Sisters of Tevinter

Pomegranates

   She looked radiant. She was laughing softly, greeting her cheerful hound, soft streaks of dirt crossed her freckled face, her hair hung loose about her shoulders like liquid fire. 

    Relief washed over Cullen's heart like cold, sweet water. She'd come back to him, whole and smiling. Thank the Maker. 

    Jormungandr was out of her seat in seconds, striding to cross the room and cup her sister's face in her hands, examining her shrewdly for injuries. Finding none, as Dane sat attentively by her side, the Inquisitor smudged her thumb across the streak of ash at the Crow's cheek. "How did it go?" 

     Kaisen batted her sister's hand away with a smile. "Fine, but there's a lot I have to tell you when Leliana gets back. She wasn't in her tower." 

   "She has departed briefly. She will return this evening," Josephine said, smiling as she scrawled the last of Jor's scathing letter. Cullen could only stare, he wasn't really listening. He tried to form words, but his chest was throbbing rather loudly. 

    Jor glanced back at him and Lady Montilyet, then a smile touched her mouth. "I have to speak with my brother. If you'll excuse me?" 

    Cullen swallowed thickly. "Of course, Inquisitor." 

    She left with a sweep of her scarf. Dane trotted after her curiously. As she disappeared into the hall, a scout passed her, his hooded face in shadow. He started, glancing up at Kaisen. "Welcome back, Crow." 

     "Hey, Mason. Got something for us?" 

     "For the commander." The young man turned to Cullen. "I'm putting together the seventh contingent for the march on the Exalted Plains. You'll want the report?" 

     The familiar tone of duty and task snapped the commander from his stupor. "Yes, I'll need it brought to me immediately upon its completion. What news of armaments?"

    "Satisfactory, ser." 

    "Good. You're dismissed." 

    Mason turned to go. Cullen rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh, glancing up to see Kaisen smiling slightly. "Hello, knight." 

     He cleared his throat, his pule jackknifing against his jaw. "Welcome home, my lady." 

    "Home, huh?" The Crow's gaze flicked to the ceiling and musingly about Skyhold's walls. "Yes, I suppose so." 

    Josephine cleared her throat, smiling softly. 

    "Ah. Pardon us, ambassador. Please, continue your work." Cullen ducked his head and swept out of the War Room. Kaisen fell into step beside him without hesitation. He could feel her warmth, so close to his arm that laid over the sword at his hip. 

   "How have you been? Make any wishes recently?" The Crow smiled her sweet, small smile. 

    Cullen's mouth curved upward slightly as he let himself wander aimlessly through the halls, absorbed in her now familiar presence. He felt much better seeing her here now. She'd only been gone about a week, but it had felt wrong without her. No challenges, no insults or teasing flippancies. Oh yes, he'd wished. He wished she'd hurry back. "Any duels?" 

    "No, commander," she laughed, the sound its usual, beautiful high note like bells and morning mist. "I kept my promise." 

   Cullen found himself pushing open the door leading out onto the ramparts. The overcast sky promised rain, though golden slats of sun filtered down over the peaks. The air was unseasonably warm, moisture caressed his face. They were standing on the battlements across from Cullen's quarters, where they'd stumbled upon each other in the early morning.