Stories from the Hold

Story V - Pawn checkmates the King

by

Silver-Eyed Rukia

Rated: T

Summary: A compilation of small One-Shots based on the everyday lives of our favourite Skyhold residents.

This One-Shot: Cullen dares to bet against Sera, firmly believing he'll end up being top-dog.

Pairing: Adaar x Sera

Note: This isn't beta-ed, so please ignore any mistakes. Or point them out and correct me, whatever you prefer.

It was a quiet morning in Skyhold's chantry garden as only a few Mothers were up and about, praying and presenting offerings to the Maker. Some early risers like herbalists and gardeners joined them, silently taking care of the hold's ample supply of herbs and flowers. Some birds that were just passing through on their journey through the south chirruped happily from atop the rooftops, basking the cold morning air in their soothing melody.

The commander of the Inquisition's troops was currently seated opposite of his superior, hands neatly folded as if engrossed in a silent prayer. His sharp eyes were fixed on the table in front of him as he moved another one of his pieces across the board. He allowed himself a smirk as he realized that he had won, again.

"You certainly make up for your lack of skill in Wicked Grace with chess, Cullen", the horned woman murmured and ran a hand over her eyes, body and mind still tired from the all-nighter she and her advisors had pulled. The ex-templar seemed embarrassed for a brief moment, seemingly recalling his rather uncharacteristic behaviour from last time, before returning to his usual collected manner, rearranging the pieces for another game.

"It was you who asked me to teach you this, your Worship."

A deep sigh followed his reply and Adaar wondered why in the heavens she had had the idea to ask him to teach her after having been denied sleep for over 24 hours. She eyed the tiny little pawns as she reached out to make her first move when suddenly, her vision went completely dark.

"Guess-who-it-is!"

"Sera, please", the Vashoth drawled out in a rare moment of outrun patience, leaning back in her chair as the elf planted her behind on the woman's lap, face-splittening grin never leaving her features.

"When did you turn into such a boring tit, teetness. Was just a harmless little prank, lightening the mood. You look like you could use another pick me up than this though." A short laugh followed before Sera planted a kiss on her love's lips. "Catch my drift, yeah?"

"Excuse me, Sera", a voice behind her exclaimed, successfully turning her attention towards the now not as amused looking Cullen who was still seated at the same table as the pair. "We were in the middle of something."

Grayish-blue eyes roamed over the checkered board before letting out of "Pfft!", rolling her eyes and jumping off the redhead's lap. "Oh pa-lease. Solving a puzzle is harder than that. Don't tell me you actually get your strategies from this stuff? Piss, surprised we ain't dead yet."

"Sera, maybe you shouldn't-", Adaar started but was interrupted by the screeching of wood against stone as Cullen stood so quickly that his seat skittered over the floor, nearly knocking it over in the process. His amber eyes were burning as he fixed them on the rogue, silently challenging her to prove him wrong.

"I haven't seen you contribute anything productive unless you count in throwing valuable resources in the form of food at people", the warrior somewhat angrily said, making the elf turn around with a raised eyebrow.

"What? Want me to bet against you? Show you that the dense little dumb elf from the shitty alienage isn't too daft to play a game based on strategy? Oh you're on."

Adaar was rendered speechless as she got pulled off her seat by the much smaller thief, watching in awe as her Sera willingly agreed to play a game that didn't include winning money or drinks or the promise of quality time with the Inquisitor in her spare time. She blinked, blaming the sight in front of her on her lack of sleep and excused herself from the scene, heading for her chambers.

"I've played this game since I was a small boy, thief", she heard the commander throw into the conversation before the game began. The elf's reply followed suit and was the last thing the Vashoth heard before she exited the gardens.

"And I've survived off my wits my entire life, pretty boy."

The sun was already starting to set when Adaar awoke from her nap, the still bright rays illuminating the hold in it's bright orange glow. She lay still for a few more minutes, just enjoying the silence that was surprisingly rare around these parts of-

"Oh my god you have to see this!"

Adaar nearly fell out of bed as the blonde elf slammed the door open and climbed the stairs faster than the person still in bed could pull the covers up to hide herself.

"Nevermind, I have to see this", Sera smirked and let her eyes wander over the muscled form of her lover as the redhead sighed and climbed out of bed, putting on her usual attire. She turned around when lean but strong arms wrapped around her waist, the owner pushing herself against the taller woman and leaning closer to steal a kiss from her scarred lips.

They didn't part for a good minute but when they did, it left both of them smiling and smirking respectively.

"Damn you're good. You nearly made me forget why I even came in here." Sera wordlessly pulled her significant other over to the balcony, pointing a finger into the direction of someone standing atop the hold's walls, scrubbing them with a brush barely the size of his hand and wearing...

"Don't tell me that is-"

"You bet it is."

The man, his golden mane unmistakenly marking him as the Inquisition's commander, was currently scrubbing the wall connecting the mage's tower to the main building with a clothing-brush, clad in nothing but his birthday suit.

"Stop the world, I want to get off."

Merry laughter followed Adaar's statement and the elf clung to her like a drowning dog, body shaking with bouts of mirth at the sight.

"He, ohmygodIcan't, he seriously bet against me. Bet! Against me!" More laughter, followed by tears streaming down her face before she calmed down enough to continue. "Didn't think his noble arse could be beat by a snotty little elfy-elf. Well guess what you daft tit", Sera exclaimed, now yelling at this point, "Pawn checkmates the king!"

"I honestly don't know what to say, Sera."

The archer smirked, the amusement and her previous outburst still evident in every corner of her face, as she started pulling the Inquisitor back to the bed that was still messed up from her earlier nap.

"Purring is all you gotta do, luv. I won the bet, I'll claim my prize."

Author's Note: In German (and UK English, which we learn in English in Germany) we use the comma after the direct speech, like this: "Bla bla", [subject name here] said. So please bear with it, it's too much work to go back and change it every time since it's how I learned it. I am aware that this is different in American. Thank you for your attention and understanding.

Just some lighthearted Sera fun. And for anyone doubting that she could beat Cullen: she values the pawns, guess what you have most of in chess? ;)

Phrase of the Day

Yes I'll be your girl, forever your lady, you ain't gotta worry, I'm down for you baby

"Hey mama" by David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj

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