Karleigh jumped a bit as she walked. No matter what she did she could not fend off the excitement. It was like she was a child again and her father gave her a silver for her birthday to go out and but whatever she wanted. The worries about the blight and saving Arl Eamon were still there, but at the back of her mind. She was heading for Denerim! She had promised Allistair that they would stop by his half sister's home in hopes that he would understand when she asked that they make a stop by the Alienage. Each step she took send dirt flying and raised her spirits higher. She almost didn't notice the shouts from up ahead, her joyous mood making her oblivious A very dangerous thing. Her keen eyes caught sight of something moving towards them. Ioan growled at her side. Karleigh looked back at the others, signaling them to draw their weapons. They continued foreward, Allistar's boots clanked against the ground and made her cringe. Morrigan had a ball of energy crackling in her hand, ready to send it flying in the direction of her victim.
The figure approaching slowly took the form of a woman. As she got even closer the traces of panic on her face were too severe to ignore. Her eyes were large and wild, hair a wreck and clothes ripped and tattered. She fell to her knees before them, looking up with terrified eyes. She reminded Karleigh of a cat staring down a wolf. She waited for the woman to catch her breath.
"Oh," She grapped onto Karleigh's hands and the small blonde resisted the urge to pull back. "Thank the maker! They attacked the wagon; please help us!"
Karleigh paused briefly, looking around ather companions. She knew what their reactions wolud be. Allistair and Leliana were looking at her pleadingly. She bit her bottom lip and turned back towards Morrigan. The wild woman's icy glare spoke of her opinion in volumes. She knew of her feelings towards helping every person who would ask. Morrigan often spoke of how it was a waste of her time and talent, it was better that they keep their minds on the impending doom awaiting. Also known as the blight..and a possible war.
Turnig resolutely back to the frightened woman, she nodded and motioned for her to lead the way to the battle. It was a short distance away, the trail marked with no obstacles Karleigh's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Surely the short distance wouldn't have winded the woman. Her eyes scanned her surroundings for some reason the woman would seem so exhausted. There were no signs of injury on her, the only signs of distress were her messed hair and torn clothes. They stopped in the middle of a small trail between two hills. There were caravans overturned and ruined goods but no bodies. A lump rose in Karleigh's throat.
Her dagger was clutched in her palm and pressed against the woman's throat before she could get a word out. Her eyes buldged, obviously not expecting her to be so fast. A cruel smirk formed over lips. "Do you take me for a fool?" An ambush.
"NOW!" The woman shouted. Her party members were armed and attacking before Karleigh could give an order. Of course Morrigan was ready first. She sent fire balls and energy orbs whizzing through the air and eliminated the archers along the upper hill cliffs. Their arrows flew by, burying themselves in the ground and tree trunks. A large log fell down, nearly crushing her and the woman. They both slammed to the ground, her dagger finding a home in her neck before she snatched it back and stood. Blood covered her armor. Wild blue eyes looked around to see her companions decimating their enemies An archer made eye contact with her, she had no time to avoid the arrow.
She blinked, squeezing her eyes closed. She was not ready to look death in the face.
Just as the archer let the arrow fly, a force hit her, knocking her to the ground. Her wrist landed in an awkward angle and she heard a snap. A muffled whimper was the only sound she made as shocking pain radiated up her arm. Tears squeezed out of her eyes though she had no time to react besides that. Her legs wrapped around her attacker and she managed to flip them so that she was on top. The man writhed under her, her dagger clutched in her hand as she tried to bury it in him. His golden hair covered his face. Finally she managed to get in a stab to his side. He grunted and then brought his head up and clashed it with her own. Stars and bright splotches burst and clouded her vision, sending her sprawled on the ground, gasping in surprise He ripped the dagger from his side and tossed it. Her vision was blurred, though she could see him leering over her. Her mind was clouded, and she briefly thought he looked a bit like an angel. Her bad hand was grappling spasmodically on the ground until she found what she was looking for.
He raised his arm, about to slit her throat. That's when she acted, her wrist protested sharply as she brought the large rock against the assassin's head. There was a crack and blood blossomed in the blond hair and he fell back. Karleigh lay there gasping for a moment before shakily getting to her feet. A man ran at her with a dagger in his hand but was cut down by Allistair before he could even reach her. Morrigan was giggling softly to herself and Leliana whispered prayers for the dead. Karleigh half stumbled over to them, her wrist cradled to her chest. She approached Allistair first to see if he was injured.
