Authors note chapters updated for grammar and dialog errors.


Dear Diary,

Today was an eventful day. We were headed to Redcliff Castle and came upon a traveler begging for help. It seemed that bandits had accosted them. I sighed to myself, when she came up blubbering and found myself being dragged willy nilly by the hand to the site. I didn't particularly want to help or bring attention to myself as Loghain had put a bounty on all Grey Wardens. Alistair just snickered a bit under his breath, and followed.

Morrigan sneered, "If this woman can't protect herself she has no business traveling."

Leliana held her retort and just simply says, "We have to help them."

Suddenly the blubbering wretch drops my hand and runs into the circle of wagons. I hear something crack and tree is falling towards our group. The four of us scatter to dodge the falling tree and regroup to assess our attackers. The "traveler" was actually smirking at our stupidity as she worked her way to the back of the group of "bandits" and grabbed weapons.

We killed all of them except the leader. I dropped that little blond charlatan myself. I have to say, I did take a great satisfaction in that one. The leader of the group was tied up and while we waited for him to regain consciousness. I assessed the assassin while I waited. A handsome elf, with striking tattoos, he is quite muscled but lithe. I've never seen him before in my life and, I wonder who this person is and why the hell he is trying to kill me.

I remember his words, "The warden dies here!"

Finally, he wakes up so we can interrogate him and, wow, what a blabbermouth and charmer at the same time (if that is even possible).

He is rather glib as he wakes and says, "I thought I would wake up dead or rather not wake up all as the case may be."

"That could be easily rectified," I retort quickly.

"Of that I have no doubt, you are quite skilled," he states.

"Since I am not dead, I assume you have questions? Let me save you some time then. My name is Zevran (Zev to my friends). I am a member of the Antivan Crows brought here for the sole purpose of killing any surviving Grey Wardens, which I have failed at, sadly."

"I am rather happy you failed," Alistair counters smiling.

"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 bit detrimental to one's budding assassin career," Zevran counters casually.

"Too bad for you," I reply smugly.

"Yes, it's true too bad for me," Zevran replies lightly.

"What are the Antivan Crows?" asks Alistair.

"I can answer that," Leliana replies, walking over to Alistair." They are an order of assassins out of Antiva. Very powerful and renown for always getting the job done…so to speak. Someone went to great expense to hire this man."

"Quite right, I'm surprised you never heard of the crows out here. Back where I come from we are rather infamous," Zevran points out.

"Not for being good assassins," I joke. Alistair snickers behind me.

"Oh fine, is that what you Fereldans do? Mock your prisoners? Ha...Such cruelty," says Zevran mock pouting.

"Does this mean you're loyal to Loghain?" I ask frowning.

"I have no idea what his issues are with you. The usual, I imagine. You threaten his power, yes? Beyond that, no I am not loyal to him. I was contracted to perform a service," Zevran states calmly.

"And now that you have failed that service?" Alistair inquires.

Zevran snickers," Well now that is between Loghain and the Crows. And the crows and myself."

"And between you and me," I state happily.

"Isn't that what we are establishing now?" Zevran asks.

"When were you to see him next?" I ask.

"I wasn't," Zevran replied" If I had succeeded, I would return home and the crows would have informed your Loghain of the results…if he didn't already know. If I had failed, I would be dead… or should be at least as far as the Crows are concerned. No need to see Loghain then."

"If you had failed?" I look at him raising an eyebrow.

"What can I say, I am an eternal optimist," Zevran jokes. "Although the chances of succeeding at this point seem a bit slim don't they," He laughs, "No, I don't suppose you'd find that funny would you?"

Alistair looks at Zevran with astonishment and asks, "Why are you telling us this?"

Zevran glibly replies, "Why not? I wasn't paid for silence, although I never offered it for sale, precisely."

"How much were you paid? "I ask.

"I wasn't paid anything, however the crows were paid quite handsomely or so I understand. Which does make me about as poor as a chantry mouse, come to think of it. Being an Antivan Crow isn't for the ambitious to be perfectly honest," he muses.

"Then why are you one?" I ask.

"Well, aside from a distinct lack of ambition. I suppose it's because I was never given much of choice. The crows bought me young. I was a bargain too, or so I'm led to believe," Zevran states very matter of fact. I, however, notice a glimmer of sadness in his features, which almost instantly disappears.

