So I know Taliesin sounds like he's from Fereldan in the game, but I always thought that was silly. Imagine him with a less sexy version of Zevran's accent, if you will. Chapter two is significantly longer, and mostly done. (rated for my own paranoia)
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything good
Sten led the way down down the back streets of Denerim, Talin keeping pace, with Morrigan and Zevran trailing along a few steps behind. Neither bothered to stop and ask how the qunari knew the way. They were on a mission. The group had gathered in Arl Eamon's Denerim estate to discuss their plans for the landsmeet when a well dressed city elf had come to the door, demanding an audience with the Arl and the Wardens. Zevran had led the young woman to where Alistair and Lyna were in conference with the Arl, and had heard as the servant begged for the Warden's to save her mistress, Anora, from Arl Howe, who had apparently imprisoned the queen in his estate. Lyna, at Eamon's urging, had consented, bringing only Leliana and Talin along with her, despite Alistair and Zevran arguing against such meager backup.
And now, they suffered the consequences of that decision, although the assassin wasn't sure even his presence would have changed the outcome. Leliana and the mabari had returned with the queen, but they had been forced to leave Lyna behind. The rescue party had been ambushed by a contingent of guards, and the Warden had been captured. Or rather, she had surrendered to allow her companions to escape with the queen in disguise. Zevran scowled as he stalked along, his chest tight at the thought of how a Dalish elf might be treated in a human prison. Especially an elf who was labeled a traitor, and who worked against the self-proclaimed 'regent' of the crown.
...
..
.
Lyna shivered where she lay curled up on the cold stone floor of her cell, her slender arms cradling her rib-cage and her violet eyes closed. Her hair was loose, having long since fallen from the bun she kept it in, and fell around her face in a tangle. She had only been at the prison for minutes before a group of human guards had come in, stripping her roughly of her clothing before administering the first beating.
The Warden winced, pain spearing through her chest as she shifted slightly. At least, she thought, it is only beatings so far. Things could be much, much worse. And he... they, will come, sooner or later. After the third beating, they had left the dainty elf in a crumpled heap in the center of the cell, the door slamming shut behind them as the chatted idly with each other as if nothing had happened.
...
..
.
Sten stopped suddenly, not far from Fort Drakon where the Warden was being held, his vivid purple eyes narrowed as he glanced over at the stairs leading up to the next alley. Something was amiss. Zevran moved to stand next to him, his amber eyes darting around. In a whisper, the qunari said, "You feel it too?"
"Indeed. Something... is not right."
From the stairs above came a mocking, accented voice. "Ah, Zevran. You are a difficult one to find, no?"
Zevran stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he stared up the stairs. "Tell me Taliesin, were you sent, or did you volunteer for the job?"
Behind them, Morrigan leaned on her staff and Talin growled low in his throat. Sten glanced briefly at the assassin at his side, not moving as the former Crow took a half-step forward as he spoke.
The man at the top of the stairs grinned maliciously, absently running his gloved hand across his leather-armored chest. "I volunteered, of course! When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it for myself."
"Is that so? Well here I am, in the flesh."
The dark haired man at the top of the stairs smirked, taking a single step down towards the four waiting below, his eyes resting on Zevran. After a long pause, the man called Taliesin lowered his voice to a still very audible conspiratorial whisper.
"You can return with me, Zevran. I know why you did this, and I don't blame you. It is not too late. Come back and we'll make up a story. Anyone can make a mistake."
The former Crow went rigid, his amber eyes widening slightly at the offer as his breath caught in his throat. Talin growled again, his head held low and at the ready. Behind him, Sten and Morrigan exchanged a glance, neither quite sure how the elf was going to respond...
Cliffhanger! Don't worry, chapter 2 is mostly done already.