"I'm fine. Merely shaken. It's not every day we get ambushed by assasin..oh wait." She smiled kindly at him, in to much discomfort to laugh. A small noise caught her attention and she noticed te chest rising on the man she had been fighting. She had thought for sure he was dead.
"What is it?" Allistair asked. Morrigan and Leliana crowded around her. Ioan was off in the distance, sensing no threat from the incapacitated foe.
"He's not dead." Her voice was confunded as her large blue eyes locked with the other elf. His skin was a smooth caramel color, his eyes moving around behind closed lids. Karleigh's breath escaped her and Morrigan made a rude noise.
"Well just kill him so we may move on." She urged.
"Wait!" Leliana spoke up. "We can find out who sent him."
"Who do you think sent him? Who wants the Wardens dead most? Who really killed the king?" Allister was bitter, with good reason.
Karleigh ignored their squabbling, she was already shaking the man awake. His eyes opened wide in suprise and she backed away quickly, unsure if he had any weapons hid anywhere. The man moaned under his breath, closing his eyes tightly.
"Mmm..." He groaned and one hand flew to clutch at his leather armor. There dark blood covering his hands and she realized it was from the wound she had inflicted. "What..I..oh." He opened his eyes again, staring intesely at her.
"I rather thought I would wake up dead, or not wake up at all as the case may be." He struggled to pull himself up, letting out tense laugh of pain. "But I see you haven't killed me yet."
"I decided I wanted to torture you first." She quipped. Some blood trickled from the laceration on his head and dribbled over his temple, staining his fair hair. She felt a bit queasy and blamed it on her wrenched wrist.
Her eyebrows shot up as he chuckled at her, his voice was hoarse but she could still hear the rich accent. "Oohh, so you kept me around to have a bit of fun did you?Hmm.." His brows creased as though he was deep in thought. Words were murky and muddled in his head, though not so confused whe he opened his mouth. "But the purpose behind torture is usually to interrogate, yes?"
Karleigh blinked in suprise, he wasn't making declarations like "You'll never get it out of me" and such. She was unprepared for his conversational tone.
"In that case, despite the potential for fun, perhaps I'll save you a bit of time and get right to the point." She opened her mouth to cut him off, tell him to go to hell, but he continued.
"My name Is Zevran. Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows, brought here for the sole purpose of slaying any surving Grey Wardens. Which I have failed at, sadly."
Karleigh smiled, Zevran noticed that it did not meet her eyes. "I'm rather happy you failed." He laughed, never having expected her to have a sense of humor.
"So would I be, in your shoes. For me, however, it sets a rather poor precedent, doesn't it? Getting captured by a target seems a tad detrimental to one's assasin career."
She scrunched up her nose as if she was about to sneeze. "What are the Antivan Crows?" He was pale, his complection taking a yellow tint. She could hear his breathing from where she crouched, panting. Leliana took mercy on him and spoke up.
"I can tell you that. They are and order of assassins out of Antiva-"
"Hense the name?" Karleigh asked, earning a reproachful look from th redhead.
"-They are very powerful and reowned for getting the job done...so to speak. Someone went to great expense to hire this man."
"Quite right." He seemed to sit up straighter. "I'm surprised you haven't heard much of the Crows out here. Back where I come from, we are rather infamous."
"That explains the attitude." She grumbled, causing him to chuckle under his breath. "You came all the way to Antiva." She asked. Loghain must really want them dead.
Zevran looked weary. "Not precisely. I was in the neighborhood when the offer came. The Crows get around, you see." Maybe she imagined the bitter amusement in his voice.
"Why are you telling me this?" She asked, drawing away from him slightly. She was crouched in front of him and hated to admit to herself how much a distraction his gaze was.
"Why not?" He coughed, some blood sprayed from his mouth, she cringed. Must have punctured something. He probably had a concussion as well. "I wasn't paid for my silence. Not that I offered it for sale, precisely."
Karleigh was confused, she had always assumed that assassins were loyal to their guild. He was clever and slippery as an eel.
"Aren't you at least loyal to your employers?"
"Loyalty is an interesting concept, if you wish and you are done interrogating me, we could discuss it further. " He looked hopeful, one hand moving towards his dagger. She pressed her own blade to his throat. He froze, eyes struggled to meet her face through a cloud of blood loss and exhaustion.
"I am not done questioning you yet!" She snarled, eyes taking a dangerous glint.
"Very well," The weary tone was back. "Ask and thou shalt receive."
"Who hired you too kill us?"
"A rather taciturn fellow in the capitol. Loghain, I think his name was. Yes, that's it."
