Grey Wardens

Wisteria and a Crow disguised as a servant waited to be greeted in the Grey Warden compound, the morning of the next day. Several men met them in the entryway.

One, a man in his mid-30's Wisteria guessed, introduced himself as Warden-Commander Lorenzo Becchi. He made a formal bow and then kissed her hand in an Antivan flourish.

"I am pleased to meet you, Command Becchi." Wisteria returned the polite bow.

One of the men with Becchi took her bags. Wisteria turned to the Crow, "You may go." She told her.

"Madame, I can help you settle into your quarters before I return." She said politely. Wisteria figured Zevran had additional orders for her. She could only guess they involved relaying tactical information back to him should it be needed.

She followed the men as they lead the way to her room. The Commander was rather nice looking. Dark and swarthy, a little like a younger version of Duncan. He made small talk as they walked, asking her about her journey. She didn't volunteer the information she had been in Antiva already a few days. She felt like she was mostly recovered from her lengthy bender. She thought if she even saw brandy again though, or worse smelled it, she would probably become nauseous. She hoped she got over that soon. She made up details of her journey she had no memory of, like the weather and the smoothness of the water and such.

Wisteria watched the Crow look around attentively marking any landmarks she could see outside.

Lorenzo was fascinated by Wisteria. A Warden-Commander and the girl couldn't be more than a couple dozen years old. She was a beauty too. A delicious frisson passed over him as he imagined touching that thick black hair, those delicate lips... He could understand why an army would follow her, simply out of lust. He got control of himself.

"Commander Cousland, could we chat privately for a few minutes before you rest?" Becchi asked her when they reached her room.

Wisteria watched the Crow out of the corner of her eye as she unpacked her belongings. She was making note of landmarks and buildings outside her windows. The Crow made a point of letting Wisteria see she had slipped a note into the stack of her small clothes, and she tucked them into a dresser drawer. Wisteria made a small nod in her direction.

"Of course, Commander Becchi, please come in", she gestured the Commander into her sitting room. He waved away the other Wardens, he didn't pay any attention to the servant.

"Please call me Lorenzo."

"I will, if you will call me Wisteria."

"Very well, Wisteria..." Lorenzo smiled at her. "As I'm sure you know, the Grey Wardens are eager to hear of what happened recently in Amaranthine. There has never been such an outbreak of darkspawn activity so soon after a blight and we want to know what you encountered. There is also concern about the unrest in Amaranthine over the burning of the city." He cleared his throat. "Please understand Wisteria, we're all well aware of the difficult choices Grey Wardens make when fighting darkspawn, however there will be many questions and some of the Wardens are not known for their finesse."

Wisteria nodded, "I expected there might be some disagreement with my decisions".

"Ferelden is a tricky country for us. We're still not entirely trusted there. Our presence there is very small still. What you did made you a hero, both here and in your own country, but it also made you enemies too. Not just in your country, but within the Grey Wardens."

Wisteria straightened up and couldn't prevent the look of surprise that flashed across her face. "Enemies in the Grey Wardens? Why?"

"Some feel you are too young for the responsibilities you've been given. Others are just jealous of your success. Don't worry too much, it is inevitable." Lorenzo felt a little pity for the young commander. They're going to rake her over the coals. He could see the worry creep into her face. "Just be strong and don't show any weakness."

Wisteria could feel tension growing in her shoulders and neck. She nodded. "So... Lorenzo, why are you warning me?"

Lorenzo smiled the sort of smile she'd seen on Zevran's face many times, one tinged with concupiscence. "Perhaps I'm one of the ones who think you are too young... and too beautiful by far. But in my case, that doesn't make me an enemy, just an admirer."

Wisteria could feel her temper rising. Great, even this one doesn't take me seriously. She painted her face with a smile but her eyes flashed angrily. It was time to prove herself, to this man and the others.

"I should leave you to rest, Wisteria." Lorenzo got up and bent over Wisteria's hand again.

"Actually, I've been cooped up on a ship for quite awhile and think I could do with a little exercise." She got up and rolled her head as if stretching out some knots. "Commander, could I make use of your training facilities? I need to knock the rust off my joints."

Lorenzo looked surprised. "Of course," he said, "If you'd like a sparring partner, I have some time free..." he offered.

