Mystia: The Templar Inquisitor of the Inquisition

Nine

Mystia walked along the battlements, the Siege of Adamant Fortress had gone better than expected, but Mystia was mentally kicking herself for allowing Hawke's Grey Warden contact, a man Mystia only knew as Stroud, to sacrifice himself to allow them safe passage out of the Fade. His death was greatly affecting Mystia has she had not wanted anyone to do so, but the man had not allowed her to pick between him and Hawke, Stroud had sacrificed himself anyways and Hawke had dragged Mystia through the rift, and with deepening sorrow Mystia had sealed the rift with Stroud still in the Fade. Hawke had been kind to Mystia during the whole time they were in the Fade and had also grown closer to her upon discovering her lost memories of why she had gone to the Conclave originally. What Mystia remembered her companions had seen as well and Hawke had been the only one to see that she was truly different kind of Templar, once they had exited the Fade and the rift had been sealed for good, Mystia had given the remaining Grey Wardens a choice. Either help the Inquisition as Allies and begin rebuilding or go to their main city and never return, but needless to say, the Grey Wardens had chosen option one and now that Mystia was back in Skyhold she had had a lot of time to think and it wasn't doing her any good as the moon began to rise in the sky. Hawke had quietly informed Cullen of what had happened in the Fade and for the moment, the Commander was giving Mystia some space to think. I had been asked by Oliver to go to the Conclave not to help mother but for the leader of the Order to make an example out of me for protecting two mages who had turned to Blood Magic to save my sorry hide from a pack of abominations and in turn I had protected them from the other Templars of Ostwick to include Oliver... Mystia stopped for a moment to watch the moon rise, She was more than sure Hawke was telling his mage lover of what he had witnessed but sighed heavily as her hair fell into her face, covering her left eye as she lowered her head. I would have taken the punishment without a second thought and now Cullen knows why I was there at the conclave. Will he still want to be with me knowing what he does now? She wondered as she looked in the direction of his office. Only one way to find out. She told herself as she slipped into his office but the sight that met her had her heart thrilled to see how he was truly in his element. Leaning against a wall closet to the open door she had just entered, she felt her heart beating fast as he handed out orders.

"Rylen's men will monitor the situation." His words echoed back to her as she watched him with a gaze so soft that it would be hard to miss.

"Yes, Ser! We will begin preparations at once!" A soldier spoke as she acknowledged the command.

"In the meantime, we'll send soldier's to..." It was at that moment Cullen looked up from a board to see Mystia watching him with both fascination and something akin to love in her gaze, and his voice faltered slightly. "Assist with the relief effort." He kept his gaze on her, wondering what would happen if he were to take it off of her for just a moment. "That will be all."

"Ser." The soldiers around him saluted before leaving and Cullen was quick to close the door behind the last one. The other two doors were locked at this time of night, so he was doubtful anyone would disturb them.

"There's alway's something more, isn't there?" He questioned more to himself than to her, but she answered anyway.

"Wishing we were somewhere else?" She asked as he laughed a touch.

"I barely found time to get away before." He informed her standing straight and walking towards his desk. "This war won't last forever. When it started, I hadn't considered much beyond our survival. But things are different now..." He heard her slide off the wall to walk towards him, her stride was different tonight, almost cautious in a way and he could guess as of to why.

"What do you mean?" She asked as he looked at her.

"I find myself wondering what will happen after. When this is over, I won't want to move on...not from you." He raised his hand up to touch her gently on the cheek and found her willingly leaning her head into his hand, which had him looking at her with a gaze that spoke the words he dared not to say. When he pulled his hand away, he seemed flustered for a moment. "But I don't know what you- That is, if you, ah..." He was making a complete fool of himself and turned back towards his desk to hide the sudden blush overtaking his face.