Chantal knew it was going to be a bad day the moment the tree fell behind them, separating them from Bodhan's cart. Luckily, the arrow that had been aimed at her heart found Alistair's shield instead as he threw it in front of her with a roar of indignation. She could still hear the arrow thudding into the wood over the rapid beating of her heart. That had been damn close.
She didn't know which archer had actually shot that arrow, but only one of the group was still alive, so she assumed she got her revenge.
Of course, he kept calling himself a crow and Chantal had no idea what that even meant, so Lelina had to smoothly step in and explain that they were an exclusive guild of assassins with a rather high success rate. "The Crows are rather infamous where I am from." The man on the ground replied glibly.
Even underneath the dirt of battle he was… remarkably attractive. Leliana had noticed it too, she could tell because the redhead had very suddenly felt the need to preen at her hair as she spoke. Chantal kept her arms crossed over her chest and her face stony on principle.
"Obviously not for being very good assassins." Chantal said off-handedly.
"I see how it is! You Fereldens mock your prisoners. Such cruelty." The elf was rather flippant for being on the ground at the wrong end of Alistair's blade. In spite of herself, Chantal had to fight off the smile. The elf's eyes flicked to her mouth and his own smile widened.
Chantal tried to regain control, pulling herself up straight. "Who hired you to kill us?" She demanded.
She was not surprised the elf named Loghain. She wilted a bit and cast a look up at Alistair. His mouth had thinned into a grim line. How in the Maker's name were they supposed to stop the Blight and deal with Loghain?
"When were you to see him next?" Leliana asked.
"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 did not already know. If I failed, I should be dead. No need to see Loghain then, I suppose."
"If he had failed?" Morrigan scoffed. "Slit his throat and be on our way."
"The chances of succeeding at this point do seem a bit slim!" The elf laughed at his own joke. Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana, Chantal, Sten, and Trout all looked at each other in silent disbelief. "No, no. I suppose you wouldn't find that funny." He amended at their expressions.
"How much were you paid?" Alistair asked. "I'd like to know how much we're worth to Loghain."
"What, for point of pride?" Chantal asked in shock. Alistair shrugged.
"I wasn't paid anything. The Crows however were paid handsomely, or so I was told. Being a crow is not for the ambitious."
"Then why are you one?" Chantal asked in irritation. The elf quirked an eyebrow.
"Why are you a mage? I had the same lack of choice you did, I suppose. I was bought by the Crows, young, and at a bargain I was told! But don't let my sad story compel you one way or another, the Crows aren't all that bad. They keep one supplied in wine, women, or men if that's your fancy. The severance package could use some work. If you were considering joining, I'd advise against it."
"Thanks, I'll take that under advisement." Chantal shook her head in disbelief and the elf beamed up at her.
"You seem like a bright girl. I'm sure you've other options if this Grey Warden business does not work out, no?" He had the audacity to wink and Leliana giggled. Color crept up even Alistair's cheeks.
"Why are you telling us all of this?" Chantal's heart was racing, again, but she didn't know why. The elf's face very suddenly became serious and he fixed his eyes levelly on hers.
"Why not? I wasn't paid for silence. I've no loyalty to Loghain and I've failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. That's how it works." Slowly, he lifted himself into a sitting position off the ground, cradling his bruised ribs. That, Chantal thought proudly, was her doing. It had been a damn fine spell that he hadn't quite dodged.
"If you don't kill me, the Crows will. The thing is, I like living. You, obviously, are the sort to give them pause. So… let me serve you instead."
Chantal had not been expecting that. She felt Alistair's gaze swing back to her, but she didn't move. She maintained her steady eye contact with the elf. "Can I expect the same amount of loyalty Loghain and the Crows got?" She asked. "Because I've got enough problems, I assure you."
"I happen to be a very loyal person! Up until the point someone expects me to die for failing." He qualified.
"What's to stop him from finishing the job later?" Alistair asked.
"The only way out of the Crows is to sign up with someone they can't touch. Even if I killed you now, they might just kill me on principle for failing the first time. I'd rather take my chances with you."
There was something in his eyes, hidden under layers she couldn't peel away. But she could see flashes of it, enough to believe… he could be sincere. Maybe.
"You must think we're royally stupid." Alistair said under his breath. Zevran grinned again, not looking at Alistair, not tearing his gaze from hers.
"Perhaps. But I think you are royally tough to kill. And utterly gorgeous."
All of the blood that had been pounding in her head rushed to her cheeks instantaneously. Zevran laughed. "Not that I'd expect you to respond to simple flattery, but there are worse things in life than serving the whims of a deadly goddess."
"Why would we even want you?" She sputtered, trying to ignore the blush coloring her face.
"Why?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because I am skilled at many things, from fighting to stealth, to picking locks! I could also warn you should the Antivan Crows attempt something more… sophisticated now that my attempts have failed. I could also stand around and look pretty if you prefer. Warm your bed?"
He shot a quick, pointed glance to Alistair "Fend off unwanted suitors? No?"
She caved and hid her face in her hands. Morrigan made a sound of utter contempt and there was a vein pulsing dangerously at Alistair's temple. Leliana would not stop giggling.
"Before or after he stabs you in the back?" Sten asked.
"I would do no such thing! You have won, my Warden, fair and square." He promised sincerely. "So what will it be? I'll even shine armor. You won't find a better deal, promise!"
Chantal peaked through her fingers, staring into those dark eyes again. She saw that flash once more, quickly covered up.
"Fine." She stated, dropping her hands to her robes and smoothing them. "We accept your offer."
"What?" Alistair exclaimed. "You're taking the assassin with us now? Does that really seem like a good idea?"
"Maybe not, but it is right up our alley." Chantal raised her eyes to Alistair's. "I think he's telling the truth."
"If there's a sign we're desperate, I think it just knocked on the door and said hello." Alistair sighed.
"A fine plan, but I would examine your food and drink far more closely from now on." Morrigan muttered.
"Excellent advice!" The elf pushed himself up off the ground, standing in front of Chantal. He was a head taller than her, but he swept himself into a fancy bow almost immediately. Chantal almost missed how he favored the bruised ribs. "I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you until such a time as you choose to release me from it."
He took one of her hands quickly, tugging it up to his lips and carelessly brushing his lips over her knuckles. "I am your man, without reservation. This, I swear."
He looked up, caught sight of the pink reemerging with a vengeance on her face and chuckled. "My, what a pretty shade you turn, my dear Warden."
"Chantal." She said firmly, pulling her hand back from him and ignoring the tingling feeling on her skin from the feather touch of his lips. She could feel it the whole way up her arm like lightning. "Chantal Amell."
"Then you must call me Zevran." He said immediately. "Now! Where to?"
"We need to see to your ribs. They're probably broken. And we've got a damn tree to move." Chantal threw her thumb over her shoulder. Morrigan sighed wearily, turning to deal with the tree. Sten and Alistair followed, warily. Chantal flipped open the pouch at her waist, pulling out a red elfroot potion. "You're lucky we didn't kill you."
Trout barked in affirmation, wagging his stub of a tail.
"Ah, well you know what they say." Zevran said with an elegant roll of his shoulders.
"I don't know what they say." She replied irritably, taking out a wrapped poultice as well.
"Any fight you can walk away from is a good one." Zevran winked. "I find I agree, happily enough."