Chapter 7: Rest

9:30 Dragon Age: Circle Tower, Senior Mage Quarters

"And just what do you think you are doing, young lady?"

Kalli glanced towards Wynne the senior mage was glaring at her from across the room, she had only left to get something to drink and returned to find the injured warden trying to get out of bed.

She smiled at the woman.

"I feel like dancing the remigold," she said flippantly, "Maybe you can help me find a pretty dress?"

The older woman rolled her eyes and strode into the room.

Kalli had just about managed to get to her feet when the vertigo took hold; she started to fall and only was stopped by the old woman pushing her back down onto the bed.

Wynne offered her some water, which she drank greedily.

The mage gave her a concerned look.

"You have no business being awake yet," she informed the warden, "A curse of mortality is nothing to fool around with, you may have been purged of the magic, but the effects on the body can last much longer.

She gentle pushed the elf back into bed. Kalli normally would not have tolerated this, but to be honest, she was as weak as a newborn kitten right now. The mage gently touched her head to see if she had a fever. The pain lessened every time she awoke, but it was still there right now.

Kalli had never liked being babied; she had never had that option in the Alienage. You had to be strong to survive in that environment. Still…what that Uldred…thing had done to her, the wounds she had suffered were quite extreme…

She was lucky to be alive.

She was not entirely sure how long they had been in the circle tower now. She had spent…Maker knows how long…drifting in and out of consciousness. More than a day at least, after they had killed the Sloth demon and escaped the fade, the group had made their way to the harrowing chamber near the top of the tower.

The Abomination that had once been the mage Uldred had been waiting for them. The creature had turned into a giant monster and had attacked them.

Sten had gotten it worst; the abomination had set him on fire and sent him sprawling across the room. She, Oghren and Alistair had done their best to keep the creature at bay, wounding it and annoying it. For a short time it had seemed like it was going to be an easy fight, considering that the others had dealt with the monsters "servants," those mages that had already been turned into abominations.

Uldred proved them wrong.

The spell that he had struck her with left her wheezing on the floor, wounds that Wynne had healed earlier reopened, minor cuts bled like arteries.

A curse of mortality Wynne had caused it, apparently a very lethal spell from the entropy school of magic. If Alistair had not done some of his Templar shit, she likely would have died right there.

Still her wounds had been grave, and Uldred seemed intent on having her go to the void from resisting his offer to turn her into a demon.

He had kicked her, sending her flying, and might have finished her off, had Zevran not leapt onto the demon's back burying his daggers into the foul creature's shoulder blades.

It was the last thing Kalli remembered before losing consciousness.

She frowned at Wynne.

"Is Zevran okay?" she was surprised at how childlike her voice sounded. Why the assassin's fate worried her so she did not know. Yes, he had saved her life but…

Zevran…Zev…she…she did not know what to make of him, not after what she had seen in his nightmare.

Wynne smiled at her.

"Your friend is fine. He suffered a broken arm, but will recover."

She sighed.

"Praise the Maker."

No one else would die for her, she would not have it!

Nelaros had been enough.

The elder mage's smile widened.

"Alas it has done nothing to slow his tongue. I fear one of the female apprentices might try turning him into a toad, if he does not drop the innuendo and speak with respect.

Kalli giggled. Even though it made her sides hurt.

Better them than me, she thought.

Still…she was grateful he was alive, that they had both come out of that horrible place alive. After what she had seen in the fade, after what she had saved him from…he…they…

She still could feel his arms around her, his warm breath against her neck, his nose lightly touching hers as their lips drifted so close and…

She shook her head. It had not really happened it had been a dream nothing more. She had felt sorry for seeing him in such a broken state, and her emotions had gotten the better of her.

Yes…that was all it was.

She snuggled into the soft bed, to be honest she had never laid on anything so comfortable, silken sheets, and feather pillows were not common in the Alienage. It felt wonderful on her bare skin.

Wynne chuckled.

"If you have to be trapped in bed, there are worst places to be warden," she smirked.

"No argument here," Kalli sighed, the soreness in her muscles seemed like a minor thing right now. Though she knew it would not be long before they would have to leave such comfort behind. Arl Eamon still needed a cure, and since they had been attacked outside the Spoiled Princess on the mainland, she now knew that Brother Genitivi must have been getting close to something…

The question was... what?

Wynne touched her forehead, she begun to whisper words under her breath.

"Wait,' Kalli said trying to stop her.

"You need your rest warden," Wynne soothed, "We will talk again when you awaken."

Magic flowed into Kalli.

"Sleep," the mage cooed.

Warmth and calm suffused her body. All conscious thought fled leaving her floating on soft dreamy clouds. Kalli sighed like a child, no worries held her down right now, she felt as she must have when she had been a baby.

"Fluffy," she murmured, her eyes falling shut heavily, her head plucking down hard against the pillow.

The sweet abyss of sleep welcomed her, and no nightmares came to stop it.

There would be time for that later.

IOI

Zevran once again found himself standing sentinel outside the warden's room, he knew it was unnecessary, the mages owed her their lives after all and the Templars were too concerned watching the mages to do anything about her even if they wanted to…

Still, he kept watch.

