Desire For Power- Cullen Rutherford x Dorian Pavus

Chapter One

Haven. Destroyed. Cover in snow and ashes, sadly forgotten. All because of that bastard Elder One!! Cullen couldn't get the view out of his head, watching his home being destroyed. He couldn't believe his eyes. A real dragon had destroyed everything, and now his people were freezing from the cold and suffering. Tears clouded his eyes, but he pushed them back. He wouldn't cry. Not here, not now, not in front of everyone. In order to survive, he had to show no weakness.

Dorian fell behind the walking group and came to pace with Cullen, gently placing his hand on his shoulder. "This must be so hard for you. I'm sorry to see your home laid to waste and ash." Cullen looked at him and smiled warmly. "Haven will always be my home, even if it only lies within my heart." a look of worry appeared on his face. "I just hope Mira made it out alive. We'd never destroy the rifts without her." He thought aloud. Dorian smirked slyly. "What a touching thought. We barely make it alive, and all your mind thinks of is destroying those damned things."

"I think now we all wish to take vengeance, Magister." Cullen glared. Dorian met his gaze. "I do not prefer of that name, Templar. Call me Dorian." He said gravely. Cullen gave a firm nod at the order. "I am Cullen. Right hand of the inquisition, former Templar. I gave up that life." he stared straight ahead as the words came out like venom, hitting his veins coldly. "Ser Cullen! I see the end to the tunnels!" A guard shouted out. This made Cullen snap into reality. "Hurry, now! Let's go!" His pace increased from walk, to jog, to run. A light shown brightly at the end of the tunnel, leading what was left of Haven onto a snow cover mountain.

Cassandra shivered. "We must start fires to keep warm! Do whatever you can to help keep everyone warm!" She shouted out orders. "I must go, Dorian. I have to find Josephine and Leliana." Cullen jogged away. Solas and Sera came up to Dorian. "Come on! Let's go get this damned fire started!" Sera laughed. "Come now, Sera. This is no laughing matter." Solas eyed her carefully. "Agreed, Solas." Dorian gave a nod and followed them, helping them throughout the camp. Seconds of minutes of hours had passed into days, and now Dorian could see everyone worried about finding Mira and finding shelter. The wind had started to become harsh and gave most sickness. "Our people can't take this much longer, Cassandra." Cullen rubbed his eyes, which now had dark bags under them.

"Cullen, you need rest. It has been two days, and you haven't slept at all!" Josephine pleaded. "Let us handle the rest of the work, just go sleep." Cullen strained to keep his eyes open and keep his balance. "I can't do that, Josephine. Mira is still out there. I have to organize a party to help find her." Leliana came up to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Let me arrange some soldiers to find her, Cullen. You have bags under your eyes, and you need sleep. Just leave the rest to me." With a moment of thought and hesitation, Cullen sighed. "Alright. I'll go rest. Just make sure we find her, or else we're all dead." They nodded and all three parted ways, Cullen to the beds, Josephine to Cassandra, and Leliana to her soldiers and spies. Laying in the snow covered cot, Cullen closed his eyes and let his tense body relax itself, until sleep washed over him.

Hours passed until Dorian shook the blond male awake. "Mira was found!" At those words, Cullen shot up. "What? Where is she?" He turned his head around frantically. "We found her up in the mountains. She fell to her knees and we had to bring her back here. She's resting now, thankfully." Cullen sat up and placed his cold hand to his forehead, a smile across his lips. "I'm happy she's okay." Dorian chuckled and held his famous sly smirk upon his lips. "Yes, Yes. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you without dark circles under your eyes." He laughed and stood up, walking off. Cullen stood to his feet, nearly toppling into the snow. He smiled and walked to the other commanders in the inquisition.

Days passed until Mira finally woke up, and spoke with the commanders. "We need to find somewhere to go! People are getting sick and are dying!" Josephine glared at Cullen. "I'm just as upset as you are! But where do we go!?" Cullen shouted at her. "Mira, a word?" Solas's voice was heard behind her. "Of course," She nodded and followed the apostate. "What's this about, Solas?" She asked. He toyed with a charm on his necklace. "I know of a place where we can stay. It has been abandoned for long, but it's the only place we may be able to go." "Where is this place?" She asked quickly. He stared at her coldly. "Over the mountain, It is a castle fit for you. Come, let us round up the people." He smiled and the two of them walked to the camp.