And here we go again :)


It was a little hard for both of them walking through the brush trying not to cut anyone or being cut but they somehow managed to get down on the road unharmed. When the mercenaries noticed the two of them coming out of the woods, they raised their bows and aimed at Firunja. "Dear companions, please!" the elf said, "no need to be so rude! The lady defeated me fair and square. Now, take your coin and go home, I do not seem to need you anymore. Thank you for your patience!" He tried to bow elegantly but obviously had managed to forget the blade on his throat. He twitched back as the he felt a slight pain and suppressed a curse. The mercenaries looked at each other rather irritated but then decided that they had made a very easy coin this day and left the elf to his fate. It did not take long when they heard steps and chatting coming along the road towards them. Firunja gave the Antivan a "let me talk" look and stepped into the middle of the road when the steps were already very close to them. As the small group of people came around the corner, she recognized someone that could fit the rumors about the grey warden: a female dwarf with short dark hair, bronze skin and tattoos in her face, slightly darker then her skin. With her traveled a man in heavy templar armor, an elder woman that seemed to be a mage and a red-haired sister that instantly aimed her longbow at her when she came in sight. Firunja straightened and called: "Are you the grey warden? I do not wish to fight you! Take down your weapons and let us talk!" "It is a trap! I am sure there is a lot more where she came from!" the templar shouted and was about to storm forward as the dwarfen woman raised her hand. "Slowly, Alistair, let us see what is going on there" she said calmly and stepped towards to Firunja. "Now, who are you and what does that mean?" she said pointing at the Antivan and the smoking wagons in the back. "I am Firunja, I live here in the forest and this elf here planned to ambush you and your companions. That is what this scenery was for. Unfortunately, you missed the best part; he even had some actors playing the terrified robbed victims, it was hilarious watching them get ready." Remembering the mercenaries made her chuckle. The dwarf looked skeptic. "The gentleman here is a crow, one of the famous and feared assassins from Antiva! And a gentleman without a name, or is that part of the mystery around the crows?" she mocked the elf. "Ouch! That hurt nearly as much as the knowledge that I cannot turn around and show you what happens to such smart-mouth ladies in Antiva! My name is Zevran Arainai, so no mystery at all…" he purred. Firunja simply sighed and ignored him. "Unfortunately, he – Zevran - crossed my path and so his life is forfeited. I want to leave it to you, what will happen to him; it was you he was after, not me." The dwarf instructed his companions to lower their weapons and stepped towards Firunja. "Since we are still alive, I suppose I should believe your story. I am Cardrima and indeed, I am a grey warden. It was very noble of you to leave judgment to us but as this situation comes a bit unexpected, I might need your help. You said his live was forfeited…so I assume we could just kill him…" the warden said a little indecisive. Suddenly, life came into Zevran who had been rather passive due to the bothersome blade still present at his throat. "I do not wish to beg but please, little lady, do not kill me. It would be a horrible death not to know who the lady was that embarrassed me so deeply by taking me hostage so easily. Maybe I could be of use to you…the crows might not employ me again, I guess... Obviously, I am not the best crow, but still a crow…" he hectically interjected. Cardrima looked at Firunja. "I do not trust him; he might as well try to finish his task once we let him come with us. But he is right in some point: there is a lot of darkspawn with a desperate deathwish; we can use every blade we get. I have an idea! What, if you came with us to have an eye on him? You seem rather skilled yourself and might be able to control him…" Firunja thought about it for a moment. The thought of leaving was tempting on the one hand and making her intestines stir uncomfortably. Would she really want to leave the place that had been home to her for the last months and had enabled her a peaceful and enjoyable life? For a life eliminating darkspawn and babysitting an antivan crow? Really? But on the other hand: her opportunity to retreat was no longer secret and – she had to admit – having people around her could be a nice diversion. And - what she refused to confess to herself – Zevran could possibly be fun to have around; as flattering and cheesy as he was, he still was a treat. "Alright, I am coming with you. Who are your companions?" she asked Cardrima pointing at the other three people standing behind the dwarf and tried to look like they were not listening. "Great, then…welcome onboard! The templar is Alistair, the sister is Leliana and the mage lady is Wynne. We were on our way to find a place to rest as we are all bit exhausted; we had quite a heavy battle last night... So if you do not have any issues here anymore, we can start!" The two women smiled at each other feeling an immediate sympathy. Firunja nodded, took a piece of rope from her belt and tied Zevrans hands together. She gave him a little poke and the group continued its way along the road.


The next Chapter might take a while but I suppose from what is in my head: it will be fun :)