Such seemingly safe times were perfect for assassins, he knew that from experience. He had silenced many a target in such seemingly benign situations.

The door opened as Wynne slipped into the hall, locking the door behind her. The elder mage had given strict orders that the warden not be disturbed, and the First Enchanter had supported her on this.

Zev intended to break that order. He put on his most winning smile and approached the mage.

"Ah my dear Wynne," he purred.

"The warden is sleeping again Master elf," she replied, "Please let her be."

Still he pushed on.

"I merely wish to see our dear leader," he shrugged, "I shall not cause any problems, merely to make sure she is recovering. She…"

Zevran paused; the memory of Kalli bleeding out on the floor of the Harrowing chamber still haunted him. He had just sat there, nursing his broken arm, nothing he could do to help the poor girl…

Nothing he could do period.

The mage gave him an understanding look.

"I understand your concern young man," she said, "But in her current state the warden will not hear you. She should be strong enough to receive visitors in a few hours. In the meantime, I suggest you find your own rest."

Zevran smirked at her.

"Do you have any suggestions my good woman," he purred, "Perhaps some willing apprentice needs to be soothed after her ordeal, one who would appreciate a shoulder to cry on or a head to rest against her bosom."

He gave her his most lecherous look.

"If you are needing comfort my dear Wynne, I'm more than willing to help.

The mage snorted.

"I'm afraid my bosom is off limits master elf, and I would tread lightly around the apprentices."

She gave him a cool look.

"They occasionally have been known to set people on fire when they are disturbed needlessly. They have yet to master the fine control of other mages."

He chuckled again.

"What is a little passion without a little fire, eh? My offer still stands if you are interested."

The mage rolled her eyes and made her way down the corridor.

Zevran glanced again at Kalli's room, his expression becoming more thoughtful than it had a moment ago.

The charm and the innuendo was a useful mask, but when he was alone he was free to be himself.

He stared at the door, and found himself thinking of the fiery haired warden inside.

He thought about the fade, and what she had seen, his past and sins laid bare. If she knew what had happened to Rinna, would she send him away? There had not been time to discuss such things during the fight with the Sloth Demon, and even less when they emerged from the fade to battle Uldred.

Zevran did not like people getting inside his head. It had not been the warden's fault, but…

He still remembered what came after she had saved him, her lithe curvy body pressed tightly against his. His fingers questing for warm soft skin, but finding only leather and plate, it was a shame to be sure.

He found himself wondering why the Sloth Demon had chosen that particular nightmare to trap him in. It likely would have been no less torturous had he found himself in a dream where he had been in bed with the lovely Rinna. Between his desire and shame, he likely would never have left her, and even the warden would likely have not been able to tempt him from such a fate.

Too slowly wither away in the power of a demon, while his mind remained with Rinna, the woman he had betrayed.

It had a nice symmetry to it, he had to admit.

Not that it mattered anymore; once again he had cheated death…

No…he had not cheated it, Kalli had saved him from its clutches, yet again.

He found that he was grateful to her for that, but the question was why?

Did he still not seek to die for what happened to Rinna?

When the time came he would find his end, but he had no desire to see any of the others join him. This was his fate after all, his reward.

He…he hoped that Kalli would not blame herself when it happened.

Zev couldn't take it anymore; he waited until the hall was clear, and not hard considering the Templars had corralled most of their mage charges on the floor below, still checking them for signs of demonic possession he supposed.

Zev drew his lockpicks from his belt, there were others far more skilled in such things, but he knew how to work a lock in a pinch.

Fortunately, the mage had not enchanted the door, or used some type of magic lock; it opened with barely a click.

Zevran slipped inside.

Kalli lay sheathed in covers of white silk and soft fur, her face half buried in the pillow, her breath coming in slow even sighs.

Zev swallowed hard, it had been many years since he had been nervous in a woman's chambers, but then again…Kalli was not an ordinary woman.

He sat down next to the bed, his right arm was still sore yet he reached out and brushed a lock of dark red hair out of the warden's eyes.

He smiled slightly at the vision before him.

The warden…Kalli… was always so intense, it was strange to see her in such a state of peace. The lavender shading of her eyes mere shadows on her tanned skin.

Something caused him to draw close; he truly did not understand it himself. Perhaps it was curiosity after what they had experienced in the fade.

He smelled her hair and her skin, her pink lips were so soft and inviting, yet he held off…well mostly.

He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. It was not much, just a slight reward for saving him from his personal demons.

He smiled slightly.

A stolen kiss was all the sweeter, no?

Her brow furrowed.

"No," she murmured.

He backed away; suddenly afraid he had done something wrong.

"No," she murmured, curling into a fetal ball, "Don't…don't hurt them…Shianni…Nelaros…noooo!"

Zevran retreated from the room, locking it behind him.

He felt a fool.

What had he been thinking?

Kalli clearly did not want or need his thanks or his problems.

It was clear that she had problems of her own.

He slipped down the hallway before anyone noticed him. He found his thoughts troubled, contemplating his soon to becoming end…

…and the sweet taste of the warden's skin.

Both thoughts warred in the assassin's mind.

Death and life…

…and as always death always held him in its sway, such was the way of an assassin…

Such was the way of a crow.