For the Inquisition

Lasa ghilan

"So you've taught me Dalish history, will you ever teach me elvish?" Cullen was relaxed in his chair across the table from me, a tin cup held loosely between his fingers.

"Telanadas." Was all I replied. He chuckled and leaned forward so his elbows rested on the table.

"If I remember correctly, you promised me a story." I cleared my throat and leaned back in my seat.

"I suppose I did." I took a drink from my cup, relishing the burn of the liquor. "I was born into a Dalish clan and when I was 12, Tevinter slavers visited our camp in the night. My parents hadn't been watching me too closely and I had snuck out to watch the halla sleep. They grabbed me and I never saw my family again."

"They took you to the imperium?" I nodded. I watched a muscle feather in his cheek as his jaw clenched and he looked away.

"I remember being strapped to a table and being branded as a slave. They forced me to wear a muzzle over my mouth and jaw because I was known to bite masters when their hands got too close to me." Cullen chuckled softly. "They did unspeakable things to me."

"I'm terribly sorry that happened to you." I gave him a soft smile. "But I am not surprised that you were a biter."

"This story has a happy ending, though. It took me months to earn the trust of the women working the kitchens. I learned their delivery schedule and snuck onto a cargo ship heading back to Thedas on a very cloudy night. I was seasick the whole way and the sailors nearly threw me overboard a dozen times."

"I'm very glad they didn't." I blushed as our gazes met.

"So, I ended up living on the streets in Denerim. Elves are treated very poorly in the bigger cities so I often went weeks without a proper meal. Some servants would toss me the scraps of their masters' meals. I joined King Alistair's royal guard when I was 20 and I've spent every day since climbing through the ranks."

"So you've met the king?" I nodded. "What's he like? I met him briefly in the Circle tower when he was working with the Hero of Fereldan, but that's all."

"He tries to be funny and fails most of the time. He's kind and genuine and makes no secret how much he hates his crown but I think that makes him an even better king." Cullen nodded, leaning back in his chair to take a deep drink from his cup.

"I received word from Seeker Cassandra. She and Ariess have made much progress in the Hinterlands but there are refugees there that need help. I'm taking a small squadron to the crossroads to try and recruit some of these refugees." He leaned forward and laced his fingers together, looking up at me. "I would like you to accompany me."

"The Captain of the eighth grew up in that area. Surely he would be a better choice." Cullen stood, leaning on the table in front of me.

"I don't want the Captain of the eighth with me." My breath caught in my throat at the intensity in his eyes. He pushed up off the table and crossed the room to lean against my full bookshelf, as if he too had felt the air in the room grow hotter, the walls press in closer. "I have too much on my plate. The Inquisition grows larger every day. I need a lieutenant to help command the captains and train the troops. After seeing you fight the demons in the temple, I've been considering you." Hope swelled in my chest before it crashed against my ribs. How many times had I been promised a promotion before it fell through and was given to someone else, a human.

"And the Hinterlands?" I asked.

"A final test. If you do well and we come home with more recruits, you'll be promoted to lieutenant. The only people you'll answer to are me, Seeker Cassandra, Ambassador Montilyet, Leliana, and Ariess." I sucked in a breath.

"And you're sure you want to elevate an elf to that position?" My question echoed into the silence. I gazed at my feet as I felt his eyes bore holes in me.

"I think it's high time elves are treated as humans. You have been through so much. You deserve this, probably more than the other captains. You've worked twice as hard to get to the same place as them." My heart warmed at the fierceness in his voice.

"I promise you won't be disappointed with my performance in the Hinterlands." I stood at attention, the image of professionalism.

"Ariess and Seeker Cassandra should be retuning with Redcliffe's former horse master any day. Then she will be heading to the Storm Coast to possibly recruit a mercenary company. That's when we'll head to the crossroads." I nodded as he strode towards the door. "Goodnight, Captain Jesaere."

"Goodnight, Commander."