"But don't let my sad story influence you," Zevran jests, "The crows aren't so bad. They keep one supplied with wine, women, or men, whatever you fancy. Although the whole severance package is garbage, let me tell you. If you were considering joining, I'd really think twice about it."

"I'll take that under advisement," I say dryly shaking my head.

"You seem like a bright girl. I'm sure you have other options," Zevran replies wryly.

"Aren't you a least loyal to your employers?" asks Morrigan as she crosses her arms, "It does seem incredibly stupid to bite the hand that feeds you."

"Loyalty is an interesting concept. If you wish and if you are done interrogating me, we can discuss it further," Zevran says humbly.

"I'm listening, make it quick," I retort.

"Well, here's the thing. I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. If you don't kill me, the crows will. Thing is, I like living," Zevran jokes.

"And you are the sort to give the crows pause. So let me serve you, instead," He adds seriously.

"Can I expect the same type of loyalty from you?" I counter.

"I happen to be a very loyal person," Zevran explains "Up until the point where someone expects me to die for failing."

"That's not really a fault is it? He asks, "I mean unless you are the sort who would do the same thing. In which case I don't come really well recommended …..I suppose."

"And what is to stop you from finishing the job later?" Alistair asks.

"To be honest, I wasn't given much of a choice regarding joining the crows. They bought me on the slave market as a child. I think I paid my worth back to them, plus tenfold. The only way out, however, is to sign up with someone they can't touch," Zevran explains, "Even if I kill you now they might kill me just out of principle for failing the first time. Honestly, I'd rather take my chances with you" He pleads.

"Won't they come after you?" Leliana probes.

"Possibly," answers Zevran, "I happen to know their wily ways, however, I can protect myself and you….not that you need much help."

"And if not ...It's not like I had many options to start with, is it?" he adds.

"You must think I'm royally stupid," I say hotly.

"I think your royally tough to kill, and utterly gorgeous," Zevran quips.

Everyone just looks at him blankly for a moment.

"Not that I think you will respond to simple flattery," he adds earnestly.

"But there are worse things in life than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess," Zevran smirks.

I blush angrily and think to myself "did he just seriously say that…the nerve!"

Pulling myself together and cursing my blush, I ask angrily, "What would you want in return?"

"Well… let's see. Being allowed to live would be nice, and make me marginally more useful to you," He jokes.

"And somewhere down the line should you no longer have need of me, I go on my way. Until then, I'm yours. Is that fair?" He says imploring with his eyes.

"Why would she want your service?" Alistair smirks kicking a stone at Zevran.

Zevran replies, "Because I am skilled at many things from fighting to stealth to picking locks, I could also warn you should the antivan crows try something more …sophisticated, now that my attempts have failed. I could also stand around and look pretty if you prefer. Warm your bed, he adds licentiously dropping his voice; fend off unwanted suitors, no?"

Ignoring my damn blush I reply smartly "is this before or after, you stab me in the back?"

Zevran smiles roguishly, "tsk, tsk… these things you say….they must drive the men wild back home."

"So what shall it be?" He asks briskly, "I'll even shine armor. You won't find a better deal I promise."

"Very well, I accept your offer."

Alistair is incredulous, "what? Are you serious about bringing the assassin with us?"

"He will be useful," I offer.

"You're probably right, but if there was a sign that we are desperate I think it just knocked on the door and said hello," He says dryly.

Morrigan cautions, "a fine plan but I would watch my food and drink more carefully from now on."

Zev replies, "That's good advice for anyone."

Leliana quiet for most of the conversation declares, "Welcome Zevran, I think having an antivan crow along is a great idea."

Zevran grins at her roguishly "oh you're another companion to be then, I wasn't aware that such loveliness existed amongst adventurers, surely."

Leliana's face twists in disgust, "or maybe not."

I lean over cutting Zevran's ties and offering him my hand to stand up.

He proclaims, "I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you until such a time as you chose to release me from it. I am your man without reservation. This I swear."

After hearing his oath, I really think he might honestly mean it. I thought this was rather strange after all the innuendo and joking from Zevran. Perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. Although, I still expect him to try to kill us or run from us ….I guess we will just have to see what he decides to do.