Sorrows and Delights Chapter 7

Istabella was deep asleep when the sound of banging and crashing in her room woke her up. She squinted in the dim light of the room, groggy and disoriented and saw Zevran fighting with another person. The fire had burned low but it was enough to see by and she saw the silver steel colors of daggers flying. Istabella immediately rolled herself onto the floor. She reached for her short sword next to the bed and prepared to enter the fray. However things did not quite happen the way she planned. The attacker smashed a tankard on Zevran's head and sent him staggering into the small receiving room. The assailant then turned around and stabbed Drake, who went down with a tremendous yelp.

Istabella felt the cold iron grip of fear as she lunged to get to her dog, but the attacker prevented her from doing so. The person lunged at Istabella so fast that the impact sent both of them backwards onto the bed. Istabella was forced to drop her sword in order to subdue the attacker's hands. They held the most lethal daggers she had ever seen and it was apparent this intruder was bent on killing her swiftly. The attacker, she realized all of a sudden, was a female.

The wrists she held were small and soft to the touch. No man she knew of had hands like that. Either way it did not matter as the woman sitting on top of her was fast, quick and surprisingly strong. It took all of Istabella's skill to keep a hold of those daggers. But the attackers still managed to yank one wrist free and moved her weapon in a slicing motion aimed at Istabella's throat. Istabella was barely able to dodge in time so instead of it cutting her throat she got a nasty slash on her upper chest.

Filtering through the doorway she could hear shouts of alarm coming from her companion's rooms. Zevran had not come out of the chamber and she called out his name. She got no response and could not believe it when she began to panic. She could handle just about any enemy but this small thing was proving more than her match.

Knowing she needed help and fast Istabella screamed out to Fergus and Leliana hoping someone would hear her. She heard Fergus's voice booming through the hallway which startled her attacker. Istabella took that split second opportunity to yank the girl's wrist around and shove the dagger into her attacker's chest. It missed but went into the soft throat area instead. The girl rose up attempting to pull the dagger out of her throat as blood poured down her front. Istabella snatched up her sword that lay by her head and shoved into the girl's gut then removed it.

The girl slumped forward on top of Istabella, her dead weight coming to rest on Istabella's chest. She let out a groan as she began to push the body off of her.

"Istabella? Sweet Maker don't you dare be dead!" Zevran said staggering in seeing the attacker on top of Istabella. He grabbed the attacker's clothing and pulled it off Istabella. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was alive.

"What the hell is going on here?" Fergus exclaimed coming into the room followed by Wynne, Leliana, Oghren, Sten and Shale, all but the last, half dressed with weapons ready for a fight.

"Someone just tried to kill your sister again!" Zevran said as he helped Istabella stand up. When Zevran saw the blood all over her tunic and the bleeding gash on her chest, he cursed. Without thinking he raised her tunic up to look at her midsection and nearly fainted when he saw there was no stab wound. The blood was from the attacker.

Istabella quickly yanked her tunic down saying, "I am all right for the most part."

But Istabella was not concerned with herself at the moment. She hurried over and knelt down next to Drake. He was whining plaintively as a dagger was stuck in his shoulder. Istabella breathed a partial sigh of relief. A few more inches and it would have pierced his heart. The thought of losing her dog made tears well up in her eyes and slip down her cheeks.

"Shhhh, I am here Drake. Hold still so I can get the dagger out." Istabella said crooning to the hound. She grabbed the hilt and quickly yanked it out. Blood seeped out from the wound so she used the hem of her tunic to staunch it.

"All of you move out of the way and let me in here." Wynne said in an authoritative voice pushing aside Oghren and Fergus.

She came to kneel down beside Istabella saying in a soothing voice, "Now, now dear one don't cry. It is not a mortal wound and the hound will be back on his feet in a few moments."

Her voice not only calmed Istabella but Drake as well. As Wynne worked her magic Leliana and Fergus went over to where the black clad body lay on the floor. Sten shut the door and lit candles with a taper from the fire. Fergus removed the scarf the girl wore and examined her. She was a young elf and looked rather plain and ordinary. "What is she Leliana? Do you know?" Fergus asked as they searched her body.

Leliana studied the girl then asked "Zevran, if someone is a Crow how can you tell?"

Zevran replied in a slightly dazed voice, "Look at the back of the neck and upper shoulder areas. Depending on what Crow cell you are in, usually there are tattooed markings in the area. Each cell has their own specific symbol so we can identify each other." He instructed her as he took the folded cloth that Sten handed him.

Leliana searched the areas and beyond with Fergus but they found nothing. Getting suspicious Leliana looked at the daggers the girl was carrying and the manner of her dress. She wasn't in armor but was wearing simple peasant garb of black tunic and pants with soft leather boots. The daggers were also of exceptional quality and Orlesian make.

"Well she is definitely not a Crow. Not only does she have no tattoos but I recognize the daggers she carries. She is a bard, like I was." Leliana said taking the daggers and showing them to Istabella. Istabella had come over by her, seeing that Drake would heal up just fine under Wynne's care.