"I'd be delighted." I'd be delighted to see you on your back with my dagger against your windpipe, you smarmy ass. "I just need to change."

"Excellent! I look forward to seeing how the Hero of Ferelden managed to defeat all those darkspawn." His eyes flashed in anticipation. "I'll go change myself and come back and escort you to our facilities".

"See you soon", she shut the door on Lorenzo.

The Crow had finished unpacking her things.

"Commander, Master Arainai has a note he wants you to read, I think you saw where I put it?"

Wisteria nodded. Hearing Zevran called "Master Arainai" was truly odd.

"He also asked that we devise some way to know if you need our assistance."

Wisteria rolled her eyes.

"This large white pitcher can be our signal. If you put it in the sitting room window, it means you need help. If you put it on the right side of your dresser, there in front of the window in your bedroom, it means you want to talk to Master Arainai. If it is nighttime, use a lighted candle or lamp instead."

Wisteria sighed at his paranoia. "This is unnecessary. Please tell him I'm not in any danger."

The Crow bowed, arms crossed, and left.

I have a date, Wisteria thought. She went to her armoire and opened it. This isn't mine. There was a new set of armor in there. It was beautiful. Leather. Light but sturdy. Unlike her old stuff, it was sleek, form fitting, contoured. Fewer belts and buckles. It looked like it would really move with her. She pulled it out, there was a note pinned to it.

I hope this fits -- Z.

She wanted to try it on, but thought she might command more respect if she wore her old armor. It was well-worn which spoke of her many battles. Her eyes flicked to the new armor. Its gorgeous. So sleek. She bit her lip with indecision and decided.

*****

Lorenzo almost didn't catch himself before he gasped. The door opened to his knock and Wisteria stood before him, clad in what he could only describe as wickedness. The armor she wore was sleek, black leather. Smooth as sin. The pants buckled below the waist in a wide matching belt. Everything followed her curves. Her daggers were strapped to her back in matching sheathes, studded with shiny rivets. Her black hair was braided neatly.

"Are you ready Commander?" Lorenzo asked, falling back on formalities in his astonishment.

"I am", Wisteria walked beside him down the hallway and they went outside to a well appointed training grounds.

He wore a suit of silverite scale mail. It glittered but looked rather worn. His mail clinked as he walked, she walked silently, her boots were whisper quiet. He stole some furtive glances to see how she could walk in armor that form fitting, it just seemed to move with her like a second skin. He had a hard time not staring.

The training area was busy. There were some sessions taking place with recruits and more experienced Grey Wardens. They found appropriate training weapons with dulled edges. He chose a longsword and shortsword, she took two daggers.

Some of the recruits were starting to look over at them. The Wardens leading the training were yelling to get their attention back.

Lorenzo and Wisteria bowed to each other and assumed guard. Wisteria said, "Fight!"

He attacked first, a tentative flick with is longsword, but she gracefully moved, just enough to not be there. He circled, her cautiously, trying to get a feel for her weakness. He definitely had reach on her with the longsword. If he kept his distance she would tire of dodging. He made another tentative attack and this time she parried neatly.

"Stop fighting me like I'm a little girl", Wisteria hissed at him.

"But you are," Lorenzo replied, his eyes now openly raking her body.

Wisteria felt her temper surging. It was just what she had been wanting. That fire back in her belly, it had been gone too long. She made a series of attacks simply to judge his defenses, not really expecting any opportunities yet. He parried them all but she had nearly closed with him and that left him a little off-balance. People who fight with edged weapons sometimes forget they have legs. That would be useful.

Lorenzo was startled by the intensity of her attacks. He got back to guard then lunged. He didn't expect her kick and his sword went flying out of his hand. She stood off and let him regroup. He switched his shortsword to his mainhand. She flung one of her daggers away, it stuck into the ground.

"Now we're even", she smiled sweetly.

Neither combatant noticed that all the other training in the grounds had come to a halt as everyone was watching the fight between their commander and the woman in black armor.

Wisteria was careful, he was going to be more wary now that she had relieved him of his main weapon. She feinted, dodged, parried, but made no move strike him with her dagger even when he left openings she knew she could take. She had a plan. Finally he made the mistake she was looking for. A lunge that carried his weight forward, she sidestepped and then turned, chopping down with the pommel of her dagger to deliver a sharp painful blow to an area she knew was full of sensitive nerve endings. His hand went numb and he dropped his sword.

