For the Inquisition

Everything is on Fire

My nose was red from cold as we climbed the mountain towards the Temple of Sacred Ashes, or what was left of it. The breach high above us cast the top of the mountain in an eerie green glow. Ariess led the small squadron of templars to the temple, Cassandra right behind her every step. The seeker seemed to have grown fond of the mage, despite having threatened to kill her when they first met. I glanced over at Cullen who walked just a few paces ahead of me, stonefaced. He had not said anything about that night, that kiss. I refused to bring it up first, in case he didn't even remember it due to the whiskey.

"Cullen, what is my role in this?" He glanced at me for a moment before his attention returned to the path in front of him.

"Moral support." He cracked a small grin. "For me and Ariess." He was quiet for a moment. "You two seem to have grown close in the past weeks." I smiled to myself, recalling the nights in the tavern and the walks by the frozen river.

"She's the only one who truly understands me. She's Dalish, like me. She's an outcast, like me. There are other elves in camp but none who truly understand what it means to claw your way to the uppers of society." Snow crunched under our boots. "The Dalish are seen as wild beasts who live in the woods. We are more than that and not many humans will take the time to see past our reputation." He was silent for a moment.

"I've been meaning to speak to you about the other night." My cheeks instantly heated as I recalled the feeling of his body against mine, pushing me against the wood of my cabin. I had replayed the memory over and over in my head, wondering if it meant anything.

"It's fine, you were drunk. I get it." I brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, hoping he wouldn't see how flustered I was. He shook his head.

"I wasn't drunk. I had one drink with Varric while we were catching up about things in Kirkwall." He glanced away. "I saw you walking back to your quarters and I got caught up in my thoughts. I apologize if I offended you in any way."

"Cullen, you did not offend me." I took a deep breath. "In fact you did quite the opposite." His eyes found my face and the corner of his lips turned up in a smirk. I moved closer to him, my hip bumping his thigh.

"I'm glad to hear that." His voice was low as his fingers brushed against mine.

"We've reached the temple." Cassandra called back, her voice echoing off the mountains around us. Just like that, the spell between us was broken, the tension snapped.

"We will continue this conversation later." Cullen's expression shifted to all business as he directed the templars into their positions around the crumbling temple. I approached Ariess as she eyed the breach.

"Tell me I did the right thing." She reached for my hand and I squeezed her fingers in reassurance.

"With what?"

"Choosing the templars. The commander and Cassandra pushed hard for me to choose them and I don't know what happened to the mages left at Redcliffe." She took a shaky breath. "I just want someone to tell me I did the right thing."

"Every choice you make is the right choice. No matter what anyone else says. You have a lot of different opinions being whispered in your ear. I'm here to support you no matter which choices you make." She turned toward me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, the tips of her fingers digging into my back.

"Thank you, Jesaere."

"I should get into position. You can do this." I gave her shoulders one last squeeze before joining Cullen where he was watching Solas address the templars.

"Templars! Focus past the Herald, let her will draw from you!" Solas made a sweeping motion with his arm as he gestured toward Ariess, walking on shaking legs into the green light of the breach. The templars drew their swords and one by one, drove them into the ground beneath them, kneeling for a mage. The breach cracked, the sound ringing through the temple and green light exploded from Ariess' hand. Shadows pooled like liquid night around her ankles and then...