Dragon Age: Love and Legacy
Chapter 1: The Road to Kirkwall
"State your business Warden, why are you heading for Kirkwall?"
The young man removed the hood of his travelling cloak; it revealed a handsome face, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Carver's mother had referred to them as Amell eyes, saying it was typical of children in their family to possess such features. He was a bit of an oddity in his family for that reason, both his elder brother and his twin sister had been born with their father's eyes.
Carver was, of course, the exception to that rule. He had also been born without magic, which was another oddity in his family, both Garrett and Bethany had inherited magical talent from their late Father, only Carver had been born without it, he could sense magic, but that was it.
Not that the Templars would learn about that from him however, his family being mages that is. He was loyal to them, and would never sell them out, not even if it meant having to fight these fools.
The others would not like that, but it was still an option, though not a very practical one.
Carver was tempted to tell the Templar off, to remind him that warden business was none of his. However, he was not on warden business today, in fact, he was on leave for the next two months.
"I'm on personal business," he informed the Templar, "My Mother lives in Kirkwall, and I'm on my way to visit her."
The Templar officer nodded, Knight-Commander Meredith did not want Grey Wardens in her city, he knew that, and that was the reason that this patrol had been establish between Kirkwall and Ansburg to insure that no wardens arrived unannounced. The twelve Templars had stopped the warden and his companion, had they been on their way to recruit, or attempt to establish a garrison in the city of chains, the Templars were under orders to turn them back. Of course it was clear that the young warden was not planning on doing either of the things that Meredith had warned him about. Surely a young man visiting his mother could not be seen as a threat?
Of course that still left the warden's companion.
"And what of you," the Templar asked her, "What brings you into Kirkwall."
The other warden removed her hood, revealing the face of a beautiful blonde woman with a tattooed chin. She had foxlike features and icy blue eyes, eyes that now bore into the Templars who dared stop them. She flashed the knight a feral smile, the look was that of a predator on the hunt.
And the Templars just might become the prey, if they were not careful.
"I ask you ser knight," she purred dangerously, "For what reason would a woman be going with a young man to meet his mother? Given the history of your order, I understand if you cannot imagine why."
Carver did his best to suppress a smile, Arika was not the most civil, but if the Templars decided to test her, they would discover just how dangerous she could be.
And, make no mistake, she was dangerous. Arika was not just a grey warden, but a Reaver from the mountains of Nevarra. Pain meant nothing to her, she frenzied the more she bled, and could kill with a look. She was one of the fiercest warriors Carver had ever seen, and now…she was all his.
Few would believe that a reaver could fall in love, but Arika had. To others she was as cold and as dangerous as any sword, but to him she was a warm and yielding maiden.
Carver was not sure when exactly he had started falling for her, but he had, and she apparently had with him as well.
He thanked the Maker for that.
"I serve the Maker woman," the Templar growled, "You will speak with respect!"
"Respect is earned," the reaver purred, her hand drifting to her sword, "Perhaps I should teach you some."
Carver put a hand on her shoulder, "No," he said to her, "Kirkwall is a Templar city, we must honor their rules in the interest of peace."
Arika continued to glare at the man, but relaxed.
The Templar seemed taken aback by her threat, or perhaps he was just intimidated. Maker knew, Arika intimidated Carver sometimes, and he shared a bed with her.
The Templar turned to Carver, he gave the young wardens a cold look.
"Finish your business quickly and be gone warden, the Knight-Commander will not permit your presence long."
The Templars rode away, leaving the two lovers alone.
Arika rolled her eyes, "Templars," she spat, she turned to her lover her eyes cold, "You did not have to step in to defend me Charity."
The use of his old nickname, Carver shook his head, Arika only used it when she was either pissed with him, or something that he had done.
"I wasn't protecting you," he said with a hint of a smile, "I was protecting them. You could have likely killed them all, and the order doesn't need that kind of attention."
The reaver considered what he said, finally she nodded.
"We should move on," she suggested, "I don't think we shall be able to make the city by nightfall."
He nodded, it was indeed time to move on.
They rode in a comfortable silence, Carver occasionally shooting glances at the proud beautiful woman that had come to share his heart and his bed.
