Breaking the Divide - Cullen X Reader

1

    "How many men did we lose?" Cullen picked up the report, recognizing several of the names among the dead.

"Not as many as we could have," Leliana said. "Our scouts were particularly fortunate that the prisoner insisted on going through the pass to get them."

Josephine cleared her throat.

"Herald," Leliana corrected with a sigh. "She should be with us shortly."

Cullen blinked. "She?"

"You didn't know?" Leliana asked. "I thought you'd checked on the prisoner earlier."

"I sent several of the Templars we have to check on him–her. I knew she was a mage but little else. When the reports returned with no sign of possession, it ceased to matter."

"No curiosity?" Josephine asked. "I've already contacted the various branches of her family as well as the Circle to which she belonged."

Cullen chuckled to himself. Of course she had. Give Josephine a stranger and she'd know who their best friends were before the day was done.

"Very well, then," he said when the ambassador gained an excited gleam in her eye that demanded to be shared. "What should I know of her?"

"Lady Y/N Trevelyan–though I suppose the Lady part is in name only–the oldest child by ten years, she has two twin brothers, Marcus and Anthony. Her parents sent her to the Ostwick Circle when she was–"

"Wait. They sent her there? Voluntarily?" It was uncommon for any family to simply hand over their child. For a noble family to do so–especially with a firstborn–it was nearly unheard of.

Leliana spoke up. "That's what her Grand Enchanter said in his letter. And yes," she added when Cullen opened his mouth, "I had the source verified. The Herald was sent as his representative which is why he still lives."

"Lucky for him," Cullen muttered. Questions swirled on his tongue like ashes rises from a prodded fire. He sighed and let them fall when the doors of the war room opened with a loud creak. Setting the report down, he glanced up as Cassandra marched in with a woman at her side. The stranger had a straight nose, beautiful light pink tinted cheeks, and gorgeous y/sc skin. Her y/hc hair was kept short, brushed away from her face. But it was her eyes that caught his attention. Y/ec  that glowed when she looked at him.

"May I present Commander Cullen," Cassandra said with a slight gesture of her hand, "leader of the Inquisition's forces."

"Such as they are. We lost many soldiers in the valley and I fear many more will join them before this is through."

She gave him a slight nod as Cassandra introduced the others. Cullen watched her, assessing her. She was tall, even for a Free Marcher, and broad in the shoulders. She stood straight and looked each of them in the eye when she spoke. He smiled. Whatever else this woman was, coward didn't rank among her list of attributes.

"... must approach the rebel mages for help."

Cullen blinked at the sudden swerve of conversation, latching onto the argument he and the spymaster had been dancing around for days. "And I still disagree," he said. "The Templars could serve just as well."

"We need power, Commander," Cassandra's voice carried a slight snarl. He knew she was as sick of this debate as he was. "Enough magic poured into that mark–"

"Might destroy us all. Templars could suppress the Breach, weaken it so–"

"Pure speculation," Leliana interrupted.

"I was a Templar. I know what they're capable of."

He didn't miss the sharp intake of breath across the table. Y/N's eyes had widened, her body stiffened, arms folding it tight against her side. Cullen faltered.