Part Two: Jowan
((Here it is. Part Two of the story. Jowan, and man, I hope I do a good job writing him. So. Sit back, and enjoy, hopefully.))
Jowan didn't even know how his life had went from rock bottom, to the very top. One day, he was a Blood Mage, and an Apostate on the run. He had redeemed himself, and devoted his life to good deeds since that fateful day. He fought with the Hero of Ferelden, and one of his old friends from the Circle. She was something. A determined little spitfire, and one of the most talented Mages at Elemental he had ever seen. Her hair was the color of fire….and her eyes. Maker, her eyes were so blue, like the sea. Jowan shook his head to clear it back to the present. He was to go to the Arl of Redcliffe's castle today. Appointed Mage Advisor! Him, of all people! He had settled his score with the Circle, and had returned there for a time.
Thankfully, the First Enchanter knew he would never want to stay there again, so he was appointed an outside job. He loved it, and couldn't wait to get started. His Templar escort, was received into the castle, and walked to the main hall to meet up with some of the Arl's delegates. He had forgotten who had taken Eamon's place, as he had died a few years back. Teagan was now King, and he did an amazing job! Jowan was amazed at his perfectness with which he slipped into, and maintained the role. Hearing a door open, he turned, and felt his mouth drop just a little.
Alistair? Alistair was the NEW Arl of Redcliffe? Jowan felt his heart race slightly, his face flush. The last time he had seen Alistair, he had been bathing in a stream, getting the gore of the Battle of Denerim off of his skin. Jowan had been bathing, too. He remembered he kept staring at Alistair's rock hard abs, and then blushing if Alistair looked at him. Alistair hadn't told him to stop, nor did he look away from Jowan. It had been a tense moment, and it left Jowan confused, shaken. The man was sexy, so much so, that Jowan felt very inadequate in comparison.
Jowan saw Alistair staring open mouthed at him as well. The tension in the room was palpable, and none of the other people in the room seem to notice it. One of the Templars announced Jowan, and his new post. Alistair nodded graciously, and walked up to Jowan. Jowan felt his stomach flutter nervously, and he put his hand out. "My lord." Alistair smiled slightly, and took his hand, shaking it. Jowan noticed the smoothness of his hand, only with slight callouses. He must still practice, but battling time was long over. He reluctantly released his hand, and bowed his head politely.
"I will have my manservant show you to your new quarters. You will be housed quite comfortably. I personally invite you to dine with me at Luncheon." Jowan nodded, his mouth gaping. He was being shown all of the honors that he should be. It was just confusing to him, as Alistair still held a little bit of bitterness towards him. He knew he had been a Blood Mage, but also knew that he had redeemed himself, and set aside the evil magic. So Alistair had no choice but to admit Jowan was a different man. The man he was meant to be.
"Thank you, My lord. That sounds perfect." Jowan bowed his head again, and started to walk off with the Manservant. He turned his head slightly as he walked, and saw Alistair's face flush. He turned back around and felt his face flame. What was going on? Did Alistair feel the same thing happening? He was led to a marvelous room. Fully decorated, and a merry fire crackling in the hearth. The room had a plump full size goose down mattress set in an elegant wooden four post bed. The hangings were the same color as the bedding. Navy blue, and rich. It had a full table, with elegant chairs, and a desk and chair of the same make. There was a rug in front of the fire, set with a couch behind the rug.
Jowan nodded to the servant, and they left. He plopped down on the couch, and sighed heavily. He was stinky from travelling the dirt and dust filled roads. The Templars didn't let him stop to tidy up, or bathe quickly. So, he went into a chamber off of the back of the room. It was a bathing chamber, to his delight. They had already sent up a hot bath. He moaned in pleasure as he stripped off his clothes. His bags were being sent up right now. He noticed there were towels, so he wouldn't be nude when he was done. He slid into the tub, his eyes rolling back in his head with bliss. He soaked for a few minutes, before going under, and saturating his raven hair.