He would be lying if he said he did not feel protective of her, even though he knew that she could take care of herself.
"I don't understand Templars," she said, "I mean, why would you wish to swear an oath to some lowland god that expected you to spend the rest of your life fighting mages?"
Carver smirked, Arika had such an interesting way of looking at the world around her.
"I think I can see the appeal," he shrugged, "I considered joining the order myself once."
She shot him a surprised look.
"I had it all planned out," he said, "If my brother had chosen to leave me out of our deep roads expedition, I was prepared to walk right into the gallows and enlist the very next day."
"I do not think you would have made a good Templar my lord," she said thoughtfully.
Why is that?" he asked, the old insecurities starting to rise.
"Make no mistake you could have handled the physical requirements," she said warmly, trying to sooth the bruises to his ego, "but you are not a man of great faith, you are a warrior, and then there are the vows you would have been expected to take. Vows of poverty…" Arika smiled at the next thought, "And chastity."
Carver blushed slightly.
"Taking such vows would have been a waste of a perfectly strong warrior," she said giving him a sexy smile, "I would hate to think that your more…intimate talents would be so wasted."
Carver could not stop from blushing now, but at the same time, he felt a stirring for this woman. They had not been intimate in a while, they restrained themselves while on duty, and at least one of them had been needed to stay on watch as they travelled down this dangerous road.
"I spoke with Stroud," she said changing the subject, "There is an inn not far from Kirkwall, if we ride hard we should be able to make it before nightfall, a chance to rest, good food, a hot bath, and, best of all, a warm…soft…bed."
HE could definitely see the appeal, especially since he would have a warm soft girl to share that warm soft bed.
"Of course there may be a problem," the reaver shrugged.
"And what is that?" he replied.
"We only have enough coin for a single room," she said innocently, "I suppose we will have to share a bed."
Carver grinned.
"It will be a sacrifice my dear," he admitted, "But we must both try and be brave."
The reaver licked her lips expectedly. It was going to be a very, very long distracting ride to the inn.
But it would be definitely worth the wait.
IOI
The two wardens arrived at the inn without further problems. They paid for a single night, with meals and a chance to bathe. They said very little to each other during the meal, their hands occasionally touching as they brushed against each other.
Carver could not ignore the excitement building within him. He wanted this woman, he wanted her so very much!
Once dinner was done, the two went upstairs to their room. Arika went in first, and he closed the door behind them.
Once it was lock she spun him around to face her, she kissed him fiercely.
All conscious thought vanished in the heat of that kiss, he grouped hungrily at her.
She pulled away, grinning and panting.
"Take those off and come to bed," she said in a husky voice, "I will join you shortly."
Carver nodded removing first his armor and weapons, and then his shirt and trousers. Arika pretended not to be interested as she undressed as well. Carver was not as coy as she. He loved watching her, the tanned firm body, and the tattoo on her back that took nothing away from the sense of feminine perfection that stood before him.
He could not wait any more.
He threw her onto the bed, she gasped excitedly, as he pinned her underneath him.
They kissed deeply; the reaver began to moan softly.
Maker save him, Carve thought, he was so hot!
He wanted to share that heat with her.
The two melted against each other, both hungry after denying themselves for so many days.
"Carver," she groaned, "Ooh…Carver…YES!"
He was just starting to lose himself…
That is when Carver sensed it.
He paused, his eyes going grim.
"Did you feel that?" he said coldly.
"I'm starting to," she smiled fiercely.
Despite the possible danger, he could not help but chuckle.
"No love, not that," he said trying not to smirk, "that…reach out with your warden senses, and tell me what you feel."
Arika paused, she tilted her head slightly. When she opened her eyes again they were cold, the playful girl faded as the warden took over.
They scrambled off of the bed, Carver pulled up his trousers while Arika pulled on her shift, they both scooped up their weapons.
Someone in this inn was tainted, they could feel it, and that someone was drawing closer!
Neither was dressed for battle, but their duty was clear.
They were still Grey Wardens after all.
The taint grew stronger, Carver stood back to cover her, while Arika went for the door.
They heard a groan outside and then, the sound of an armored body falling.
