"You can't be serious about talking to him."
The words were said on a breathless laugh that had her looking over her shoulder to the speaker. Alistair stood above her, his hands still gripping his sword and shield as if he expected the form before them to leap up in attack at any moment.
She returned her attention to the task, double checking her knots to make sure that they would stay. "I am generally serious about most of my decisions, Alistair."
"He tried to kill us. He shouted, 'Kill the Grey Wardens!' What else could you possibly hope to learn from him?"
She stood and wiped her hands on the short skirt of her armor before turning to look at her friend, a smile playing across her face. "He might have useful information. Might as well take advantage of it." She laid her hand on his arm, rubbing a moment before her smile widened. "Don't worry, lethallin, I will protect you."
She watched his mouth tighten before laughing lightly and dropping her hand to give his a squeeze. Knowing that he would go along with her she turned to their other companions. "Are we ready?"
Morrigan and Leliana both gave small nods, casting amused glances at Alistair as they all arranged themselves in a half circle around their captive. Lyna stared at him a moment, her fingers tapping on the dagger she held in her hand.
Blond hair, lighter then Alistair's, and skin that had been darkened by the sun. She remembered that his eyes were a light brown, and had the stray thought that it was like he had been made entirely by using different shades of gold. She frowned at herself when she realized where her thoughts were, and stuck out a foot to kick him lightly in the side.
After a moment had passed with no response she kicked him again, but harder. Then a few more times for good measure, finally stilling her leg when he began to groan.
He mumbled something under his breath as his eyes opened and took in his surroundings, including the fact that his legs were tied. She thought she saw a smile ghost over his face before he turned his gaze to the group standing over him. He finally focused on herself and Alistair, obviously knowing them to be the Grey Wardens. "I rather thought to wake up dead, or not wake up at all as the case may be. but I see you haven't killed me yet." His voice was accented, a strange flow to his words.
Observant, she thought not without a trace of humor before unhooking her bow and crouching down in front of him so he didn't have to crane his neck up, and to make sure he knew who was in charge. "That could be easily rectified."
"Of that I have no doubt, you are most skilled." She heard the trace of humor in his voice, and raised a brow as he continued. "If you haven't killed me, however, you must have kept me alive for some purpose, yes?"
She rested an elbow on her knee and propped her chin on her fist before answering. "You're very glib for a prisoner." She laid her bow down beside Alistair's feet, imagining the utter look of horror he must be wearing.
He did laugh at this, a deep throaty sound that had her narrowing her eyes. "It is my way, or so I am told." He shifted a bit on the ground, one hand coming up to wipe over his face. "Let's see then. I assume that you kept me alive to ask me some questions, yes? If so, let me save you time and get right to the point. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends." She briefly thought about stopping him to let him know she didn't really care what his friends called him, but held silent in hopes he would get to something important.
"I am a member of the Antivan Crows, brought here for the sole purpose of slaying any surviving Grey Wardens." He heaved a sigh, his voice filling with remorse as he continued, "Which I have failed at, sadly."
She tapped a finger on her chin, her other hand readjusting it's hold on her dagger. She kept her voice bland as she said, "I'm rather happy you failed."
He laughed again, meeting her gaze directly a smile staying in place. "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 budding assassin's career."
She heard Alistair make a sound of disgust, and tilted her head to look at him before turning back to the so called assassin in front of them. "To bad for you, then."
He gave a small, sad nod, "Yes, it's true. Too bad for me."
Curiosity got the better of her, and she heard herself asking, "What exactly are the Antivan Crows?" Even as he opened his mouth to reply, she heard Leliana speak up behind her. "I can tell you that."
She held a finger up at Zevran, and stood to turn and look at the Chantry sister, her hands motioning for her to continue.
"They are an order of assassins out of Antiva. Very powerful, and renowned for always getting the job done..." She trailed off, before continuing, "So to speak." She gestured to the elf on the ground, her eyes narrowing. "Someone went to great expense to hire this man." If he is who he says he is. Lyna heard the unspoken words even as she thought them herself.
One day she would get Leliana to tell her exactly who she was and how she knew things, but for now there were more important things.
