Title: Epithymy

Fandom: Dragon Age

Characters/Pairings: Calpernia, Samson, Livius Erimond; Sampernia

Rating: M

Warnings: slavery mention; references to past abuse; this is a thing from the kink meme, so it's rated for a reason?

Summary: Calpernia is the kind of woman who could crush a man's skull under her shoe, after summoning flames to burn him alive. Samson is intrigued.

Disclaimer: Dragon Age is not mine, although the writing certainly is.

A/N: based on this prompt from DA kink meme: "Somebody insults Calpernia, can be because of her look of a fact she is ex-slave, you have many things to point out, when you want to insult not a very pretty woman in a charge. Samson witnesses it and wants to stand up for her, because it's a girl, right, a man should not be so rude on girls, but before he has a chance Calpernia burn shit out of her insulters while having an epic speech about their lowness. It left Samson genuinely impressed. He tries to woo her after that." (Not sure if it meets specifications but I tried :') and yes, I'm kink meme trash, I'm sorry...)

I wrote this before Paying the Ferryman was published; I made one minor edit, so this version is slightly different than the one on the kink meme. I wanted to write something differently, idk if I succeeded or not, anyway this fic is completely unrelated to any other of my fics I've written with these two nerds.

Also, this was the first k– meme prompt that caught my attention, though my initial thought was, nah I could never write this, so I chose to write a fill for a different one instead. And yet here we are.

epithymy – desire, lust

The Venatori, Samson thought, were odd, not only because most of them were mages. They were Tevinter mages, which meant they used blood magic without feeling any sort of remorse. He, a former templar, should hate all of them equally. He felt rather indifferent, instead, although he had to notice who was leading them, especially in situations like this one, because Calpernia was a person who could not be ignored.

Since both the Venatori and the Red Templars were working for the Elder One, it meant they sometimes had to share quarters. And there were times when members of the other group could witness situations that were… interesting to observe. Such as the one he was observing now.

Mages gathered in the great hall to have a dispute or whatever, Samson didn't care at first when they were all talking like civilized people. Then it escalated into something that could end badly. Anger was a good fuel for magic, but not in a place like this, with other Red Templars present. In the centre of this argument Samson recognized Calpernia and Ermiond, and they both looked like they wanted to see the other burn or bleed.

"Grey Wardens should be our priority," Erimond pointed out. "I demand we send more men– "

"You demand?" Calpernia interrupted him, raising her voice. Even Samson, sitting on the other side of the room, could see the ugly frown on her face. "We are sending as many men as the Elder One commands. It is because of your incompetence that we are losing them, magister Erimond!"

In her lips 'magister' sounded like an insult, and Samson was perfectly sure he wasn't the only one who noticed that. Ermiond heard that, too, his lips twisted, fists shaking. It was a clear sign the man was very close to casting a spell, it was something mages always did if pushed. Years of templar training taught Samson many things. He noticed he wasn't the only one observing the mages, as the rest of his soldiers were now silent, their attention focused on the argument.

"I believe you misunderstood my intentions, Lady Calpernia," Erimond barked, his voice dripping with venom. "You accuse me of incompetence, yet I do not feel the need to prove myself and my skills, because people in the Imperium know my family has always been one of the most respected ones in all Tevinter. I do not need to prove I'm worthy serving the Elder One, because I know I am. Unlike some slave girl who has lived this long because her former master was a fool." His expression changed, openly hostile, his eyes glowing with rage.

"He showed you mercy, treating you like you were something more than a thing he bought. Because he didn't know that slaves who show talent in magic should be killed, so they would never think they are true mages, not filthy incaensor."

Oh. Samson saw Calpernia's lips twitch, and she blushed slightly but noticeably. Of course he was aware that supposedly she used to be a slave in Tevinter, though it seemed impossible to anyone who knew the Venatori's leader. He also heard she was actively fighting against the traditions of her homeland, freeing slaves whenever she could. To use her past against her… Dick move, Erimond. Should he… say anything? It wasn't his problem, and Calpernia might be a powerful mage, but she was still a woman, although he kind of never noticed that before. Besides, it was simply wrong when scum like Erimond disrespected a lady.

He heard one of the templars cursing and someone else telling them to shut up. Of course everyone was listening, perhaps that was why Erimond wasn't speaking in Tevene. He wanted everyone to realize there was a former slave leading the Venatori. And that, according to a magister, was not right. Tension in the air was palpable. Angry mages were dangerous mages. Samson left his sword in his room, but touched the knife strapped to his leg, ready to use it if needed.

But, to his surprise, Calpernia remained relatively calm. Her initial shock was replaced by controlled anger, focused on Erimond who visibly flinched when she looked at him like he was something that she wished she could smash under her boot.

"You speak of my worth as if you were the one who could judge it. The Elder One came to me, I take great pride in serving him, and I shall be the one who becomes the Vessel," her voice was strong and clear, and Samson vaguely wondered if he ever was so attracted to a woman's voice, as odd as this thought was. He should be at least mildly offended that Calpernia was so sure Corypheus would choose her, but he had other things on his mind right now.

"I don't want to be better than you, I know I'm better than your whole rotten family, because my position and title weren't just given to me. I had to fight with my own two hands to get where I am. All Tevinter may not know me yet, but they will, when I shall stand by the Elder One's side as his champion. And if the thought of following a former slave is so agonizing to you, magister Erimond, then I suggest you speak to Corypheus personally, and express your disappointment. I am sure the god we all serve will have something to say on this matter."

Stunned silence followed her words. Some of the mages were looking at her with so much awe they might as well start worshipping her instead of Andraste.

Erimond opened and closed his lips, clearly struggling for words. Calpernia's iron gaze nearly crushed him, and when he finally came to his senses, his whole face turned red. He gritted his teeth and spun around, promptly leaving the hall. He didn't say a word; he needn't make a fool of himself any further. Samson quickly scanned the gathering, noticing there were some people who looked slightly uneasy, outraged even, clearly not happy with the outcome of this confrontation. Every powerful figure had enemies, and Calpernia wasn't an exception. In the sea of people who adored her, there were few figures who wished to see her fall, though Samson was sure she was smart enough to keep an eye on them and get rid of any opponents if needed. Erimond was an idiot if he thought he could win with this woman. And Samson had to tell himself he was a fool, too; he wanted to defend Calpernia while she didn't need him at all.

It was the moment when he understood perfectly why the Venatori follow her. Seeing Calpernia standing proud, head high, showing so much confidence and power, he couldn't help but feel intrigued. He never really considered her as... well, she certainly wasn't the prettiest girl in the world, with her pale skin, big teeth, flat chest and snarky personality, showing everyone she considered herself better than him.

Now Samson knew she truly was better than him. And she certainly didn't need his protection.

Maybe it's a powerful woman thing, he mused as something inside him stirred impatiently, urging him to consider many silly thoughts. He should be outraged by the very idea of seeing Calpernia as someone else than his potential rival and the Elder One's general, but suddenly she seemed to be more than that. Or maybe it was just that he never really noticed Calpernia was indeed a woman. Now he saw it too well, it felt like a discovery of the century, and he had to ask himself if he was suffering from temporary blindness up to this point.

Yes, Calpernia was a woman. Not the girly kind who screamed when she saw a mouse. And not the kind who let her husband beat her when he wasn't pleased.

No, she was the kind of woman who could crush a man's skull under her shoe, after summoning flames to burn him alive. And Samson could only curse his own stupidity as he felt attraction blooming in his mind. He was sure he may have a death wish, and that it could only end poorly for him.

It didn't mean he wouldn't try.