"How much?"
His eyes lazily found their way to her face, she could see that they were hazel. Golden brown in the middle with an intriguing outer rim of glimmering green. "Excuse me?"
"How much did he pay you?"
"I wasn't paid anything. The Crows, however, were paid quite handsomely. Or so I understand." He began to slouch forward, but caught himself. Karleigh found her hand pressing him gently against the rock. He tensed, expecting her to be forceful but was surprised at how softly she positioned him.
"Which does make me about as poor as a chantry mouse, come to think of it." He had amusement in his voice, bringing a betraying smile to her face. Something about his voice was pleasant and brought reactions from her that others had to struggle to achieve. Her eyes looked over to the last injury kit that stuck tauntingly out of her back pack. No! He just tried to kill you, you fool! She thought and turned her focus back to him. "Being an Antivan Crow isn't for the ambitious, to be perfectly honest."
"Then why are you one?" She asked. He didn't seem to understand why anyone would want to be in the guild.
"Well, aside from a distinct lack of ambition I suppose its that I was never given much of a choice. The Crows bought me young, I was a bargain too. Or so I was led to believe. " He averted his gaze, she was looking at him stangely and he was not sure how he felt about it.
"But don't let my sad story influence you. The Crows aren't so bad. They keep one well supplied; Wine, Women, Men. Whatever you happen to fancy." His thoughts lingered and then his tone was bitter once more. "Though the whole severance package is garbage, let me tell you, if you were thinking of joining I would really think twice about it."
"Thanks, I'll take that under advisment." She offered him a smile, though she was sure she wouldn't ever want to join The Antivan Crows. His eyelids drooped and she remembered once when Allistair had a concussion, how Wynne would not let him sleep. Her hand gripped the leather armor on his shoulder, shaking him slightly. "Hey, we are not finished yet."
His eyes opened quickly, as though he was unaware that he had been about to fall into unconciousness. "You seem like a bright girl, I'm sure you've other options." She blushed at the compliment and noticed how his voice slurred slightly. She fought hard to not pity him as more questions prodded at her mind.
"Does this mean you are loyal to Loghain?"
Zevran shrugged. "I have no idea what his issues are with you. The usual, I imagine. You threatened his power, yes?" Her eyes narrowed and she did not answer him. "Beyond that, no, I'm not loyal to him. I was contracted for a service, nothing more."
"And now that you've failed that service?" She needed to know if he would continue to try and kill her.
"Well that is between Loghain and the Crows. And the Crows and myself." His tone was defensive, obviously his failing was still a sore spot.
"And between me and you?" She blushed, imagining how that could be taken out of context. He let out an exhausted sigh.
"Isn't that what we're establishing now?" She looked away.
"That's all I wanted to know." She mumbled.
"Then unless you are stuck on cutting my throat or something equally as gruesome, perhaps you would care to hear a proposal?"
She looked incredulous, jaw hanging open. "You tried to kill me!" She shouted.
"Unsucessfully!" He shot back at a nearly matching volume. He then groaned and curled forward, hand going to grip his wound tighter. "Besides," He rasped. "Someone in your positon can't take those thing so personally, can you?" Karleigh sighed and blew a strand of hair away from her face before nodding.
" I'm listening. Make it quick." Allistair gawked at her. Morrigan threw her hands up in exasperation and walked away.
"Well here's the thing. I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. That's how it works. If you don't kill me, the Crows will." When she didn't say anything he continued.
"Thing is, I like living. And you obviously are the sort to give the Crows pause. So let me serve you instead."
"Can I expect the same amount of loyalty from you?" Her voice was flat, though the wheels in her head were turning. She coudn't tell if he was genuine, and could she really risk it?
"I happen to be a very loyal person, up until the point where I am expected to die for failing." He looked earnest and it was causing a war within her.
"That's not really a fault, is it? Unless you are the sort to do the same thing. In which case, I...don't come very well recomended I suppose."
She could taste bile in her mouth at the thought of asking someone to die for her. She didn't want to admit that was what she was doing. It was a responsibility of being a Grey Warden. Especially being one of the last in Ferelden."And what is to stop you from finishing the job later?" She asked.
"To be completely honest I was never given much of a choice regrding joining the Crows." She supposed she could relate. If it had not been the only way to save her life, she supposed she never would have joined either. "They bought me on the slave market as a child." His head rolled back, propped up by his broad shoulders. "I think I have paid back my worth to them, plus tenfold." He reminded her of a wild animal, one moment he was complacent and then his voice would turn angry and so bitter even she could taste it. " The only way out, however, is to sign up with someone they can't touch."