Then he came back up slowly. He noticed a nice smelling jar of soap to his left. Soaping up his hair, massaging it in. His body came next. Scrubbing, scraping the dirt away. He dipped under, rinsing himself thoroughly. It felt like the best part of the Maker's Golden City to be this clean again. He felt his face, and decided to get out of the tub, and shave his face. He had some stubble. So, wrapping a towel around his waist, he went to the basin near the tub, and started to shave, razor in hand. Once he was done, he washed his face off, and went into the other room. His bags were near the door, and he smiled.
Jowan picked out a new, clean set of robes. Dark Purple and Dark Green. He had made them himself, when he had some spare time. No one knew, but he loved to make things himself. It came from a whole life of having lots of spare time and no money with which to buy things. He slipped them on over his clean pair of smalls. Then there was a knock on his door. He sighed, and went to open it. It was the servant from earlier. "Ser Mage, Lunch is being served. I am here to take you to the Dining hall." Jowan nodded and smiled lightly. "Thank you. Please lead the way."
The Servant led Jowan to an amazing looking Dining Hall. It was comfy, and cozy. Fires were crackling on both sides of the room. Then there was a high table, with a about 5 lower tables for the rest of the household. Alistair was sitting at the high table alone, waiting for his guest to arrive before eating. Jowan took his seat next to Alistair, and looked at him, smiling slightly. "Greetings again, my lord." Alistair cringed and turned to look at him. "Jowan, please. Just call me Alistair. You know me, after all." Jowan bit his lip lightly and smiled wider. "Alright, then. Alistair it is. I knew you didn't like Nobility trappings when with someone familiar." Alistair was grateful that Jowan said that tidbit for him, so he didn't have to. "Thank you. Anyway. How are you finding your room?" Jowan saw the Servants placing the trays of food on the table. He also noticed someone poured him some wine. He took a small sip, and loved the taste.
"Everything is perfect, Alistair. Thank you, really." Jowan noticed how long Alistair's hair had gotten. It curled around his ears slightly. He had a light goatee, and he couldn't stop looking at him. He drank more wine, and his face flushed. Did the other man notice? He hoped to Blessed Andraste that he didn't. Alistair felt his heart jolt into movement, noticing the other man flush. He didn't know what in the Maker was wrong with him. He was acting like he…wanted something. From Jowan. They started to eat, in relative silence. As Alistair was always a pig, he slowed it down to manners of a good grace. For Jowan. He didn't think the man could handle watching him eat again. When they had been on the road together with the Hero, Jowan almost looked green to watch the other man eat.
They chatted back and forth for about 3 hours, drinking, eating. The banter was fun, and full of old stories from the days of Travel. Jowan had actually laughed, and smiled. Alistair thought it was good to see the often harried man at ease. It only made him more Handsome, he thought. Then he stopped himself, and choked on his wine. Jowan looked over from the fireplace in alarm. "Are you alright, Alistair?" Alistair looked at him, and calmed down his breathing, his face slightly red. "Yes, just fine. Went down wrong." Jowan chuckled lightly and yawned. "Look, already dark out. Suppose I should retire." Alistair was almost put out. His lower lip thrust out in a pout. "I suppose so. It is already dark. How the time flies!"
"Yes. It does. I must bid you a good night." Alistair nodded and smiled. He wanted to kiss him. What was wrong with him? He watched Jowan go, a thought forming in his mind. Jowan had arrived back at his room, stumbling on the way. He had drank much more wine that he had intended to. He slipped off his robe, and laid down on the comfortable blankets. It was much to warm this night to sleep under them. So he laid on his back, his hands loosely at his sides. He sighed, thinking of Alistair. The man was perfection, in everything, down to the last detail. He dozed lightly, thinking of what it would be like to touch that chest, as he had so many times before. The blood rushed to his loins, making them feel tight, tingly.
He fell into a dream, of Alistair coming into his darkened room, except for the firelight. Of his hands, gently running down his smooth chest. Of his lips softly ghosting across his chest, to his nipple. He hardened in his sleep, a soft sigh of a moan escaping his lips. Then his eyes flew open, and he saw a crown of dirty blonde hair on his naked chest. He sucked in a gasp, and tried to sit up. "Alistair! What are you…doing?"
((As a fellow reviewer pointed out...no spaces, and I had a horrid typo in there. Yes, there is some awkwardness as the lunch/dinner closes. They are comfortable chatting, but not parting for a very good reason. 3 ))