"Okay this is just too much right now. First I get jumped in the market square by some shiny armored thugs, and then I get woken up in the middle of the night and nearly killed a second time. So am I pissing off people in Orlais now?" Istabella said in an exasperated and irritated tone. "I am getting just a bit tired of this attempting to kill me crap!"

"I wonder if this is also connected to Howe. Zevran didn't you say that the thugs who tried to get you earlier mentioned Howe?" Leliana asked.

"Yes they did. What surprises me is that whoever keeps these people on hand, made a risky and foolish attempt tonight. Not many stupid people are desperate enough to risk two assassinations in one night." Zevran snorted sitting down on the bed.

He watched as Istabella went back to Drake's side. After several minutes Wynne was able to get Drake to his feet. The hound had only a slight scar that remained but it would soon be gone. He could not help but smile as Istabella threw her arms around her Mabari's neck. The hound was her twin in animal form and Zevran knew if Istabella lost Drake she would never recover from it.

Satisfied that Drake was fine, Wynne went over to Zevran and looked at his head. "Well she conked you quite hard on the head. Good thing that tankard was wooden and not metal." Zevran sighed as soothing warmth enveloped his head and the pain receded.

"Perhaps we should be moved to another wing of the palace. I am beginning to have my doubts on the safety of this one." Sten said still standing in the doorway to the bedchamber.

Istabella looked up at him from the floor and nodded. "I have to admit I am in agreement. I was wrong in thinking that there wouldn't be a second attack. But once whoever hired her learns the attempt to kill me failed, they won't try again. I am almost willing to bet a purse full of sovereigns on that." She got up and moved to the bed where Zevran and Wynne sat. "I will talk to Anora tomorrow. She is going to be livid when she finds out."

Shale stood in the antechamber behind Sten. Even though he filled the doorway the golem was able to see over his shoulder. "The squishy queen is going to be more than livid when she sees the mess it created. Hence the reason why I am glad to be golem and since I am the only who does not sleep, I will stand guard the rest of the night. Or at least what is left of the night. I can always count one thing since you found me. Traveling with it is never, never dull." Shale said looking at Istabella then going out into the hallway.

Istabella shook her head wondering when and if the golem was ever going to call her by her given name. She had grown used to being called it and almost considered a term of endearment on Shale's part.

"Zevran are you all right?" Istabella asked inspecting his forehead after Wynne was done.

"I am fine mi amore. You should be worried more about yourself though." He said pointing to her chest.

She had forgotten about the cut on her chest. In the excitement of everything she had not felt pain until now as Zevran pointed it out. The cut was painful and it was still seeping blood.

"All you men folk vacate except for us women. I need to tend to Istabella." Wynne ordered shooing the men out of the chamber.

Oghren hauled Zevran out by the arm who lingered in the doorway, "Come on fancy fingers. You can ogle the Warden another time."

Istabella rolled her eyes and Leliana shut the bedchamber door behind them. Wynne removed the shirt and handed it off to Leliana. Leliana went over to the fireplace and stacked wood on the dying embers. When she had coaxed a good blaze she threw the shirt onto the fire.

Istabella was grateful for the new fire as the room was becoming chilly since she was half naked. Her skin was tinged red with drying blood both hers and the assassin's. The shirt she has worn managed to soak up most of it. She sighed as Wynne's gentle touch chased away the pain. When the cut was healed Leliana helped her rinse off in the bath basin. When she was clean she put on a fresh tunic, one of Alistair's and surveyed the room.

It was a mess of broken furniture and blood. Istabella rubbed at her forehead wearily saying, "Well let's get that body rolled up in the carpet shall we?"

The elf was laid out lengthwise on the carpet and the three women rolled her up tight like sausage roll. They dragged the carpet to the wall and left it there. They straightened the room as much as possible piling the busted table and broken chair in a heap.

As they finished up Wynne said, "You are not sleeping in here tonight are you?"

Istabella shook her head, "No I think I will sleep in the lounge area for tonight. I could have Zevran pick the locks on one of the other guest rooms though." Istabella mused as she pulled off the bedcover and grabbed a pillow.

The boys and Drake were waiting in the hallway for them. Zevran cocked his head when he saw the blanket and pillow. "Just where do you think you are going to sleep at?"

"In the lounge room for now. That big chaise lounge in there looks mighty comfortable." Istabella said.

"You can stay in my room Istabella. I will sleep on the couch in the antechamber." Zevran said.

Everyone looked at him giving him an "I know what you are up to" look. Zevran sighed exasperated, "Look I am only suggesting it because of out all of you I am the quickest against enemy rogues. I am a light sleeper and I will know it if anyone tries to break into my room."

Istabella saw the doubt on her companions faces, particularly her brother's. "Zevran is right. If an obscure attempt is made again he will be the first to know it. I don't care where I sleep as long as it is safe and peaceful. I am tired and quite frankly getting a little cranky here." Istabella said irritably.

