[ SHIELD ]: sender uses their own body to shield the receiver from an attack. // Culldelia
Shining Armour Prompts @totenstadt
Cullen knew one day he'd have to come face to face with Samson. He should have been leading their soldiers as they continued the assault on the hidden temple in the Emerald Graves but the moment he'd spotted that distinctive red lyrium armour, he hadn't thought about it, he simply charged ahead after Adelia and her small party.
The look that crossed Samson's face when his gaze slid from Adelia to him shadowing her made Cullen's blood boil. A knowing smirk. As if he expected that Cullen would come charging after him like a mabari hound on a scent. He couldn't even deny it because he was indeed standing there with his grip on his sword so tight he could feel the leather of his gloves straining over his knuckles.
Samson wouldn't make it easy and he didn't.
His job was to keep himself between Samson and Adelia. Samson had all the powers of a Templar plus whatever unstable abilities red lyrium granted. Adelia needed to be able to cast and each bolt of electricity that passed just a bit too close made the hairs on his body stand up. He refused to back down. Refused to give Samson an inch of ground. All that mattered was keeping him away from Adelia so she could use the full devastating force of her magic.
But then a powerful blow from Samson knocked his shield out of his hand to clatter across the broken pavement. He only barely managed to evade the tip of Samson's blade shaving off the end of his nose in the bargain. He stumbled a few steps backwards, his guard broken. His shield was too far away to make a break for, not without exposing his back and that was the first rule they learned in combat training: never ever show your back to an enemy unless you know for certain they are dead.
In the next moment Samson charged and to his horror Adelia came in from his left to put herself between them.
"Adelia!" Not Inquisitor. He screamed her name as he watched Samson's blade raise in what felt like slow motion. His own safety forgotten he reached out to pull her back and away.
But then Samson was blasted backwards so hard that even Cullen heard the sickening crack as his head hit stone. He lay slumped on the ground seemingly lifeless but Cullen couldn't care less about him. His only concern was Adelia.
He rushed forwards, his sword clattering forgotten behind him. A firm grip on her shoulder spun her around so he could see her properly. He mentally catalogued every scrape and speck of dirt on her desperately hoping he wouldn't find a more serious wound. He'd never live with himself if she got hurt in his place. If it was because of him she was bedridden or worse. Both his hands came up to frame her face and he couldn't care less who saw him. He had to be sure.