Chapter Text
Josie stood at the head of the war table, addressing the council and Inquisitor. "Your attack on the Shrine of Dumat was quite successful Inquisitor, we were able to retain several valuable pieces of information on Samson and his where abouts, not to mention his red lyrium armor."
Nodding in agreement, Cullen adds "Even if we weren't able to save Maddox". He feels a familiar hand over his, and gives it a knowing squeeze in thanks. Nora to his left, gives him a reassuring smile and nods.
"Yes," she adds. "Even though we weren't able to save Maddox, we DID get some rather valuable intel. Leliana, have you made any progress on where Samson is, or how we can find him?"
Cullens eyes drift to their spymaster and sees a knowing smirk crawl to her lips.
"Yes actually, I'm glad you brought that up, Inquisitor." She strode over to the other side of the war table and pointed to a spot just North of the Emprise. "Here, only 3 days ride from Skyhold. My scouts have informed me of a red templar party that made it out of the Emprise before you arrived, and they have a Red Templar Knight Captain with them. They are not aware we know their location, so if we act quickly I believe we can put him down. Losing another Knight Captain will be another damaging blow for Samson."
Removing his hands from the war table and placing them to rest on the pommel of his sword, Cullen nodded and walked over to where Leliana was standing, studying the map. "So," he queries, "The Inquisitor and a small party ride for the encampment in the morning. We clear them out, ensure the area is clear and then come back."
From across the table Nora quirked an eyebrow at him, questioning. "We? Does this mean you're coming with me again, Commander?"
He couldn't help the smile that crept to his lips. "Yes, Inquisitor. I intend to see this business through with Samson and his Red Templars. Besides," a wave of his hand, "I won't keep my skills sharp from behind a desk all the time. Our attack on The Shrine of Dumat reminded me of that."
Nora placed a hand on her hip and nodded. "Very well." Turning her head towards the spymaster she rose her eyebrows in question. "Was there anything else Leliana, or is that all?"
Leliana clasped her hands behind her. "I have nothing more for now, Inquisitor."
Nora clapped her hands together and looked around the room. "Very well! Looks like I leave in the morning so I have some preparations to make. Dismissed."
Cullen watched as Josie and Leliana left the room together. After a glance back in his direction a chuckle was shared between them, and Leliana whispered something to Josie.
Cullen shook his head, the corners of his lips creeping up. Probably something about Nora and I, knowing them. They gossip like hens, those two. Ever since he and Nora had made their relationship known, there was teasing. Constant teasing. As much as he acted irritated by it, Cullen rather enjoyed it. The fact that they had someone, Nora, to tease him about was the best thing to happen to him in years.
A hand draping over his roused him from his thoughts.
"Cullen?" Nora was looking at him and smirking. "You're standing there looking a bit dazed, is everything alright?"
He squeezed her hand in assurance, a small chuckle escaping him. "Of course, I was day-dreaming. Nothing more. Do you have some time? It's nearly lunch and I thought we could take it together."
Leaning up and placing a quick kiss on his cheek, she grinned. "I always have time for you. I just need to write a quick letter -I should have done it this morning- then I'm yours. I'll meet you in your office?"
"Of course. What's the letter? Is it something I can help with?"
"Oh!" A soft smile. "Thank you, but there's no need. It's just to Dominic."
Cullen noticed her eyes drop and smile fade, and he took her hand in his.
"I see... Is everything alright, Nora? You seem troubled."
"It's just... I haven't heard from him in over a month, Cullen. I usually get a letter each week, or at the very least every couple of weeks." She sighed and looked down at her feet. "I'm just worried is all. It's probably nothing."
He brought her chin up and kissed her forehead. "I'm sure he's fine, love. He's a trained Templar and knows how to take care of himself. When the mages rebelled and the Templar order disbanded, he stayed behind to help the mages not wanting to join the rebellion. He's a good man and besides, his last letter said nothing of trouble. He's probably just taking precautions with sending ravens while traveling. You do it yourself frequently."
"You're right, I'm probably just overthinking it." Nora glanced up at him, offering a tender smile. "Thank you. You always know what to say." She craned up on her toes and kissed him.
Her touch was soft and tender at first, then more urgent. A hand slid up the back of his neck and he felt his face flush when it fingered the curls forming at the base of his neck. He parted her lips with his tongue, and a growl escaped his throat when he felt teeth nip at his bottom lip and pull. Sighing into his mouth she pressed her body into him, and instinctively his hand went to the small of her back. Fingers crept along the waistline of his trousers and he smirked against her lips, an amused huff escaping him.
