All rights belong to bioware, I do not own their world, characters or story. I'm merely playing with them.
Waking up was easier this time, Zevran had no illusions of what had happened now. He was not dead but he may as well have been. His head pounded before he even fully came to...the pain this time didn't come on slowly but full force. He groaned and shifted, noting how his hands were still tied to what felt like a tree trunk, whoever tied the knots were quite good at it that was for sure, some of his gear was removed, all of his weapons gone.
Well at least they were thorough.
His eyes slowly opened, wincing at even the dim light from a distant fire. He squinted, eyes narrowing and trying to figure out where he was.
Around him the Warden's group milled about, most of them ignoring him, The Qunari and man from earlier stood near the fire, several tents erected around the warmth. In the distance the mage woman was also seen around her own fire, with her own tent, utterly isolated from the group.
Two women he did not recognize. One a red head with a rather wicked looking bow...another an elderly woman in robes. Zevran saw the warden leave her tent, heading towards her male counterpart. Elf and human lowered their heads, speaking in low tones, Zevran strained his ears but could not catch a word of what was said. He noticed the red headed archer regarding him, a smirk pulling at her lips.
Zevran rose a brow at her, returning her smirk with his own.
That is until a large mass of fur suddenly tackled him, wrenching his tied arms uncomfortably, nearly tearing them from their sockets as a wet tongue licked eagerly at his face.
Zevran veered away. "By the maker this is not the reception I expected!" He gave a hearty laugh, head tilting back as he was licked at some more by the large Mabari hound practically sitting on top of his lap as the elf straightened up into his seated position once more.
He vaguely heard a whistle and the large dog reluctantly moved off him with a small whine of disappointment. Zevran blinked, his head hurting more now as his vision blurred. He looked forward and realized almost every pair of eyes were on him now, glaring daggers. The two wardens were eyeing him to. One impassively the other with narrowed eyes. The male whispered something to the elven woman...but she didn't seem to take an interest. Staring at Zevran, her elegant eyebrows lowering in confusion, a wrinkle forming between them.
Zevran eyed the Mabari warily-it was an odd reaction after all, especially as he noted how the hound now laid at the elven woman's feet, clearly he belonged to her. Why then would the mutt like him in any way?
He had been trying to kill all of them earlier after all.
The red headed woman moved first...to the large cauldron in the fire...spooning whatever was inside of it into a bowl...before walking over to Zevran.
He eyed her in amusement. "Ah...keeping the prisoner strong before putting him to work? How cruel." He clucked his tongue, eyeing her over in appreciation. "However had I known such lovely women existed within this band of misfits i'd have switched sides faster."
The woman's face didn't change...she untied one of his hands and handed him the bowl and wooden spoon.
"You are not on our side." She spoke with an Orlesian accent that forced Zevran's smirk to grow, A foreigner just like him-how quaint.
He gave a low chuckle...she had brought him some sort of stew that smelled divine...and without hesitation he tasted it. Eyes struggling not to widen at the taste, whoever made this had quite the gift considering how good this tasted on such limited supplies.
"My dear woman...won't you offer an assassin a slight break? By telling me of your little...group." He eyed the others over and then her, smiling slightly.
The woman sighed...glancing back at the group as they once again ignored the elf tied to the tree. "I am Leliana. The Qunari is Sten, the man Alistair, the elderly mage is Wynne and the isolated one Morrigan. The other warden..." She paused slightly.
Zevran smiled. "Don't leave me in suspense now."
Leliana sighed. "Rayne and her hound is Gwin."
Zevran allowed his eyes to focus on this...Rayne. He tested the word out loud, smiling at how it sounded coming from his lips as he intentionally rolled the R.
He noted how the woman's ear twitched slightly as if she had heard him.
"And what does your precious Rayne plan on doing to me?" He smiled back at Leliana once more.
Leliana pursed her lips slightly. "She is not sure yet. She has explained why she has kept you alive but has refrained from making a decision as of yet. I believe she plans to speak with you...give you the chance of proving to her that you are worth keeping around."
Zevran slowly nodded, continuing to eat as she spoke. The bowl wasn't very deep and the amount left him far from satisfied but he dar enot complain.
"I see, Thank you lovely Leliana, I do appreciate your...generosity. We shall make a fine team should I live, No?"
Leliana narrowed her eyes slightly. "Don't count on it Zevran..." She stood without another word and turned on her heel to walk away.
Zevran chuckled, nudging the bowl and spoon away from him, watching in amusement as the Mabari, Gwin, moved to retrieve the bowl in his large jaws...bringing it over to his mistress and letting out a small 'woof' as he set it at her feet.
Rayne glanced down at the dog, smiling and brushing her fingers through his fur before glancing through her dark hair towards the elf, Zevran tried to appear relaxed, his free hand rising in a two fingered salute to her. Before he beckoned her with a crooked finger, smirking.
Rayne narrowed her eyes...and turned to walk into her tent.
Zevran chuckled quite loudly, quieting as he noticed he received more stares.
She wanted to avoid him? Fine...he could wait for now.