then I will see what I can do. For now though, I am sure you have other things to attend to other than talking to an old man like me."
She was being dismissed. In a very courteous manner, but dismissed all the same. She presented a small bow.
"Of course, ser. Enjoy your rest."
When she walked out of the room into the hallway, Solona ran straight into Cullen. His whiskey brown orbs were filled with confusion and pain. Why did he care so much? He hardly knew her.
"Did I hear you correctly? You might be leaving the tower?"
"Were you eavesdropping, Cullen?" Solona asked with a curious frown.
"I…I…might have overheard…something," he stammered. "But is it true?"
The mage shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe. I suppose for the moment it's up to Irving whether I can go or not."
The templar appeared wounded. His brown eyes glistened in the glow of the nearby lyrium lamp. "But I thought…" He sighed. "Never mind. I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway."
He was upset, genuinely hurt. Solona expected he might be a bit put out by her new plan, but she never dreamed it would bother him quite so much. Did he actually think he was in love with her? She mentally waved the thought away and presented a small smile.
"Irving said you could show me to my new quarters?"
"Yes, of course," he whispered.
Cullen remained silent the entire way. Every few moments, he would look over at her, obviously wanting to say something, but he never did. After they arrived at her assigned room and she laid her things on the bed, he turned to leave, but Solona put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. She had to know.
"Cullen, what was it that you thought?"
He circled and stared directly into her lapis eyes. After several seconds, he took a step toward her and bent his head until his lips were nearly touching hers. She could feel his warm breath caressing her skin, almost taste the fragrant peppermint tea he recently drank.
"I suppose I thought we could be…closer…now that you've passed your Harrowing."
"What do you mean by…closer?" she breathed.
Was it sex? Was he afraid she would leave without ever experiencing all she had to offer? Maybe he was afraid she had changed her mind. Any templar at Kinloch could attest to the fact that she was a sure thing once she took an interest in a man. Perhaps he was still a virgin and was too shy to just come out and ask. That had to be it. As she gazed deeper into those whiskey brown orbs, it became clearer that his desires went beyond an illicit affair. There was real affection there.
He took her delicate hands into his and caressed them with large, calloused fingers. "I…I care about you, Solona…a great deal…much more than I should. I think about you all the time. I know it's wrong, but I can't help it."
He swallowed hard before closing the gap between them and softly touching his lips to hers. Solona melted into him and entangled her fingers in the waves of his hair. She pulled him closer. The strong arms encircling her tightened as his hands moved up her back to the nape of her neck. The young mage had been kissed many times by many men and boys, but this was different. She had only been kissed like that by one other man. She shut her eyes tight.
Anders.
She recalled the night before Anders' fifth escape. The night she had been positive their encounter had been more than just sexual. He made love to her that night. She knew it, deep down in the very depths of her soul, she knew it. He had never been so passionate, so tender, so loving. But he didn't speak the words she needed to hear. He never spoke those words to her.
It wasn't real, Solona. It never was. Just as this isn't real.
She wanted to push Cullen away, to tell him to go and never bother her again, but she didn't. She simply pulled back far enough to see his eyes, to see if she could discern the lie behind those soft brown orbs. Unfortunately, the only thing she found was gentleness and…
No, she wouldn't allow herself be fooled in such a manner again. She would simply continue to play along until one or the both of them gave up the ruse. Love was only a game, after all. A distraction to pass the time. That's what Anders always said.
Cullen caressed her cheek with his thumb and smiled. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
"You have no idea how long I've wanted you to do that, Cullen," she told him with a lascivious grin.
His eyes probed hers. "Do you think this can even work? If we keep it a secret? If we're caught, it will mean a transfer for me at the very least…maybe even dismissal from the Order. And there is no telling the trouble it might bring to you."
What was he talking about? Make what work? If he wanted games, she could certainly play along. She learned from the best, after all.
"Does it really matter?" she asked.
"No," he breathed. "It doesn't. Not at all." He searched her eyes again. "So…do you still think you want to go to Ostagar?"
"What do you think?" Solona asked as she pulled him in for another kiss.
Doc never denied the fact that he was an asshole, and he always regretted that he treated Solona so badly. He really did a number on her, that's for certain. It's no wonder he and Cullen hated each other for so many years. Cullen says he always kind of suspected she felt that way back then, but he couldn't help but love her.
-G
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