amellsinferno | In Another World | locked to apostate

Anders laughs and nods, moving to kiss her cheek again, acting very oddly affectionate.

"How did you know? You'd better plan on keeping that robe for a while, Sol."

Nellie goes red and rolls her eyes at the antics of Solona and Anders, instead choosing to squeeze Cullen's hand, giving him a small smile.

"Are you okay, love?"

"Not at all," Cullen says truthfully, the nausea resurfacing. But Nellie's hand is reassuring and he squeezes back and all he wants to do is hug her but his armor would be in the way and-- Oh, Maker, this plan wouldn't work at all, would it? "I'm willing to try it, yes. We've come this far and backing out would be quite idiotic at this point."

Solona rolls her eyes at Anders. "I'll make sure to save some space in my pack just for it." But now was time to move. "Are we all ready to head out?"

Nellie's nervous as well. Maker, she's completely terrified about this, and what could happen if this fails...but she's keeping a strong face. She stands on her toes and kisses Cullen's cheek quickly.

"It'l be okay, love. I promise it'll be okay. Anders knows what he's doing...and once we're out, you'll feel better. I promise."

Anders mimics a gagging motion behind them, before responding to Solona.

"Let's go. Come on, I've got an escape tunnel here in the Tower."

Solona snorts and moves to Anders just to mimic Nellie. Honestly, she was scared shitless as well but better to act calm than a nervous wreck.

Cullen on the other hand is blushing. His face is as red as Solona's hair, which was saying something. He mumbles something apologetically and looks away quickly.

Solona smirks again, taking her pack and adjusting it on her back. "Well then, let's get a move on."

Nellie squeezes his hand again, trying to reassure him. She makes sure to give her sister a good glare afterwards. She saw that, Sol.

"Lead the way, Anders."

Anders nods and motions for them to follow him. Nellie grabs her pack of things and follows Anders and her sister, not letting go of Cullen's hand.

Solona follows him. Cullen lingers behind Nellie, keeping watch behind them. Maker, if anyone saw them now...

"Love, you might need to let go of my hand for a while..." Cullen whispers to Nellie. "A Templar holding a Sister's hand is a bit alarming to most."

"Ah, sorry!!" Nellie lets go of Cullen's hand, giving him a sheepish smile.

Anders rolls his eyes in front of them. Everything is going well so far...they manage to make it to his exit tunnel without any trouble, and he leads them in without trouble.

Solona thinks that it was too easy. "Anders, do your plans usually go this smoothly?"

Cullen wonders the same thing.

"No, they don't usually go this well..."

Anders frowns. This was too easy. There are usually more templars...

Nellie looks at him nervously.

"Do you have another exit out? Just in case, I mean..."

She's just got this awful feeling...

"Cullen, you aren't planning anything, are you?" Solona looks at him skeptically. Cullen frowns and shakes his head. He wanted out with Nellie. Besides, what could he possibly gain by selling them out?

"There may be a loop hole in your escape plan, Anders," Cullen scowls.

Nellie smacks Solona in the arm, giving her a look.

"Cullen wouldn't do that, Sol..."

Anders raises and eyebrow and turns to look at Cullen, skeptical.

"Oh? Explain."

Solona grimaces at Nellie. She didn't mean to offend her.

But she notices that Cullen's looking at something, scowling. The templar points, extending an arm to inconspicuously direct them inside one of the rooms. "Footsteps," he says in a hushed tone.

And voices too. Of the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander somewhere down the halls, arguing.

Nellie's eyes widen. The Knight-Commander and Irving were both out? Part of her is curious to hear what they're arguing about...and the other part just wants to get out of there, now.

But they're well hidden, and Anders gives Cullen a nod. He probably just saved their skin.

Cullen nods back at Anders in reply. He still disliked the bastard, but at least they established that level of respect. He looks out the door, making sure the coast is clear. The footsteps and voices fade away and then there's silence again.

Solona was holding her breath. That was too close a call.

"I think it's safe to continue now," Cullen says, opening the door wider for the three of them to exit, looking back and forth the hallways just to make sure.

Anders nods quietly, looking out of the door, double checking to make sure they're alone. It appears that Irving and Gregoir were the only ones out, and they've already past them...

"Let's move...try to be quick about it, okay? That was too close."

"Agreed," Cullen says, ushering Nellie out and then Solona.

Solona quickly takes the lead down the hall not wanting to linger any longer. "Come on, Anders! Where is it?"

"Patience, patience...! Here we are."

The secret exit isn't too far down the hall...in fact, it's hidden behind a bookcase and several loose bricks in the library.

"Here."

Cullen gazes at Anders skeptically.

"It's a wall, Anders."

"Yes, it is."

He grins, before releasing some mana on the bricks in the wall...and things change. The loose bricks move away, leaving a very nice opening leading to a tunnel.

"Took me forever to make this."

Rage boils within Cullen. After all these years searching for those secret escape routes and it's just hidden behind a few bricks and a bookshelf? It takes all his willpower to just avoid hitting the blasted mage.

Solona however looks extremely impressed. "Maker's breath, you came up with that all on your own?"

It's always in the one place you never think to look, isn't it, Cullen? Nellie sees that look on his face and she takes his hand, squeezing it.

Anders smiles proudly.

"Well, not all on my own. I think somebody started it here and just abandoned it...I finished it up."

"Well, you finished it up well," Solona grins and stands on her tip toes to kiss Anders' cheek. This was just getting so much more exciting. "What are we waiting for?" she says before entering the tunnel.

Cullen squeezes Nellie's hand back. The only thing keeping him from ripping Anders' head off honestly. He waits for Nellie to climb into the tunnel before climbing in himself.

Nellie gives Cullen a reassuring look before climbing into the tunnel. After Cullen is in, Anders seals it up again.

"Its awful dark in here, Anders...how do you see in here?"

Anders smirks and conjures a small flame.

"Like this."

"And how long does this tunnel go exactly?" Solona mutters. She wasn't really an avid fan of the dark. She hovers close to Anders.

Cullen takes Nellie's hand. No one would see them here and his heart was beating so fast that he absolutely needed her at that point.

"Don't worry, it's not as long as it feels...I promise."

He knows that Solona has issues with the dark, and with his free hand, he takes hers.

Nellie is squeezing tightly on Cullen's hand, grateful that it's dark so nobody can see how nervous she is.

In Another World | locked to apostate_amell

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