She backed off allowing him to regroup. She threw away her last dagger. Now her smile got even sweeter. "Come Commander Becchi, we're still even." She beckoned to him, taunting him. She saw his sly smile come back.

She realized she walked a tight-rope. She needed the respect of these fighters but humiliating their commander would only earn her enemies. She knew her fighting technique was unusual, some might think unfair. But she knew her own weaknesses well. She wasn't as strong as a man, she couldn't put much weight behind her attacks, she had to rely on quickness and knowledge of body mechanics to fight. She could still easily dislocate joints, break limbs and fingers, without a weapon. She suspected she could even kill without a weapon, although she'd never done it.

Lorenzo held up a hand. "Grappling then?" He leered at her. "I think that would be more fun without this, don't you?" He gestured to his scale mail.

"As you wish, Commander."

The audience that had gathered behind them shouted their approval. Money started to pass hands as bets were taken. Commander Lorenzo stripped off his mail, clad now in cotton shirt and trousers, much easier to move in.

Wisteria realized she needed to lose this fight, but only barely. Pity, I would so love to rub his face in the dirt.

The onlookers quieted as they began to circle. Wisteria was crouched low, weight easily distributed over her feet. She made a quick spring at him, and he tried to grapple her, but she was gone just as quickly. He gathered himself and this time launched himself at her, again she stepped to the side. Only this time she helped him along his path and added to his momentum and he fell, so did she, but she was up quickly, rolling to her feet. She waited for him to rise.

Now it was time to lose, she hoped he didn't punish her too badly. He looked angry. She took a deep breath and attacked clumsily. He didn't miss his opportunity and she found herself falling to the ground with his bulk on top of her. She went down with a loud "Ooooph" and her rib cage protested in pain. His hands pinned hers to the ground. She was thoroughly pinned, couldn't move out from under his bulk.

"I concede, Commander. Well fought." Wisteria said it loud enough to carry to the onlookers.

Lorenzo smiled at her lazily, not moving. "Next time we'll both have to stop faking it." He spoke, sotto voce, into her ear. He rolled off her and extended a hand to help her up.

Wisteria accepted his hand and smiled, genuinely amused. Were we both trying to throw the fight to the other?

They bowed again respectfully to one another.

"Next time?" she said hopefully. "I'm ready to go again if you are. That was an adequate warm-up." She smiled wickedly. She was beginning to like Lorenzo.

He laughed loudly. "No, my dear, you've quite worn me out. But I have a feeling you'd have no end of volunteers if you wished to continue." He kissed her hand again and drew her to the crowd.

"Grey Wardens, let me introduce to you Commander Cousland of Ferelden. She's looking for a sparring partner if any of you wish to oblige."

There was a stunned silence, then a few men stepped forward.

"Take your pick, Commander Cousland."

Wisteria appraised the men, "Commander Becchi, which of these men would fight me as they would another man. I don't want anyone being gentle simply because of my rank or my gender."

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow in thought, "I think you might find Captain Scarlatti would be the challenge you're seeking." Wisteria nodded her assent. Lorenzo walked off a ways with her, so they could speak privately a moment. "Be wary of him, he's not one of your admirers. Don't be so polite with him." He collected his armor and withdrew to an observation area.

Wisteria beckoned to the Captain. She gathered up her training daggers and dusted off her armor and bowed to her new opponent.

Lorenzo had been right, he was vicious. It was the perfect match for her. Again she disarmed her opponent, and herself, and battled him without weapons. Her fighting style was coming along nicely and her training yesterday with Zevran had helped hone her skills for today. She took a few vicious blows from the Captain but managed to dislocate his shoulder which ended the match. After he conceded she snapped his shoulder back into place, apologizing profusely for the pain. She bowed to her opponent, but he didn't return the courtesy.

Another volunteer came forward, an elf who looked like he might be a serious challenge. He was small and lithe like her. Probably knew the same tricks she knew. But she was getting tired. Lorenzo came forward and intercepted her before she could start a third match. "Captain Beriel, another time I think. The Commander has had a long journey and would probably like a chance to refresh herself before our meetings begin this afternoon."