The man spoke up from behind her, drawing her out of her thoughts. "Quite right. I'm rather surprised you haven't heard much of the crows out here. Back where I come from, we're rather infamous."
She rolled her eyes, causing Morrigan to bite back a laugh. Arrogant man. What did a Dalish elf care for a guild of assassins in some far off city. She turned back to him, her face blank. "Not for being good assassins, I see."
He threw up his hands, wobbling a bit with the movement. "Oh fine. Is that what you Fereldans do? Mock your prisoners. Such cruelty."
She crouched back down, a frown forming as she studied him. "You came all the way from Antiva?" If they were going so far as to hire outside the borders, she worried what might else be coming.
His brows lowered and he looked off past her shoulder, showing a sudden interest in a grouping of rocks. "Not precisely. I was in the neighborhood when the offer came." He focused back on her face before continuing. "The Crows get around, you see."
She glanced up at Alistair, and could see in his face what question he wanted her to ask, even though they both knew the answer. She sighed and looked back at their captive. "Who hired you?"
"A rather taciturn fellow in the capital. Loghain, I think his name was... Yes, that's it."
She felt more then saw Alistair stiffen, and silently willed him to just once not give everything away with body language. "So does that mean you are loyal to him?"
"I have no idea what his issues are with you. The usual I imagine. You threatened his power, yes?" He gave a shrug, and casually glanced up to the others. "Beyond that, no, I'm not loyal to him. I was contracted to perform a service."
She stood and folded her arms over her chest, deciding perhaps he needed to be a bit uncomfortable. "And now that you have failed that service?"
He smiled at her, clearly reading her thoughts as he shifted to look up at her more easily. "Well, that's between Loghain and the Crows, and between the Crows and myself."
"And between you and me?"
"Isn't that what we are establishing now?"
"When were you to see him next?"
He rolled a shrug, and dropped his gaze to the ground; he began idly playing with a blade of grass. "I wasn't. If I had succeeded I would have returned 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." Another smile, though he did not look back up. "Or I should be, at least as far as the Crows are concerned. No need to see Loghain."
She stared at him in silence, working that over in her mind. She had a fair idea where he was going to be going with this conversation, and how her companions would react. When he tilted a look up at her she cocked her head a bit. "If you had failed?"
"What can I say? I am an eternal optimist. Although I would say the chances of succeeding at this point seem a bit slim, don't they?" He started laughing at that, bright and loud until he noticed the four sets of eyes, all with the same expression, merely staring at him. The laughter died in his throat. "No, I don't suppose you would find that funny, would you."
"How much were you paid?"
"I wasn't paid anything. The Crows, however, were paid quite handsomely. Or so I understand."
Good, if nothing else Loghain was out a large sum of money. As petty as it was, she liked taking any shots at him that she could. She realized that he was still talking and tried to focus again.
"...poor as a Chantry mouse, come to think of it. Being an Antivan Crow isn't for the ambitious, to be perfectly honest."
"Then why are you one?" The question came before she realized she had been thinking it, and she watched a rather self deprecating smile form on his face. "Well, aside from a distinct lack of ambition, I suppose because I wasn't given much of a choice. The Crows bought me young. I was a bargain too, or so I'm led to believe."
She schooled her features as he spoke. It sounded like slavery. Nothing to do with ambition at all.
He waved a hand and readjusted himself, his legs stretching against their ties a moment. "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. Though the whole severance package is garbage, let me tell you. If you were considering joining, I'd really think twice about it."
In other words they keep you complacent, and less likely to go against them, she thought bitterly, ignoring his last attempt at humor. There were days she could hardly stand the world outside her Dalish camp. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"You seem like a bright girl. I'm sure you have other options." She almost laughed at that. She had no options; she was a Grey Warden, and would be the rest of her life. Perhaps they had some things in common.
She knelt again, her voice dropping, curiosity apparent. "Why are you telling me all this?"
He let out a chuckle, his brow raising a bit. "Why not? I was not paid for my silence. Not that I offered it for sale, precisely."
She didn't believe it for a moment. "Aren't you at least loyal to your employers?" He seemed to examine his hands. "Loyalty is an interesting concept. If you wish to discuss it, and are done interrogating me, we can discuss it further."