Their danger sense cooled almost immediately.
Carver nodded to Arika, whatever had happened; they needed to find out. She held her sword, a well-crafted Tevinter Imperial edge at the ready.
The reaver opened the door.
The hall was dark, only a few flickering lanterns illuminated the shadows.
A lone figure lay dead before their room, from the shape of the body, Arika could tell it had been a dwarf. A slim throwing knife was sticking out of the back of his neck.
"Hello," a soft voice emerged from the shadows.
Arika raised her blade, "Come out where I can see you!" the reaver spat.
The dwarf's killer complied.
The figure was clad in leather armor with a black hooded cloak, a quiver of arrows and a longbow graced her back. The woman removed her hood revealing the face of a beautiful elven woman with dark hair and copper colored eyes.
"Good evening Arika," the elf said in her usual soft spoken way, "Sorry to interrupt."
The reaver lowered her blade, even if she had not known the elf she would have sensed the taint within her.
She was a fellow warden, and a friend.
"Evening Lin," Arika said with a nod, she looked over her shoulder, "it is Lin Carver," she informed her lover."
Carver relaxed.
Lindariel, also known as Lin to her friends, was a member of their scouting group. Carver and Arika had both had a hand in her training, and had stood with her at her joining. The archer was both a friend and comrade to them both.
Of course that did not explain what she was doing here.
Carver approached, he looked down at the dead dwarf on the floor.
"Who is your friend?" he asked her.
"A carta dwarf," she replied, "a group of them attacked our fortress at Ansburg. I was hoping to catch up with you before one of them did," the elf glared down at the body, "I was almost too late."
"Have we been recalled?" Arika asked.
"No," Lin said, "Stroud wants you both in Kirkwall."
"Do we know what these dwarves are after?" Carver asked.
"Yes," the elf nodded she gave him an arched look, "They are apparently after you Carver."
"Me?" Carver could not disguise the surprise in his voice.
"And before you ask we do not know why, not yet anyway," Lin informed him.
Arika snorted at the dead dwarf.
"It seems that we should not go to your family Carver, we might draw them down on them."
"That is not an option," Lin sighed, "The letter we found in Ansburg suggests they want your family as well."
Carver's eyes narrowed.
What had Garrett gone and done now! It must have been big for the Carta to risk coming for him at the warden base in Ansburg. Carver was not really worried about Garrett, his apostate brother could take care of himself, but…but Mother.
Mother would be defenseless.
Carver had no desire to see her in that state again.
He would not lose her, not the way they had lost Bethany.
"If we left now we could be in Kirkwall by tomorrow at noon."
"Unadvisable," Lin warned, "I rode hard to catch up with you, I'm tired, and you will be no good to anyone if you arrive too exhausted to fight."
Carver started to protest, this was his family they were talking about.
"Lin is right love," Arika said touching his back softly, "We should rest, start out before dawn."
He looked into his lover's blue eyes, she understood his pain, she had lost her family during an attack as well.
He would just have to trust Garrett to watch over mother until they arrived.
His brother was not defenseless after all, he was a powerful mage, and he had the rest of their friends to back him up.
Carver sighed; he had no choice it seemed.
"You should get some rest as well," he told Lin, "We will likely need your bow tomorrow."
"I shall," she promised him; the owner's bouncers have been warned about possible trouble, they will see us warned if any arises."
The elf gestured, two large human men scooped up the dead Carta dwarf's body. Lin advised them to be careful, his blood was tainted, and they did not want to get any on themselves.
Carver sighed, he felt weary, the carta was after them now, was it something the wardens had done, or something that Garrett had done in Kirkwall.
The young warrior suspected the latter; Garrett Hawke was always getting into trouble.
He gave Arika a sad look, so much for their nice romantic evening.
She pulled him into her arms and kissed him deeply.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"Fear not," she said warmly, "We will protect your family, and then punish these bastards for interrupting us."
Carver smiled, his Arika definitely had an interesting view on things.
She led him back to their bed; they would not be intimate tonight.
Both wardens were annoyed by that, the Carta would answer for this tomorrow.
They needed there rest.
They would have to ride hard tomorrow.
They had to go and help Carver's family.