Everyone knew that when Istabella got cranky it wasn't a pretty sight or experience. Telling each other goodnight, Istabella and Drake followed Zevran next door to his room. He locked the door after they entered. His room was set up much like hers and with a bed that could hold Drake, Zevran and herself. True to his word Zevran took the top blanket, a pillow and headed towards the couch.

"Zevran? You don't have to sleep on the couch. There is plenty of room for you to sleep in the bed." Istabella said following him.

Zevran laughed as he set up his place on the couch. "Ah my dear Warden, any other time I would not miss a chance to sleep with you close to me. But if anyone touches that door knob I will know it. So for tonight I think it is best." He came up to her and kissed her hand.

Istabella was rather astounded and flabbergasted. Granted, his reasoning made perfect sense, but turning down sleeping in the same bed with her was a bit more than perplexing. She knew Zevran had a thing for her. Everyone knew this including Zevran himself. She was not sure how to interpret this behavior in him.

"Well you know you can always change your mind if the couch gets uncomfortable. Drake usually sleeps as the foot of the bed if he is not sleeping in front of the fireplace. He won't be bothered if you are in the same bed as us."

Zevran grinned at her, "I will keep that in mind mi amore. Now off to bed with you."

Istabella did as she was told and sure enough Drake bounded on top of the covers taking his normal place at the foot of the bed. He sprawled his full length out sighing contentedly. Istabella shook her head and snuggled under the covers. Within minutes she was fast asleep.

Istabella could hear the whisperings and dark shadows darting around in the cave. Darkspawn were everywhere. She could feel it. But they were not coming towards her. They were going away from her, deep, deep into the earth. The primal urge to find an Old God burned in their veins; she could also feel it in the core of her being. She could feel the driving urge of corruption. But there was something else in the vast darkness, something she had never sensed before. An intelligent curiosity was nearby and called forth. Unable to resist the call she followed the beckoning feeling. The chamber she entered was a massive stone built structure. She looked around trying to pinpoint the intelligent being nearby. But it seemed to shift and move. Finally she located it standing on the edge of a rock face. There was a bright light behind it so she could not see it features. She just knew it was very tall and not like any darkspawn she had ever encountered. There was another smaller figure next to it but it was not a darkspawn. This was someone who was once living but had allowed the taint to transform it.

The tall creature pointed at the far wall behind Istabella. "I do not seek to rule my brethren. I only seek to release them from their chains. I did find the old god Urthemiel but starting another Blight was not my intention. "

Istabella turned to see two figures emerge from the wall. One was a dwarf that was now fully tainted. It's sick, glowing silver eyes stared at her intently. The other taller one came forward and Istabella thought she recognized its form but couldn't make it out.

Then the scene changed abruptly and she was on the top of Fort Drakon. She was reliving the awful moment when Alistair sunk the sword into the Archdemon's head. Once again the tall figure stood shadowed and pointed at the dragon. "Blood is the key to freedom. Blood will stop the call of the Old Gods."

Istabella screamed as Alistair looked up and she saw the taint had fully taken him too. His eyes were a sickly silver color and his skin had dark mottled patches. She let out a howl of agony and sorrow reaching for him. Then all went dark, the scene before her disappeared and she was left alone with the whispering shadows.

"Istabella, wake up!" Zevran said trying to grab her wrists as she thrashed in the bed.

She sat bolt upright crying out in pure blind terror. Her eyes were wild with fright and tears. Zevran grabbed her face with his hands repeating her name. "Istabella! It is all right mi amore. You are safe here with me." He forced her to look at him as he talked, "It was a dream, amore, a nightmare and that is all. Grey Wardens can still have nightmares even when a Blight is over correct?"

She shook her head, "No it wasn't. They took him somehow and he turned. They all turned, not darkspawn but something different. He looked like them but yet he didn't. How did they get him? He is dead! Then the shadows began to move and whisper and then talk. They were everywhere crawling in me, on my skin… " Istabella's voice shook as her body began to shake uncontrollably.

Zevran folded her into his arms and she did not resist. She clung to him as if her very life depended on it. It was a very long time before he felt her relax enough to loosen her grip. How good it felt having his arms around her, holding her close. She had her head down on his shoulder and the weight of it felt comforting and reassuring.

He shifted his weight to get up but she tightened her grip on him. "Zevran don't leave me alone please." She said desperation heavy in her voice.

He pulled back to look at her face but still held onto her. "No mi amore, I will not leave you. Come let's get you back under the covers and I will stay with you."

Istabella nodded as he pulled back the covers and coaxed her into the warm bed. Stripping off his shirt and leaving his trousers on he climbed in with her. After getting himself settled she immediately snuggled up as close to him as she possible could. To help her sleep he crooned an Antivan lullaby to her while stroking her hair. After awhile he could sense she was relaxed and felt the deep even breathing of a person in sleep. He kissed the top of her head and lay awake the rest of the night watching over her.