3. Spy
The sun is slowly setting beyond the horizon, its warm light spreading through the leaves of the threes and hitting their trunks pleasantly. Far from the distance, the swish of the waters of Lake Calenhad resounds like a peaceful lullaby.
Alice Cousland is strolling quietly through the little forest, her faithful mabari Sirius at her side, while she looks inattentively for some brushwood for their campfire. However, other concerns are filling her mind, since the day before after what happened at the Tower of Magi. Her trip into the Fade has been very intense, and now a lot of things have changed inside her.
Her companions, especially Morrigan, keep inquiring her curious about those particular powers she obtained in there, that allowed her to change into different powerful entities. And yes, she has to admit she really enjoyed the golem form, so strong and resistant. Still, all she can think about is the reason why she resisted to the illusion the demon Sloth created for her.
Alistair, Leliana, and even Wynne… they almost succumbed to their own dreams, while Alice didn't. Since the beginning she understood there was something wrong, as she found herself in front of Duncan, alive and triumphant over the defeated darkspawn. When they talked about it, she hastily got rid of the matter, saying that Sloth made a mistake because he should have chosen to make her meet her whole family. But, deep inside her heart, she knows that this isn't the truth.
As much as she misses her parents, her brother and the other people of Highever, and she'd do anything to have them back, now she's getting accustomed to her new life. She respects and values her own role of Grey Warden, and she cares very much about their vital mission.
For a split moment, listening to Duncan saying that Ferelden was safe thanks to them, Lady Cousland felt so proud. But there was no joy in her because something– someone was missing, and that was Alistair.
They met only a few weeks ago, but Alice can't imagine her life without him anymore. He is her comrade, her confidant, her best friend… and so much more.
She has been so damn scared during all the time she spent in the Fade, without knowing where he was or if he was all right. Then, when she finally found him, she couldn't help but be a little disappointed that his own dream didn't include her. At least he did recognize her – no one else did but him – and he was genuinely happy to see her at his sister's house. Yet, that wasn't enough for Alice's poor heart.
Andraste's mercy what's happening to her? She's a warrior and she has a task to accomplish. This is not the time to have a crush on someone, especially not on a fellow Warden!
They started with innocent jokes that turned into shy flirts, both of them apparently enjoying it way too much. Then, one night Alice got drunk and she ended speeding things up – damn it, she's not able to hold down her alcohol, not at all. Anyway, her shameless drunken behavior didn't obtain any positive answer from the object of her desires, and, after the Fade, it is quite clear that Alistair doesn't have the same kind of interest towards her, and this hurts her.
Such an irony! She spent all her childhood in Highever refusing the woo of all those boys her parents introduced to her, dreaming about running away to become a mighty heroine and to have exciting adventures. Now that somehow her wishes have come to reality, she finds herself falling hopelessly for a wonderful handsome man. Serves her right!
Suddenly, the splashing sound of water nearby interrupts her train of thoughts, warning her that they got near the lakeshore. Soon her attention is caught by an unidentified figure standing in front of it. Lady Cousland promptly grabs her great sword with one hand and with the other gives Sirius a signal to stay calm and they both hide behind a large tree, alert. She leans over to glimpse the stranger, trying to detect a possibly threat. He's facing the lake, still she can identify him as a human. A male – yes, definitely a male. A young man with short light hair–
Maker's breath!
She'd be able to recognize that coppery sexy nape everywhere.
Alistair.
Alice's heart jumps wildly against her ribs as soon as she realizes that the man of her dreams is just a few steps away from her, and he is wearing only a pair of trousers and nothing else – by the way he is dripping he probably just had a bath.
Tortuously slowly, she sheathes her sword back over her shoulder and she rests her cheek on the tree trunk, unable to move her eyes away from him. She just stays there, enraptured by him.
Even if she hasn't… licked any lamppost in winter – as she confessed to him when she was drunk – given that she grew up along with a lot of young squires as friends, she has a certain familiarity with the male anatomy. Well, at least with the part that is still considered 'safe' for a good-mannered lady of course. Hence, she's quite sure she never saw any other lad as handsome and perfect as Alistair.
He's tall, with a slender yet well-built body and neat skin almost unblemished – thanks to the heavy armors he usually wears – that is now shining under the last remnants of sunlight, highlighting is gorgeous features.
Lady Cousland's breath is caught into her throat at the sight of his flawless back, tensing as he raises both his arms towards his head, his strong hands brushing his wet hair to ruffle it.
How would it feel to sink her fingers into those auburn strands?
At his movements, myriads of drops of water slide along the length of his sexy chest.
How would it feel to trace every single taut muscle with her digits?
Then she wonders about the parts she's not able to admire now…
How would it feel to caress his abdominals? Would she find the same blonde hair on his pectoral?
As she notices a small bead slipping down his spine, she imagines herself running her tongue over its path.
How would it feel to taste his smooth skin? Would he thrill under her touch?
The bead disappears inside his trousers, drawing her attention over his fine and solid rear. The soaked cloth is clinging on it, leaving little to the imagination.
How would it feel to grab that amazing bottom with her hands while he's making love to her?
Her knees are giving up under the shivers of pure desire that are shaking her up to her core. She senses her blood boiling into her veins, her need for him almost unbearable.
Alice inhales deeply, trying to hold back her flustering, but all that comes out from her mouth is a strangled gasp that reaches the young man's ears, who startles surprised and begins to turn around towards her. Thanks the Maker she manages to hide again behind the tree just in time to avoid being caught by him.
"Is anybody out there?" he asks out loud, and his known voice rouses Sirius' attention.
"No–" Lady Cousland mutters to her mabari in vain, because he's already toddling joyful on his way to the lakeshore.
"Sirius? What are you doing here?"
Damn it. He is a war dog, he's supposed to be distrustful of anyone but his mistress. So why, for Andraste's sake, does he act so friendly with the other Warden?
"Yes yes, good boy." Alistair chuckles and the mabari barks smug. "But hey… Are you in there alone?"
Oh-oh…
"Alice?"
Nononononono… Maker help me! I have to preserve the last remnants of dignity I still have! Please!
She huddles up against the trunk, doing her best to conceal herself. She wouldn't survive at the embarrassment, if he finds out that she was spying on him, her cheeks flushed and her hands sweating for her inappropriate hunger for him.
"Sirius? Where is your mistress?"
Damn you Sirius don't you even…
Thankfully, in that very moment, a confuse noise comes out from the other side of the forest, and the dog rushes growling towards its source. The sound of footsteps on the sand warns the girl that Alistair is following him. "Sirius!"
Without even thinking about it twice, Lady Cousland starts to run away faster than she ever did in her whole life. She doesn't stop a second, not until she reaches the camp, sweating and panting uncontrollably.
"Alice… Is everything ok?" Leliana's voice calls her as she approaches the campfire.
"Y–yes…" she stammers, her breathing erratic.
"Hey, calm down." The bard gets near her, handling her a mug. "Here, drink it."
"Thank–thank you." The blonde woman grabs it, but a strange scent comes out from it "What–what is it?"
"It's wine. Wynne offered it to me."
"Wait– What? Wine? Alcohol? Maker! No– No! Thank you, Leliana. I'm– I'm ok now. I just– I just need to rest." And she disappears inside her tent.