Ah, and here it was. "I'm listening. Make it quick."
"Well, here's the thing." His voice took on an oddly businesslike quality. "I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. That's how it works. If you don't kill me, then Crows will. The thing is... I like living, and you are obviously the sort to give the Crows pause. So.." He drew the word out, as if he was coming to a whole new idea. "Let me serve you instead."
"No!" The word had come out in a rush from the man to her side. She stood to look at him, his head shaking even before she could say anything. "No, Lyna. No." She didn't reply to him, merely stared at him a moment. This he could be decisive about? This? She narrowed her eyes, silently daring him to say something else; make this decision himself. When it seemed he had nothing else to say she turned back to the assassin.
"Can I expect the same amount of loyalty from you?"
Golden eyes looked between the two of them a few times before landing and staying on her. "I happen to be a very loyal person. Up until the point that someone expects me to die for failing." She sent him the same narrowed look she had previously directed at her friend. She could hear the question in his voice when he continued. "That's not a fault, really, is it?" She heard a snort behind her, and could picture Morrigan laughing. She kept her gaze on Zevran.
"Unless, you're the sort who expects the same thing. In which case I... well, I don't come very well recommended, I suppose." He scooted around a bit until he was more sitting then laying, his hands waving as he talked. "To be completely honest, I wasn't given much of a choice regarding joining the Crows. They bought me on the slave market when I was a child. I believe I have paid my worth back to them, plus tenfold. The only way out, however, is to sign up with someone they can't touch. Even if I did kill you now, they might kill me just on principle for failing the first time. Honestly, I'd rather take my chances with you."
"You mean use us until you have the chance to kill us." Alistair blurted the angry words out, his stance shifting as he folded his arms. Lyna ignored him, his outbursts where not helping anything. As if sensing it would be a mistake to respond, Zevran kept silent.
"Won't they come after you?"
He gave a shrug. "Perhaps. I happen to know their wily ways, however, I can protect myself, as well as you." He seemed to catch himself, and the cough that came from Leliana. "Not that you seem to need much help. And if not, well, it's not like I have many alternatives to start with, is it?"
She finally let out a laugh, and crouched back down, her cheek resting on her hand as she stared at him. "You must think I'm royally stupid." She heard the sound of protest given by Alistair, good he understood the hit. He deserved it.
He sent her an overly flirtatious smile, his head tilted in a way that was obviously suppose to show off the tattoo on the side of his face, and so he could look at her out of the corner of his eyes. "I think you're royally tough to kill, and utterly gorgeous."
When she didn't respond his smile turned friendly. "Not that I think you'll respond to simple flattery, but there are worse things in life then serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess."
She couldn't fault him for lack of trying, and she had to school her features when she heard Alistair muttering again, along with the sigh of annoyance from Morrigan. The witch had always hated such things. "What do you want in return." Nothing ever came for free.
"Well, let's see. Being allowed to live would be nice, and would make me marginally more useful to you. And somewhere down the line, if you should decide that you no longer have need for me, then I go on my way." His voice took on the flirtatious edge again as he said, "Until then, I am yours. Is that fair?"
"Ok, let's put it this way. Why would I want your service?"
"Why? Because I am skilled in many things, from fighting to stealth and picking locks. I could also warn you should the Antivan Crows attempt something more... sophisticated now that my attempts have failed." He looked up to her and waved a hand when she didn't reply, clearly unsure of what she wanted to hear. "I could also stand around and look pretty, if you prefer. Warm your bed? Fend off unwanted suitors?" He glanced at Alistair, "No?"
She risked a look over her shoulder, knowing what Alistair's answer would be, but wanting a gauge on the others. Both of the women were biting back smiles. She turned her attention back when she heard Zevran speaking again.
"So, what shall it be? I'll even shine armor. You won't find a better deal, I promise."
She heaved a sigh and stood. "Very well, I accept your offer," she said lightly as she made her way over to pick up his weapons from where they had fallen a ways off.
"What!" Alistair's voice was raised, pitched higher than normal. "You're taking the assassin with us now? Does that really seem like a good idea?"