The Captain nodded and smiled, "I hope we get the opportunity to spar in the future, Commander Cousland."

"Tomorrow if there's time, Captain." She smiled warmly at him. Wondering whether he was an admirer or an enemy. Or perhaps there was an "undecided" camp too. If so, she thought that camp was probably growing smaller now.

"I will walk you back to your room, Wisteria." Lorenzo definitely had a new found respect for her. As they walked back, no one else was in the hallways so he spoke, "I must apologize for my lack of respect earlier. You demonstrated today you have what it takes to be a Grey Warden. I don't think anyone will make the mistake of thinking your youth and looks had anything to do with your position. Although more than just me thought Duncan was a besotted old fool when he recruited you."

They reached her room and Lorenzo held the door for her. "Can we speak more for a few moments?"

"Of course, come in." Wisteria gestured for him to sit. She poured them both a glass of water. She noticed there wasn't a brandy decanter in the room. Probably a good thing. Her hair was drenched in sweat and she had a raging thirst.

Lorenzo sighed as he sat down, the chair felt good. "Don't you have anything stronger than that here? Hmmm... I'll have that rectified."

Wisteria shook her head. "No need, I prefer water."

"Anyway, I respect what you did out there, throwing the match to me. Very well played. Many young people, especially men, wouldn't have kept their wits about them especially when they knew they were being toyed with."

Wisteria laughed merrily. "So I did read that right? I warn you, next time I may not be so polite."

Lorenzo smiled again with a hint of slyness, "I hope not. Next time, I promise you'll find out why they call me Lorenzo, the Lion. And if we ever grapple again, lets do it somewhere more comfortable and private, hmmm?"

Wisteria tried to squelch her anger and failed. "You're still not taking me seriously, are you?" She asked Lorenzo bluntly, her eyes challenging him.

His eyes widened in surprised. She wasn't just a warrior on the battlefield, she used the same surprising maneuvers in verbal sparring too.

"Forgive me. I forget you're from Ferelden. You might find that Antivans are a hot-blooded people. It's the weather and all the spicy food, I think. We just can't resist flirting with beautiful women. Besides, they'd probably hurt us if we didn't." He grinned.

"I'll make it easy for you then, don't think of me as a woman."

Lorenzo tried to suppress a smile. "That's a little hard to do when you're dressed like that."

"All right, point taken." Wisteria conceded her armor was a little much. She paused, wondering how far she could trust Lorenzo, she desperately needed a mentor. "Was it a mistake to wear it?"

Lorenzo thought for a moment. "I'm trying to think with my brain and not other parts of my anatomy and finding that very difficult looking at you. If that's the reaction you wanted then no, it wasn't a mistake. Although there is a certain intimidation factor... and watching you fight certainly increases that intimidation. It is bold too."

He paused, thinking. "You have to be fierce, confident, even dangerous to wear that armor properly. When you fight I see those qualities in you. But right now, I think you're too pretty, too soft, too... nice."

He could tell what was on her mind. "I think to meet the Senior Grey Wardens you might want to dress a little more conservatively but bring your attitude you brought to the training grounds."

Wisteria smiled sheepishly. "Yes, thanks. I didn't quite know how to come out and ask a fellow Warden-Commander 'What should I wear tonight?' You people really do need to recruit more women so I could have a role model or two."

Lorenzo laughed. "You are the role-model, dear. And you know, you have disarmed me once again. You need to stop doing that. A man needs his weapons, especially with a woman like you."

Wisteria smiled warmly. "So, is there anything else I should know for tonight?"

"Tonight won't be difficult. There will be a reception and you'll be introduced, then a dinner in your honor. There's a General here from the Anderfels. He didn't come expressly for this, he just happened to be here but I'm sure he'll be involved later."

"I'd better go. I'll send someone up with hot water for your bath. I'll be back in a couple of hours to take you to the reception." He got up and she rose too, he raked his eyes over her again in her armor and held his hands up defensively when she looked angry. "Just be sure to wear that whenever you spar, the deadly sex goddess thing works for you."

Wisteria shut the door with a little more vigor than was strictly required and heard him chuckling as he walked down the hall.