Chapter Three

"So what are you saying?" Pearl asked, looking up at him. She was still dazed from the sudden actions. Her back burned as if someone was pouring acid onto her. She grabbed onto his massive forearm and held herself up. Blood on the damp earth beneath her. Still nude, she leaned forward. "How bad is it?" she moaned. Her teeth gritted together.

Sten twisted his body slightly to see the damage. There was a gaping hole in her back. Blood littered the exact spot, but he could definitely pin-point the wound. "You're not well." he stated calmly, cradling her in his arm. His other arm slid under her bare buttocks and he lifted her up gently, as if she were his precious bride. He stood up with no difficulty, and held her closely. She winced in pain as he took off in a sprint toward the camp.

"I asked you a question back there," she whispered as he ran. He glanced down at her. His eyes burned into her skull. "Are you leaving us?" she asked, desperately trying to remain conscious.

"So what if I am? It is none of your concern now, human." he snapped back, concentrating now on the camp in sight.

"It is my concern! It'll always be MY concern!" Pearl screamed, punching him hard in the chest. Of course, to the Quinari, it was a mere flick, but it hurt him emotionally. "You can't leave us!" she cried as he brought her into view of the camp fire. He ignored the stares of the dwarves by the caravan and entered her small, but roomy tent. He lay her down.

Pearl looked fiercely up at him, daring him to move away. He tried to ignore. Instead he busied himself into her pack and fished out some bandages. He wrapped them around her tightly, not making eye contact. He tied the rest and sat up a bit, so to observe his handiwork. She glared at him powerfully. "The mage will attend to your medical needs, as I am incapable of that skill." he grumbled, turning to leave. He felt her seize his large hand. He glanced back at it.

His hand was two- three times bigger than hers. It was as if he held a small child's. It was so delicate and frail, yet stern and mighty; as a warriors hand should be. She hoisted herself up and took a deep breath.

"Don't leave me here," she spoke softer than expected. Sten looked at her. Her eyes were tearing up, and he feared the lose of his respect for her. He turned finally.

"What's wrong, human? Why must you cry?" he asked, insinuating she was insufferable. She closed her eyes tightly and began to whimper.

"I cry because you're just as clueless and stupid as any human man!" she pushed him out of the tent and closed the flap. "Stay out! Go, leave me! Do what you wish!" she screamed. Sten was confused. He prodded at the opening to the woman's sanctuary.

"Woman, don't be like that." he demanded silently. He heard sobbing coming from the inside and regretted what he'd said. "Let me in." he ordered, to which she declined loudly. He repeated himself more clearly. "Peal! You will let me in immediately!" he bellowed. After a long pause, the flap opened and she stuck her head out.

"What!?" she shouted. She was cut off by his lips against hers. Her eyes remained open and wide. 'This shut me up,' she mentally gasped.

'This shut her up' he thought, mentally smirking. 'Lets see the other Warden take this charge,' he mindfully insisted.

They remained locked together until a throat was cleared. Sten pushed back and looked up, scowling. Alistair and Morrigan stood behind the two lovers. Alistair gave Sten the deadliest glare in Fereldon, whilst Morrigan stepped forward with an evil smirk. "Shall we attend to the medicine?"

Sten paced back and fourth. It was dawn now, and Pearl had yet to emerge from the sanctuary of her tent. Alistair remained close to the opening flap, listening closely to the women in the shelter. Sten could barely hear, which was not like him at all. He worried about her. He worried about the amount to respect he'd lost from the group. He sighed. Maybe he should take his leave.

He walked over to where his sword leaned, against a tree trunk, and picked it up. He slid it into the sheath of his belt and began walking away.

"Sten." he turned to see Pearl. She stood tall and proud. The wind blew her hair around, hitting her bare chest, strung with bandages. She picked up the top half of her armour and walked toward him while slipping it on. "You alright?" she asked.

He looked at her. She was bruised and bleeding beneath the bandages. Her breasts were covered, but the crease between them desirable to men. He swallowed hard. She looked up at him with respect and leadership. He nodded once at her question.

"You're leaving. Why?" she demanded. He looked at her silently. "I believe we still have a blight? Therefore, you have no choice but to stay with us." she snapped, becoming were hostile. She turned around and looked at her fellow team mates. "Let's go." she ordered, simply grabbing her sword and dagger and walking toward the rest of the world. Everyone quietly obliged.