She dropped the daggers into her bag and holstered her own. Tossing the bag over her shoulder she stepped to Alistair and laid an hand on his arm, her eyes pleading. "Don't worry about it. We could use him." It was true. They were sadly lacking in allies.
He stared at her a moment, a frown appearing before he gave a shake of his head, and glancing at the others. "Fine...Fine. I see your point. Still, if there was a sign we were desperate, I think it just knocked on the door and said hello." She sent him a bright smile, even though his frown remained, and he moved to the object of the conversation and began to untie his legs.
"A fine plan," Morrigan said, walking up to her, "but I would examine your food and drink far more closely from now one, were I you."
"You think it's a mistake, Morrigan?" she pitched her voice lower than before, so only the human woman could hear her, and was rewarded with a raised brow. "I do not recall saying that."
Leliana, Creators bless her, was already helping the blond elf from the ground. "Welcome, Zevran. I think having an Antivan crow along is a fine plan." Her smile was friendly, her face free of the worry floating off of Alistair, of course, Lyna suspected that Leliana had a hard time hating anyone.
Zevran returned the smile, "Oh? Are you another companion-to-be then? I wasn't aware such loveliness existed amongst adventures, surely." He bowed over her hand with a flourish, and kissed it.
"Or maybe not."
He laughed at her bland reply, and then made his way over to where Lyna stood. He was about a head taller than her, roughly the same height as the human women in the group, though far shorter then Alistair. She was briefly aware that it would be good to have another companion who seemed like they were a normal size.
He sent her a small bow. "I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you, until such a time as you choose to release me from it. I'm your man, without reservation. This I swear."
She merely looked at him and then pushed by him to start down the road. She had no need for pledges, things like that could be easily broken. The others fell into step behind her, Zevran falling in at the rear, seemingly unsure of what else to do.
When they made it back to camp it didn't take long to catch Sten, Shale and Oghran up on what had happened. She left most of the telling to Leliana, who seemed perfectly happy to introduce their newest member.
Lyna watched as Alistair made his way into the forest, on the pretence of gathering wood. She knew better; new that he was angry about their latest addition. For all that he outwardly supported it. She dropped her bag on a log and removed the daggers she had placed within. Making her way over to the new elf she held them out to him silently.
She recognized the shock in his gaze as he took them, also the wariness. "You are giving me back my weapons?" At her nod, the wariness increased. "Why?"
"If you are planning on killing me, I doubt you need daggers, and to be fair, I would rather you go ahead and try and get it over with. It would save time and resources we might use on you." She smiled when he started to laugh. "I am willing to take a chance on you, Zevran. Much to the dislike of companions I regard far more highly then I do you. Everyone gets a second chance, right? Please don't make me regret it." When he didn't seem to have a reply to that she turned and went to the fire to start dinner.
Sometime later she heard someone settle behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she gave a nod to Zevran, and noticed that everyone had disappeared saved Shale, in her normal place by the road. They were probably washing up or resting before dinner.
"You are Dalish, yes?" At her nod he settled more comfortably in his seat. "Who does your vallasin represent?"
She blinked at that, and turned to look at him more fully. "You know what vallasin is?" He gave a nod, and smiled at her. "I was always interested in my wilder cousins."
She studied him a moment before replying, unsure of if she even should. He had been the first to ask her about it. "It's to honor Falon'Din."
"A strange god for a beautiful girl to honor." He smiled at her scowl, and she turned back to the stew she was making. "I have my reasons, and they are of no concern to you." When he stayed silent she continued, thinking she could feel his smile on the back of her neck. "I have no need for flattery and interest, Zevran. I may only be seventeen, but my head is not in the clouds, nor am I turned by pretty words and hooded gazes." Hearing someone come into the clearing they both looked up as Alistair made his way to the fire, his arms full of tree limbs. They both stayed quiet until he disappeared into his tent, his eyes still wary.
She stood abruptly and went to rummage in her tent a few moments before returning, and dropping a large bag of armor at his feet. When he sent her a questioning look, she gave him a friendly smile. "Shining armor, remember? I believe you said you could do it." She turned and headed off to find the others, and let them know food was almost ready; his laughter floating behind her.