Dragon Age: The Silences Song

Chapter 6

Cullen followed his wife into the dining hall, the atmosphere thick with the chatter of Grey Wardens gathered for their evening meal. The vast chamber, dimly lit by torchlight, hummed with the sound of clinking cutlery and the low rumble of voices. The air was rich with the scent of roasted meats and fresh bread, only stirring Cullen's appetite more.
As they entered, a familiar face caught his eye—Blackwall, standing up from a table near the center of the hall, his rugged features breaking into a rare smile.

"Blackwall," Cullen greeted, returning the smile.

"Commander Cullen," Blackwall replied, his voice warm. "I see the battle's not beaten you yet."

"I heard you survived the Joining," Cullen said, relief thick in his tone. "I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again."

"Nor I you, old friend. Seems like there's no end to the fights we're thrown into, but it's good to see a familiar face. How are the others?"

Cullen's smile faded, "The war has only just begun," he said quietly.

Blackwall's own face darkened. "I've heard... and I thought my betrayal was the worst thing that could have happened."

Cullen nodded solemnly, his mind drifting to darker thoughts. "You have no idea."

As they approached the Warden-Commander's table, Blackwall fell beside Cullen, while Elizabeth silently took her seat at Cullen's right, her presence commanding its own quiet respect.

No sooner had Cullen settled into his seat when the Warden-Commander leaned forward, his grizzled face framed by the flickering shadows of the torchlight. "La'el came to see me," he said, his tone grave.

Cullen raised an eyebrow, a faint snort escaping him. "That was fast. Yes, she wants to join us on the Deep Roads journey."

The Warden-Commander sighed, rubbing his forehead. "She's persistent, I'll give her that. But you do realize she has no real field experience, Cullen. She's a mage, yes, but not trained for what lies beneath the surface."

Cullen straightened in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "So I've heard," he replied, his tone clipped. "But right now, I'll take any help I can get."
The Warden-Commander frowned, his lips pressed into a thin line. "You're asking for trouble. The Deep Roads aren't just another battlefield—they're a graveyard for the unprepared. You know what you'll face down there. Can she handle that?"

Cullen leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as if contemplating his next move in a game of chess. "She claims she can handle herself. Besides, she made a point earlier—if Elizabeth insists on coming with me, I'd rather have a capable mage at her side than leave her vulnerable. La'el's a Knight-Enchanter; she's been trained, even if not tested in combat. And the Maker knows, I need every advantage I can get."

At this, Elizabeth finally spoke, her voice firm. "I'm not some fragile noblewoman, Commander. I don't need protection." She glanced at Cullen, her eyes flashing with defiance. "But I won't turn down the extra help, either."

The Warden-Commander's gaze flicked between the two, his expression unreadable. "It's your call, Cullen. But if something happens to her—or to any of you—it's on your head."

Cullen's jaw tightened. He knew the risks. He had seen too many lives lost in the depths of the Deep Roads to make light of it now. But this mission was crucial. The rumors of the darkspawn's silence, the elf studying the dwarven ruins—it all pointed to something bigger, something far more dangerous than what they could see on the surface.

"We leave tomorrow at dawn," Cullen said, his voice steeled with resolve. "La'el comes with us. But the moment she becomes a liability, I'll send her back to the surface."

The Warden-Commander gave a slow nod. "I'll make sure the supplies are ready. You'll need all the help you can get down there, Cullen. Just make sure you all come back."
Cullen said nothing, only giving a curt nod in return. As the servants began to flood the hall, bringing trays of food to the tables, the weight of what lay ahead settled on his shoulders like an old, familiar burden. He glanced at Elizabeth, who had already begun eating, her face calm but her eyes filled with unreadable thoughts.

Without a word, he picked up his spoon and dug into the bowl in front of him. The stew was warm, comforting even, but it did little to ease the knot in his stomach. Tomorrow, they would descend into the Deep Roads, into the unknown. And Cullen, for all his experience, knew one thing with certainty: the unknown always carried a heavy price.

Cullen turned to Blackwall, "Is there no way I can convince you to take on another mission for the Inquisition?"

Blackwall met his gaze with a somber smile, lifting his mug before taking a sip. "I think I've fought enough battles for the Inquisition, Commander," he said, his voice weary.. "My place is with the Grey Wardens now. We have our own darkspawn to face."

Cullen sighed but nodded in understanding. "I thought as much." His eyes shifted back to the Warden-Commander. "But it was worth a try."

"Quit poaching my men," the Warden-Commander chuckled.

Cullen allowed himself a small smile before the Commander continued, "But I do have someone else who might be of interest to you—a dwarf. He used to run with the Hero of Ferelden during the Blight. Knows the Deep Roads like the back of his hand."

Cullen raised an eyebrow. "Who is he?"

"Oghren's his name. A seasoned warrior. I've already sent word; he'll meet you in Orzammar. But just a bit of advice..." The Commander leaned in with a grin. "Bring him an ale. You'll thank me later." He said with a wink.

Cullen let out a soft laugh despite himself. "Noted."