Chapter 7: Arika's Day

Two months passed.

Life continued in the warden base. Cesare continued his plans to build the wardens into a power in the Free Marches. New recruits were added weekly.

Stroud meanwhile continued his silent campaign to rein in the Commander. He continued to watch, waiting…sometimes hoping that Cesare would do something too extreme, something he could take to the other warden commanders, something that showed that the former crow prince was out of control, unfortunately the commander was too smart for that.

Stroud wasn't surprised. All of his research had shown Cesare to be a cunning and intelligent young man. He was not the type to act rashly. He was a man who analyzed his enemies carefully, waiting for the exactly right moment to pounce. An attack executed by the Commander was one that was flawlessly planned, and never went beyond his place as a warden. Even his purging of Blainswood could be viewed as well within his duties, it was extreme sure, merciless definitely, but not outside of a warden's prerogative.

The senior warden was not pleased about that.

Plus there was Locien's return to their scouting group. The Dalish mage clearly harbored ill feelings for his former compatriots, and many of them towards him. Nug and Arika both wished him dead for what he had done. Nug blamed him for the death of his scouting group. Arika blamed him for Siobhan and Nigel. Had it just been the two of them, Stroud himself might have chosen to end the elf's life. Unfortunately there was nothing Stroud could do; Locien performed his duties without complaint. He obeyed every order without question.

The elf seemed to be a model warden now, but there was more, something much darker.

He watched Carver like some predatory bird, it was clear that the mage blamed the warrior for what he felt was the profaning of his Avatar.

The elf did not act on these feelings, at least not yet, he remained silent, waiting for something. Stroud suspected that Cesare might have something to do with this, part of him wondered if Locien should have an unfortunate accident during one of their battles.

It was tempting that was for sure, but no, if Locien died mysteriously the Commander would likely get suspicious. That was something that Stroud could not allow right now, not if he wanted to find the evidence he needed to bring down the Commander. So they were forced to wait, to have Loki in their camp waiting for the right time to stick a dagger in their backs.

For Stroud…this was frustrating.

Siobhan continued her work on Nigel, trying, and failing, to restore him to humanity. Despair began to creep into the mage's heart and with it a cold certainty.

The Avatar would pay for what it had done to her love.

Bethany meanwhile continued her life in Ansburg. Dividing her time between exploring her own powers and training Solen in the use of his magic, when she was not doing these things, she was spending her time with her new friend Tavia, the elven maid was someone that she could talk to, someone she felt she could trust.

Just as the Commander had hoped, the elven girl's reports on her new friend were quite enlightening. A plan was forming within his mind, to turn Bethany into what he needed her to become.

The first step would begin soon.

Arin continued to see Bethany as much as he could. He had been interested in her since the day he had first seen her, but the more they talked, the more time they spent together, the more than interest grew into actual attraction.

Bethany intrigued him, she wielded power greater than any of the shamans he had seen back in the mountains, and yet she was not arrogant about it. She was…she was so shy, it…it drew him in more and more, binding his heart to her. Sometimes when they would speak he would let slip how skilled he found her, or how beautiful she was.

She would blush and giggle. She…she was so unlike any woman he had ever known. Most of the women he had known were of the mountains and were hard, becoming soft for only the man they had chosen, or had chosen them.

Bethany showed this softness most of the time, but she was not weak. He had watched her working with the elven boy, there was iron in the young mage's spine.

He…he found that intriguing as well.

He wanted her more and more. He longed to claim her, to make her his mate, but caution reined him in. She was not a woman from the mountains after all.

He needed to understand more.

IOI

Arika strode down the corridors of the fortress on Ansburg. She was…feeling a little nervous this morning. Part of her did not want to do this, but…she had promised Carver, and when it came to her beloved she tried to remember her honor first and foremost.

She gritted her teeth; these…apprehensions were not feelings of a warrior, a reaver of the mountains of Nevarra.

She could do this, she needed to do this.

She would speak with Bethany today…she would…visit with her.

Her stomach was twisted into nervous knots.