"Why would I want your services?"
His mouth dropped open, as if he couldn't believe that she would ask such a thing. "Why? Because I am skilled at many things. From fighting to stealth and picking locks." So he was a rouge. She spared a glance at Leliana who was attempting to fix her hair after the short battle. Despite her efforts, her and the other rogue had not been able to kindle any kind of relationship with the girl. In fact, she found her slightly irritating. Though she had need of a more skilled rogue than herself. "I could also warn you, should the Antivan Crows try something more..sophisticated, now that I have failed. I could also stand around and look pretty? If you prefer. Warm your bed? Fend off unwanted suitors? No?" Her eyes widened and she looked over at Allistair and their eyes met.
He had started to treat her different since she had spared the Arlessa's life back in Redcliffe. It had been grudgingly, but he still thanked her. She noticed how his eyes lingered on her and wasn't looking forward to explaining how he would always be his closest friend.
"Is this before or after you stab me in the back?" She demanded, her voice was harsh and she almost believed herself to be that fierce, instead of bone weary.
"Tsk, these things you say, they must drive the men back at home wild." She flushed, her eye going to the wedding ring on her finger. It was a reminder of where she came from and what she had been through. Even though it brought more pain than happiness she could not bring herself to throw away the relic. Just as she kept her wedding clothes, now blood stained and ruined.
"So what will it be? I'll even shine armor..you won't find a better deal..I promise." He looked as though he was fighting to keep his eyes open. She had merely seconds to make up her mind. Biting her bottom lip until it bled she turned to Allistair. "Hand me the Injury Kit." She said, her voice holding finality and authority she didn't feel. He did as she said, hopeing she would use it on herself.
Karleigh moved his hands aside, bothered by how cold his fingers were. They were a fitting size for his hands, not over long compared to hers like Neleros' had been. She pressed part of the poultice to the wound, frowning at his groan of pain. He was shivering, and she knew if she had left him then the wound most likely would have killed him. Karleigh nearly jumped out of her skin as his hand gripped her good wrist. She looked at his hazel eyes, small pink tongue darting out to lick at her dry lips. She brought her injured arm up, forcing her fingers gently to curve over his hand for support as he adjusted to the pain of accelerated healing. Once his breathing had returned to normal she pulled her hand away and he allowed her to support his head, allowing the rest of the health potion to trickle into his mouth. He sighed in relief and lagged. "I accept your offer." She muttered, as though it were not already obvious.
Allistair reared back as though she had slapped him. "What?! You're taking the assassin with us? Does that really sound like a good idea?!"
Karleigh smiled and stood, her hand curling against her chest. No one had noticed her injury yet, though she thought that she saw Zevran's eyes narrow as he stood, now fully healed. He was a few inches taller than she was, but only came up to Allistair's shoulder.
"You're here, aren't you?" She made her voice seem light. "Collecting cast-offs is what I do."
Allistair pretended to look hurt. "Ow...maybe true, but ow." He thought on it, she could see the cogs working in his head like a large clock. Finally he sighed, shaking his head. "Oh, whatever. I'm sure you know best." She could tell he was angry with her.
She then turned to Morrigan who had just walked back to where they were, finishing a conversation that she was having with Leliana. "A fine plan." Karleigh beamed, respecting Morrigan's opinion greatly. She looked up to the woman, though she wouldn't admit that to anyone even if her life was at stake..well. "Though I would examine your food and drink far more closely, were I you."
Zevran chuckled, now standing beside her. "That is excellent advice for anyone."
Leliana stepped forward, palms out with a smile across her elegant face. "Welcome Zevran, having an Antivan Crow join us sounds like a fine plan."
He sized the sister up before letting a charming smirk overtake his features. "Oh? You are another companion-to-be, then?" His voice was smooth and seductive. Something growled within Karleigh's chest, obviously jealous. She beat the beast down with a stick, chanting over and over in her head he tried to kill you! "I wasn't aware such loveliness existed among adventurers surely." Her hand went up to tuck a strand of blond hair behind a pointed ear. Who was he? To make her feel so insecure.
She noticed he was looking at her now, raising an eyebrow, he began to talk. "I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you, until such a time you choose to release me from it. I am your man, without reservation...This I swear." There was silence, except for the whistling of autumn breeze in the trees.
"Well now that it is done with, can we move on?" Morrigan's voice rung out, sending birds scattering their perch in trees and flying away.