For the Inquisition

Bearquisition

The Crossroads were bustling with activity as our small party finally reached the Hinterlands. I followed Cullen to a small wooden house tucked into the side of a path through the hillside. There was a small garden of elfroot just outside and a fence around the back.

"Lavellan said this house was abandoned in her report. It's been converted into a living space for some of the soldiers but we'll be staying here for the duration of our time here." Half walls separated sections of the walls but the center of the circular house was open. Beds lined the walls, most of them bunked three beds high to house more soldiers.

"And what about the soldiers that usually sleep here?" I didn't want to kick my fellow Inquisition soldiers out into the cold because I wanted a promotion.

"They were sent to Haven for extra training and debriefing. When we're done here, this will be used to house refugees who cannot travel to Haven." Relief flooded through me.

"Speaking of debriefing, you still haven't told me what I'm supposed to do while I'm here."

"We'll only be here for a few days while Lavellan travels to the Storm Coast. A messenger came to Haven and told her about a mercenary company we might be interested in. The Bull's Chargers are led by a Qunari named The Iron Bull." I folded my arms and stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point. "We are to visit the horsemaster and make sure the horses are safe on their way to Haven, which means we need to assign soldiers to escort them there. We also need to deal with a bear that keeps attacking one of the camps Lavellan set up. There are also several refugees that have requested to go to Haven. They will either go with the horses or in a separate caravan which will also need an armed escort."

"Is that all?" I asked, almost overwhelmed.

"One more thing, King Alistair has requested a meeting with me, and you will accompany me." I was speechless.

"You want me at a meeting with the King of Ferelden?" I asked him. "I'm an elf."

"The King of Ferelden was in love with an elf." I stared at him in shock.

"No, he was not." I denied. I didn't know much about Fereldan royalty, despite having served in the royal guard. I grew up in Tevinter so events from the Fifth Blight were a foreign subject to me.

"He and the Hero of Ferelden were in love. She was a Dalish elf trained as a rogue. She died slaying the archdemon and he's never taken a queen."

"So you think bringing an elf to the meeting will help you?" Cullen nodded.

"I will fill you in with the details later. First we need to get to the southwestern camp and deal with this bear. Bring your sword and put on some armor. I'll wait for you outside." He ducked out the short doorway, leaving me alone. I strapped on my breastplate, now branded with the symbol of the Inquisition. I pulled on a long coat without sleeves over it and tied a thick belt around my waist, cinching everything together. I hooked my shield onto my back and secured my sword belt around my hips.

We heard the bear before we saw it. Cullen and I both drew our swords as we approached the camp. The bear's maw opened wide and it roared, saliva flying from its lips. I rolled my shoulders before I swung with my sword, the blade glancing of its thick hide, barely drawing blood.

"This is gonna suck." I muttered before dodging a giant paw swung at me. I twirled, my blade singing through the air as I struck at the creature's neck, hoping to get lucky. The bear roared in pain as I struck, a wound opening on its throat. Cullen stuck the same spot now that the bear was distracted by me. I caught a blow to the chest, the force knocking me backwards. I screamed as the bear jumped at me, jabbing up with my sword.

"Jesaere!" Cullen called my name as the bear collapsed on top of me. I choked back vomit as warm blood soaked my clothing, staining my skin.

"It's okay this bear weighs nothing, I can move it myself." I gasped out, my chest slowly being crushed by the weight of the mammal.

"Help me move it." He called to people who had been cowering in the camp. I gulped down air as the weight was lifted off my chest. I grasped Cullen's hand and he pulled me up, grimacing at the blood covering my clothes.

"I know a lake you can clean up in."

The lake sat on the top of the hill and you could see a great deal of the Hinterlands from the edge of it. I undid my belt and pulled off my coat to unstrap my breastplate. "It's gone through to my underclothes. I'm going to have to undress." Cullen's cheeks reddened and he sputtered.

"I will go and get you a fresh set of clothes." I waited until he had disappeared down the hill before stripping off my clothes, stepping into the freezing lake. I closed my eyes as the water soaked my hair, washing the blood from it. Cullen returned shortly, a bundle of dry clothes in his hand. I smiled at him from the lake while I ran my hands through my hair. His cheeks flushed red and he set the clothes on a flat rock near the lake. "I'll turn around so you can dress." He indeed turned to face the mountain and I chuckled as I left the icy grip of the water and began pulling on the clothes he had brought me.

"Thank you, Cullen." He still had his back to me.

"Once you're dressed we'll head to Redcliffe to meet with the king." Even the back of his neck was red. I smiled and shook my head as I pulled on the pants and long sleeve shirt, dyed a dark red, then a leather vest buckled over it.

"So how did I do?" I asked, once we had begun the hike towards Redcliffe.

"You showed exemplary skill and strength in the fight. If you do well in this meeting with the king I think you can call it yours." He smiled at me, the awkward tension dissolving between us.

"Commander Cullen!" Alistair was beaming as he entered the Redcliffe chantry. "I am so delighted to finally meet you." He enthusiastically shook Cullen's hand before turning to me. "And you are?" He dragged the question out.

"My new lieutenant, second only to me." I let out a strangled noise in surprise. I didn't expect him to tell me until we returned to Haven.

"Oh is that your name then?" Alistair copied the noise I made and grinned at me. "That doesn't sound Dalish."

"It's Jesaere, your highness." I bowed my head as I spoke. He waved me off.

"Oh, I won't have any of that. Alistair is fine." I nodded and clasped my hands together in front of me.

"I actually used to serve in your royal guard, ser." He cocked an eyebrow.

"No, that can't be true. I would never forget an elf as fierce as yourself. That would mean egg on my face." I laughed.

"It's true, Alistair. Her story is awe inspiring." My face heated under the warmth of Cullen's proud smile.

"Well, consider me thoroughly mortified that I did not recall you. I shall be sure to not forget you again. Now, Cullen, I would love to hear all about this Inquisition you command and then I would like to swap stories about templar life with you. All the templars in Denerim are boring and refuse to speak casually with me." Cullen grinned at the king and the two began speaking animatedly together. I stood at attention behind Cullen, pride filling my chest. No other elf had been elevated this high by humans, except maybe Ariess Lavellan. I fought back tears as I thought back to my family, who most likely assumed I was long dead. I sent a silent prayer to Mythal, asking for protection and guidance in the days to come.