"Nora." His voice was light, but ragged. "We'll never make it to lunch if you keep that up."
An exasperated sigh. "I know, I know, you're right." She stepped back and smoothed her tunic, attempting to right herself before leaving the room. Cullen noticed a stray tress of red hanging out of her braid, and brushed it back behind her ear. His heart swelled at the fondness so plainly displayed on her face when she gazed back at him.
"Alright. I'm going to write that letter and then I'll be in your office. Give me twenty minutes?"
"Take all the time you need, love."
He watched her make her way out of the war room and called to her just as she met the door. "Shall I get our lunch?"
She smiled softly back at him. "No need, I'll grab some on my way to you. Just make sure there's a chair for me this time! That spare stool you keep is a pitiful excuse for a seat."
He flashed her a lopsided grin and narrowed his eyes. "You could always just sit in my lap."
She waltzed out of the war room laughing, and called back to him. "Chair, Cullen! There better be a chair!"
She sat across from him, feet up and legs crossed atop his desk with a plate of food in her lap. Cullen sat across from her leaned back in his desk chair, chin resting on his knuckles while he watched her.
She was recounting a presumably laughable story Bull had told her in the tavern about the last run the Chargers went out on, but his attention was not on the words she spoke.
Maker, but she is a beautiful woman.
He lost track of her tale, too enraptured with the way her fingers twiddled the grapes she was eating, how her eyes lit up whenever he smiled -And oh, what a shade of green they are-, how her lips moved as words fell from them, and how she threw her head back in laughter, barely able to contain herself. He laughed along with her -unsure as to what exactly he was laughing at- and relished the happiness he shared with her in this moment.
I must be the luckiest man in all of Thedas.
Just then his office door opened and their Spymaster walked in, papers in hand.
"Oh! My apologies Inquisitor, I wasn't aware that you were here. I'll come back" She started to turn back when Nora called out to her, rising from her seat.
"No it's no worry Leliana. I was about to leave anyway, I still have things to do before we depart in the morning. Cullen and I were just having lunch."
"Are you sure, Inquisitor? I can come back at a later-"
Nora put her hand up and smiled, "I'm sure. And please, Leliana, it's just Nora. We aren't at the War Table and there are no dignitaries here." She tossed a smirk in Cullen's direction as she left his office towards the main keep. "Find me later?"
He nodded and grinned, "Of course."
Leliana shut the door as Nora left the office and turned to Cullen, her expression unreadable. "I have additional information on the Red Templar encampment that you need to see."
She held out one of the pages in her hand as she walked toward his desk, placing it in front of him.
"Oh, thank you Leliana." He took it and went to place it to the side of his desk but her hand stopped him. She placed it back it front of him. "You should read it right away Commander."
He peered up at her, confusion washing over his face. "Alright, if you insist." He began skimming the page; reading bits and pieces of the report aloud to himself;
"Just North of the Emprise, not far from here... 25, maybe 30 of them, 40 if you include the Knight Captain and his escort... Red Templars, one Behemoth, all seem to be fully under the influence of Red Lyrium-"
He flashed his eyes up to her, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his tone. "Leliana, this is all information we covered in the War Table meeting." His eyes still skimming the page, he questioned her again. "Why am I reading information I already know? I don't see the point in-"
His voice caught in his throat when he got to the last line of the report. Blinking, he re-read it. Hoping, praying that his tired eyes had tricked him, and that he had misread it the first time. His heart sank and his chest tightened when he realized he hadn't, and why Leliana insisted he read it now. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, placing his head in his hands.
"Are you certain?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
She clasped her hands behind her back when she spoke. "Yes, Commander, I'm certain. My agents have been trailing him for weeks."
By the tears of the Maker, of all the men in Thedas why did it have to be him.
He can't look up, not yet. "Does she know?"
"No, but she will. The red lyrium has taken him but still carries his features... The scar across his nose, the black hair... His voice is almost unchanged." She took a step forward to emphasize her next point. "She will know him, Commander."
Slowly he ran his hands through his hair as he uttered a curse to himself, finally opening his eyes to read the line one last time:
Sister Leliana, at your request we have discovered the identity of the Red Templar Knight Captain in the encampment. His name is Sir Dominic Garin, former Templar Knight of the Ostwick Circle.