She was half-awake but still feel the presence beside her bed. Someone was here, leaning over her. Without thinking, she reached for the knife under her pillow and swiftly held it to the throat of the intruder.
"Good morning, my lady" Huna's voice reached her ears.
Kallian blinked several times but even with her blurred vision she was able to see the smiling face of the other woman…no signs of fear or surprise. When a civilian woman didn't get startled by a half asleep Warden putting a knife to her throat that meant one thing…the warden was probably the one who should be afraid.
"I was going to wake you up" Huna continued.
Kallian put aside her knife and lay back in the bed.
"It's too early" she grumbled.
"The Teyrn is requesting your presence"
"Tell him to fuck off, I am no military man like him. I hate waking up early" Kallian said closing her eyes.
Huna started opening the curtains and soon the room was bathed in the sweet light of down.
"Get out! Now!" Kallian yelled.
"You have a guest," Huna said, unshaken by Kallian's morning fury.
Kallian's eyes opened wide as she asked expectantly "who?" was it Zevran, or maybe Leliana, or…
"Your husband's future mistress if you don't get out of this bed"
Kallian giggled.
"I was night after you fell asleep a carriage transporting an almost penniless noble widow arrived at the castle. Loghain received her and from the amount of baggage she was carrying one could assume that she is planning on staying several days, or weeks"
"Wait a minute…is this a riddle?"Kallian asked.
"No, this woman was Celia's friend. She is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who bought her an old Bann to marry him but when he died he left her nothing but debts and pitiable lands. Now she must be thinking that a Teyrn with humble origins and an elven wife is a perfect target"
"Let her have him" Kallian yawned.
"You are not fighting for a man you are fighting for your territory," Huna said throwing a dress to Kallian. "Put this on" she continued.
Kallian washed her face and put on the dress that Huna picked for her but when she started arranging her hair the young woman stopped her.
"Don't tie your hair, let it flow over your shoulders,"
"But it is thick and curly and…"
"That's the point, let it cover your ears," Huna said.
"Do you think my ears are too big?"
"Not at all my lady" Huna smiled "but let's make Loghain forget that you are an elf"
Kallian shook her head and laughed as she started moving toward the door.
"one last thing my lady, no Darkspawn ever could be as vicious as the creature you are going to meet right now, so keep your calm and do not allow yourself to be provoked"
Stepping lightly, Kallian entered the dining room. She could only see the back of the woman sitting next to Loghain. She noticed her high pitched laugh, her red hair and then her hand resting on Loghain's forearm.
Suddenly Loghain turned his head toward her, not desirous to make eye contact she began walking to her chair…
"You, elf! Don't you have something better to do than roaming around like a fool" the red head woman said with an annoyed tone.
Kallian froze for a second before slowly turning around to look at the woman 'don't allow yourself to be provoked' Huna's word were still ringing in her ears.
"My lady, let me introduce you Kallian Tabris, commonly known as the Warden," Loghain said.
"Oh my!" the woman giggled, putting her hand over her mouth attempting to look 'cute' as she whispered to Loghain, "it is highly confusing!"
Kallian sat waiting for her meal. She was starving, the kind of hunger that only a warden could feel.
She started with the cheese omelet.
"I can't believe how slow those elven servants are"
The airy texture of the omelet filled with gooey flavorful cheese was heavenly.
"They are making me crazy, it is like those creatures are doing it on purpose."
The combination of the mushroom and caramelized onions was perfect.
"I have to flog them almost every week otherwise the lazy idiots won't do any work"
Nothing could beat the exquisite aroma of the fried potatoes lightly seasoned with rosemary and thyme and their crispy yet creamy texture …
"Sometimes, I feel sorry for them, I guess they can't help being so stupid"
"Not as stupid as an old woman trying to seduce a man whose wife is half your age," Kallian said putting down her fork and looking to the other woman, "and is called Hero of Ferelden."
"I beg your pardon?" the red head said feigning incomprehension.
"You heard me, old hag" Kallian left her seat and walked to the wall to grab one of the swords that were hanged on there.
And when she walked back to the table she could see fear, real fear in the eyes of the 'lady'.
The old woman looked to Loghain silently begging for help but the man was leaning back in his chair looking attentively at the young elf.
"Warden, there must be a misunderstanding…I…"
"I understood you very well," Kallian said nonchalantly waving the sword. "You have a viper in place of your tongue and since I am a warden and not a snake charmer I decided that if you were to utter another word I would have to cut off this venomous beast"
The woman opened her mouth trying to speak but closed it very quickly.
"Good!" Kallian smiled "now, go gather your shit and get the fuck out of my house"
She was still hesitating probably thinking that Loghain wouldn't allow this to happen.
"Now!" Kallian yelled.
Kallian laughed as the older woman rushed toward the stairs stumbling over furniture and cursing under her breath. Something about all this made her feel a sense of satisfaction she hadn't since she stepped inside this castle.
Absorbed in her own thoughts, she didn't pay attention to the man who was now standing behind her until a strong hand closed around her upper arm and forced her to face him.
"Does my house look like one of your alienages, elf?" he spoke through clenched teeth.
Kallian raised her head and looked at him with defiance. His Anger was obvious and easy to read but there was something else, she couldn't figure out. Loghain was panting, his breath coming in short gasps through his flared nostrils, his mouth crooked in dissatisfaction but his eyes…his pupils were so wide that it almost made the blue disappear.
As soon as Kallian's expression went from defiance to confusion, the man, without any hesitation, took the opportunity and pulled her into his embrace.
Nothing was warm about this embrace, just a needy body grinding against hers, two lips bruising her neck and mad hands touching everywhere.
Kallian woke up from her torpor when Loghain grabbed her behind and lifted her up only to put her down on the dining table, without taking his face off her thin neck.
She put her hands on his chest and tried to push him.
"Don't move!" he ordered.
His husky voice made her shiver, not in a good way. Her decision was made when his hand went under her dress. Kallian swiftly moved her arm behind her and grabbed the sword she put there minutes ago. Huna told her to be subtle…how was she supposed to remain subtle and gracious? He wanted to take her as he probably took the young elven girls serving in his domain, thus, losing a finger or two would be a good lesson for him to never do such a thing to any woman again… Huna would have to consider that the fact that she didn't chop his head off was an effort on her part to remain as subtle and gracious as possible.