#colemace

Title: Compassion for an Assassin Chapters: 7/15 Words: 24,133 Ship: Female Cadash/Cole Rating: E Additional Tags:

Summary

When Bea Cadash meets Cole in the aftermath of Haven, she doesn’t trust him. It’s not his fault, really, she doesn’t trust anyone. All the world has ever done, after all, is let her and her sister down. But the world is changing, and Bea has a chance to become more than just the Dasher’s assassin. She’s got the chance to take charge of her own destiny and become whatever she chooses. So is Bea Cadash going to be a Carta Queen soaked in blood… or something a bit more compassionate? Smut chapters marked with *

Chapter Summary: Bea teaches Cole the Nug Hop before they learn terrible news.

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Bea likes the Herald’s Rest.

It’s too clean, of course. And the company is devastatingly respectable. But, all in all, it’s probably her favorite part of Skyhold. It’s certainly the only place where life seems to continue unimpeded in spite of the war, the red lyrium, and the evil world-destroying dead Magister.

And the view is very nice. Especially as Lace Harding stretches up on her tiptoes to hang her newest flyer, wiggling in place and drawing eyes to one of the Inquisition’s finest assets.

She’s not the only one staring. Beside her, Krem freezes completely, mug halfway to his mouth, eyes glued to the dwarf in front of them. Bea snorts, breaking the moment. Krem tries to cover the red blush in his face, but fails miserably.

“You ever think about saying something instead of staring?” Bea asks with wicked delight. “She may be into humans.”

“Shut up, Cadash.”

Like Bea has ever shut up in her life. She certainly doesn’t intend to start now.

“Harding!” she shouts, kicking her boots up onto the table and smirking as the scout turns to look at them. “Krem wants to know what you’re up to now.”

Krem almost chokes on his ale. While he’s sputtering, Harding crosses the tavern with a big grin stretching freckled cheeks.

“Dancing lessons!” She claps her hands together in abject glee. “You gonna sign up?”

Bea had expected lots of things. Dancing lessons weren't one of them.

“You want to teach the Inquisition how to dance?” she repeats dubiously. Harding nods.

“After Halamshiral everyone wanted to learn. I thought I’d help them out.”

“You do realize they’re all taller than you, Harding. How are you gonna teach Bull to waltz?”