What in the dragon's name was she supposed to talk about? Bethany was a lowlander true, but she was also something far more. Arika could not forget that fact. Carver insisted that she get to know Bethany that the two engage in…what did he call it, girl talk?"

The reaver did not understand, what was this girl talk?

Part of her wished to confer with Siobhan, but the mage was no longer accepting visitors, she had grown more and more distant. Now, not even a good friend was welcome in her presence.

The saddened Arika greatly.

It was troubling, this entire situation was so very troubling, and her dear brother was not helping any.

Their conversation earlier today still disturbed her.

IOI

They had been sparring; it had been a long time since she had tested her mettle against her brother. The last time she had been lost in the crushing grip of sadness, he had nearly killed her.

She had recovered since that time. She was eager to defeat him.

Their blades had been locked together; they had been staring eye to eye.

"I intend to challenge your mate sister," he said.

The proclamation threw her, she barely recovered, he launched a new attack that might have killed her.

Reavers did not hold back, not even during training. Death was a constant companion. Every warrior understood that.

She narrowed her eyes renewing her focus.

"Has Carver done something to anger you brother?" she asked.

"No," he answered, "I seek to show him my mettle, to prove myself worthy."

She lunged pushing her brother back.

"No," she murmured.

"You will not help me?"

"I did not say that," she replied, "I mean that you do not seek Carver's approval."

"Really?" his eyebrows rose slightly, "Then what do you think I seek?"

"I think you seek to prove yourself worthy of Bethany." She said flatly.

Arin frowned.

He did not respond, but he did not need to…

He was her brother after all.

The two reavers circled each other, both looking for a weak spot in the others defenses.

"Challenging Carver will not win Bethany's affection brother."

"I have gained her interest sister," he informed her, "I…I have seen her watching me during training, and we have spoken often. All that remains now is to prove myself to her family, and then she will see that I am worthy, that I will be a strong mate."

If only it was that simple, she thought.

Lowlanders were so complicated.

They lunged at each other, neither gaining the advantage, both were focused, neither willing to yield.

They disengaged again.

"Have you spoken with the girl?" she asked him, "About how you feel?"

"About this…no."

Arika resisted a sigh; she was starting to think that she had been gone far too long from her mountains.

She was starting to think like a lowlander, that was not necessarily a good thing.

"Bethany would likely not see an attack on her brother as a way to begin a proper courtship," Arika replied, "She…she is not like us."

He lowered his blade, a frown deepened his features.

"Then how do I precede sister?" he asked, "I…I am…I am intrigued by Bethany. I wish to see if she would have me."

She sheathed her sword.

"I'm…I'm not sure."

"But…you and Carver are together," he said, "You have agreed to marry him in the lowland way. Surely…you must have some insight."

"It was very difficult for Carver and me," she said softly, "He defeated me, earned the right to have me, but did not claim his prize… not at first," Arika smiled slightly, those days had been so frustrating. Carver's refusal to claim her only added to his mystique. Finally, the hunger became to be too much; she pulled him into an alley and forced the issue.

It had been…an exciting end to their…courtship.

Alas, she was not sure how best for Arin to proceed. What she had done with Carver would not work on his sister.

"You must be patient," she advised.

He snorted angrily.

"Curse lowland custom," he spat, "In the mountains…"

"We are not in the mountains," she reminded him, "We are here, and we have both come to see the value of being here, yes?"

Arin shook his head, but finally…he nodded.

Arika smiled wanly.

"How do I let her know how I feel sister?"

"I…I shall speak with her this afternoon," she promised him, "Carver wishes for me to get to know her. While there…I shall inquire…discreetly if she has feelings for anyone. It is better this way, if another has caught her eye…you shall not have to risk being rejected a second time."

The male reaver cursed, his rejection of a woman of his own clan had driven him here in the first place. He had come down from the mountains to die.

Bethany made him feel like he wanted to live again, for the first time since he had left their village.

"I…shall be patient," he whispered, "But I would rather that Carver know that I seek her as my own. He is a warrior born, as am I."

