Sisters of Tevinter

That Blasted Templar

      Jor woke to the cries of ravens and the ringing of steel. Sunlight streamed into the room in rays that stretched to greet her. Somewhere, someone was hammering an anvil in that steady clanging rhythm. Voices bubbled up the stairs in blurs and murmurs. Jor swung her legs out of bed and tugged on her coat, winding her scarf around her neck as she quickstepped past the windows and down the stairs. 

      Mist and frost hung low over the damp earth of the courtyard where a small crowd had gathered. Jor sidled her way silently behind the soldiers and merchants and mercenaries, spotting Varric and Dorian lounging against the low stone wall, their attention trained on the dueling warriors in the center of the yard. Jor blinked, catching a flash of red hair beneath a bronze helmet. 

     "What's going on here?" Jor queried, bemused as she leaned against the wall beside Dorian.

     "The Lion picked a fight with the Crow. She said something offhand about his sword skills and he invited her to test her tongue." Varric grinned. "Let's see... her exact words were; 'You couldn't parry a backstab if it walked up and invited you to tea.'"

     "We're placing bets," Dorian explained, grinning as he watched the Commander twist and lift his sword with practiced grace over his shoulder to block Kaisen's thrust, the resonating clang echoing off the mountains. "I said the Lion would hold his own for ten minutes."

     "I said he wouldn't last five."

     Jor watched the exchange of steel and a smile tugged at her mouth. "I'd say he's going easy on her."

    Cullen, the picture of experience, lifted his shield once to shove away Kaisen's twisted daggers. He turned, twirling his blade expertly in his hand. The Crow lunged from the side, appearing as if from thin air. Her blades locked with the commander's sword. 

     Cullen took a steady step back and brought his shield under her hands to break her grip, yanking his blade to one side. Kaisen was smacked aside with the flat of his sword, dropping her daggers with a low cry of pain, her palms cupped over her nose as she stumbled back. The crowd gasped. Cullen's eyes widened as he laid his sword in the melting snow, extending a hand. "I'm sorry-" 

      The hint of a grin shone from beneath Kaisen's hand. Jor bit her lip to keep from smiling. Oh no. 

      The Crow kicked her boot beneath the hilt of the sword, tossing it into her hand and levelling it at the templar's nose. The surrounding soldiers whispered and oohed. 

     "Careful, commander," Kaisen purred. "Keep still or you'll have another scar to match your lip."

      Cullen's eyes danced with dark amusement. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. 

       "Hah!" Varric puffed his chest in triumph. "I knew it." 

        Kaisen grinned and took a step closer, pressing the tip of the commander's sword to his chestplate. "I told you so." 

        Cullen gave a roguish smirk, clapping his gauntlets over the blade. He twisted low in the frost and spun to his feet, gripping the hilt of the sword over his head and shoving it forward, sweeping Kaisen's boots out from under her. The Crow gave a breathless scoff of surprise as she fell forward on her hands, completing a forward hand spring and dusting snow from her gloves, her breath fogging in the frigid air.

       Cullen grinned and tossed the blade aside. "Draw?"

      "Damn," Dorian whispered. "There goes my silver."

       Kaisen scowled and gave a theatrical, drawn out bow. The crowd burst into whistles and applause. Some began to disperse. Cullen smiled and set his shield against the wall, looking lost in thought. 

        Jor clapped quietly beside her friends, a grin tugging at her mouth. "Well done, commander," Dorian called. 

        "Nice job, birdie. You'll get him next time." Varric beamed and settled with his arms across his chest.

        Kaisen tugged her helmet from her head, facing Cullen with an irritated chuff. "I had you." Strands of her fiery hair, damp from sweat, clung to her cheeks.

        The Lion smiled. "Briefly," he admitted. 

        "By rights, you cheated." 

         "I did not feign injury." 

         Kaisen scoffed, her hand flying to her breast in mock affront. "I would never. You could have scarred my face. My nose, it bleeds." 

         "My deepest apologies, my lady." Cullen placed his fist over his heart and bowed, but he was still smiling slightly, eyes trained on the ground. 

        Dorian whistled playfully. "I should have brought drinks. Breakfast and a show." 

        Cullen scoffed, a rosy tinge to his stubbled cheeks as he tugged the furred lapels of his cloak back into place and straightened. Kaisen grinned. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot we had an audience. How did I look, cousin?" 

         "Radiant, as always." 

         Kaisen preened, ruffling her fingers along her scalp to loose her hair in its rolling waves. "Thank you." 

         Jor laughed. "Maybe next time don't bad mouth my commander." 

         The corners of Cullen's eyes crinkled slightly as he glanced at Jor, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Your faith in me is inspiring, Herald." 

       "And yours in me." Jor cast him a jaunty salute. "I think I'll go find something to eat now. Anything I can help with?" 

       "You'll want to speak with Josephine when you can, she's organizing the War Room." 

       "Thank you, commander. Carry on. Kaisen, do me a favor?" 

       The Crow looked up, smiling. "Hm?" 

       "Don't kill my strategist. I've grown rather fond of him." 

       Varric laughed. Kaisen tapped her chin. "I'll think about it."