Arika did her best to suppress an ironic snort, Carver was very protective of Bethany, if Arin just blurted out what he wanted, and that might turn into an actual fight.

Arika had no desire to see her brother or her mate harmed.

So she would speak with Bethany tonight, and test the waters so to speak, for Arin's sake.

Dragons help her.

IOI

She made her way to Bethany's quarters, her conversation with Arin still weighing heavily on her mind.

She nearly collided with a small blonde haired elven girl.

The elf backed up, bowing respectfully.

"Forgive me warden," she said curtseying, "I…I was not watching where I was going."

"I take no offense," the reaver responded, "I was…distracted myself."

"Mistress is kind," the elf said keeping her eyes low.

Arika gave the girl a curious look.

"I have seen you here before, yes?"

The elf nodded.

"I am Tavia," she said, "I work as a maid in this part of the fortress."

"I have seen you speaking with the mage here," she said flatly.

"Yes," the girl replied, "Lady Bethany…she…she is my friend."

Arika's stance softened. She recognized that she was likely intimidating the poor girl, taking out her frustrations on one who did not deserve it.

"I…I mean you no harm," she told the elf, "I was on my way to see the mage. You may join me if you like."

The elf pushed her long bangs out of her eyes, she smiled shyly.

She nodded in the affirmative.

Bethany's guards let them pass without trouble. Arika did not see the need for such guards within the fortress.

Who in the wardens would seek to harm the girl?

Then she remembered Siobhan.

Perhaps…perhaps the guards were a reasonable precaution.

Bethany sat upon the floor before the rooms hearth, Solen was with her. Bethany had been teaching him meditation techniques; techniques that would help him gain greater control over his magic.

Bethany opened her eyes. She smiled at the two arrivals.

"Hello Arika," she said warmly, "Carver told me to expect you."

The reaver nodded.

"Hello Tavia," she added, "Are you done with work for the day?"

At the mention of the girl's name Solen rose quickly, wiping his hands on his trousers.

Had he known that the girl was coming he might have cleaned up before she had arrived.

The elven girl blushed; she refused to meet his eyes.

"H…hello… So…Solen," she said shyly.

"Hell…hello," he responded, "Excuse me mistress," he said to Bethany, "But…I…I just remembered that that stable master wanted to see me…to…today."

The mage lips curved slightly, not a smile…but close.

"Very well," she said, "Remember to practice the exercises I taught you."

Y…yes…" he murmured, "Ex…excuse me, good bye…good bye Ta…Tavia."

The girl nodded.

Solen hurried past the two women.

Arika gave the mage a curious look.

What was that about?

Bethany smiled.

"Solen is very talented," she said, "But his emotions still get the better of him. I…I think he might have a slight crush on Tavia here."

"Bethany!" the girl hissed; she turned bright scarlet.

Arika smiled.

"There is no shame in acknowledging that a man desires you," the reaver reminded her.

The elf nodded, still blushing.

Arika turned to the mage.

"Carver wishes us to…talk. Get to know each other."

Bethany chuckled.

"At least he is not embarrassed of me," she said, "When we were young; he did not want anyone to know that he was related to mages. I suppose this is a step forward."

Arika snorted.

"I have faced similar attitudes as a reaver," she replied, "Most lowlanders see my people as barbarians, unfit for their society."

The mage gave her a sad look.

"We share that in common then, most Andrastians would prefer if mages just went away as well we…"

A loud keening alarm interrupted her, a loud horn, then the sound of loud voices in the courtyard below; there was a flash of light outside the window.

The room shook.

"What was that?" Tavia shrieked.

Arika's eyes narrowed.

"That is the intruder alarm," she replied, "The keep is under attack!"

The reaver sprang for the door, she rushed past the guards.

Bethany tried to follow.

"You should stay here," one of them ordered.

She glared at him.

"People may be injured," she said, "They may need my help."

The guard did not try to argue with her, he stepped out of the way.

Bethany ran passed him.

They fell in step after her.

They still had a job to do.