A/N: A Big thank you to KJFern for being my beta for Chapter 6 and 7. You are now officially my beta for the rest of the story :o)
Thank you also to those who have added this story and me to their favorites. Look forward to bringing you more fanfic down the road!
Chapter 7-Jader:
When the healers came in on the third morning since reaching Jader Vivian was wide awake. At first she was extremely confused at her surroundings; at the fact that she was half naked and her entire shoulder area was bound. Then her memory slowly came back into focus, and she remembered coming into Jader and reaching the Warden Compound. After that everything had gone dark, up until now at least.
The ward she was in held many beds, each bed flanked by privacy curtains. Windows, placed high up in the walls, allowed for the sunlight to come in giving the ward a rather warm and comforting glow. Slowly Vivian eased herself up and moved her body carefully. Other than having slightly stiff muscles and a dull ache in her shoulder, she felt really good. So much so that she decided to attempt to get up and move around. Just as she was swinging her legs off the bed, Kora and Alistair came in.
Kora came at her almost at run, while she watched Alistair blush as he looked at her. She was covered up enough by the linen garments she wore but her stomach and legs were fully bare. Alistair averted his eyes away but not before he caught an eyeful of generous female curves. Vivian sensing this drew the blanket over her legs and up to her waist. On the inside though, she was drawing great enjoyment from his evident shyness.
"Vivi, Vivi your awake!" Kora cried happily. Vivian threw out a good arm to keep the child from launching herself onto her lap.
"Please, you think a little poison and an arrow wound would take me out? Takes more than some templars and mercs to kill me off," Vivian said hugging her niece tightly. "Are you all right? Is Alistair taking care of you?" Vivian asked as Kora flopped on the bed.
"I have and she is fine. It is good to see you awake and almost healed. You had a very close call," Alistair said sitting in the chair next to the bed.
Vivian tucked Kora into the crook of her arm. "How long have I been out? I don't remember much of anything after I passed out in the courtyard."
"We have been here three days. I managed to catch you as you fell off your horse. The wardens brought in two healers and it took most of the evening the first day to get you stabilized. They said that if we had delayed one more day you would have been dead."
A sharp pang of fear stabbed at her insides as the enormity of his words settled on her. Maker's butt! What would have happened to Kora if she had not made it? What would have happened if he had not come along and helped them when he did?
Alistair caught her look of fear on her face briefly before she quickly hid it. But he could still see it reflected in her eyes as she spoke.
"So we have been here three days? Do you know how soon we can leave? I don't want to be here much longer in case we are tracked. We need to…."Vivian was cut off by the entrance of two healers carrying leather satchels.
"I see you are awake Miss and looking quite well. I am Feena, and this Ren, of the Circle of Magi here in Jader." The older woman said introducing herself then continuing. "How are you feeling bodily wise?" The healers approached the bed as Alistair and Kora stepped aside to allow them to work.
"Much better than I was before I went unconscious. A little sore, and I have dull ache in my shoulder, but that is it." Vivian said as the healers pulled the curtain closed for privacy. The male healer, Ren, unwound the shoulder bandage and prodded her bare skin. Vivian looked down to see that the hole from the arrow was completely gone. Only a trace of pink lingered from where the wound had been. Ren nodded his satisfaction as the healers began to summon spells to ensure it finished healing properly.
As they worked Vivian plied them with questions. "Can you tell me what kind of poison they used? How is my shoulder healing? When will I be able to travel and when can resume using my weapons?"
Feena hushed her in a motherly and gentle fashion. "Give us a moment child. Let us tend this and then you will have your answers."
Vivian sighed and let them do their work. The healing magic was warm and soothing, filling every fiber of her body. In fact, it felt like she had just spent a relaxing day at a bath house being pampered. They continued their work for the next half hour. When the healers were done they pulled the curtain back motioning Alistair and Kora forward.
"You shoulder is healed but I want you to give it at least two days before you use in any type of combat or exercise. Now to answer your questions: The poison used was a combination of various different lethal substances, so it is hard to know exactly what was used. When that many poisons are used together they blend and become their own formula. We managed, however, to leech it out of your system. As for travel, I again recommend at least two more days of staying put. Your injury nearly killed you and even though you have great resilience, it will still be in your best interest to take it easy."
Feena pulled a packet of herbs out of the leather satchel. "Take this, mixed with water, and drink it twice a day until it is gone. The herbs in it will continue to strengthen your blood and body. You also have not had any food since your arrival. I would suggest you eat a little at a time at meals to allow your stomach to get used to food again. Do you have any questions for us?"
One thing about them, they were certainly quick and efficient at their task. Vivian shook her head, "No and thank you so much helping me."
Feena smiled and nodded. "It is what we do Warden. If you have any problems during the rest of your stay here just sent for us. Other than that we wish you luck and good health wherever you go, Grey Wardens." With that the two healers left the room to return to their circle home.
Vivian watched as they left, then looked at Kora and Alistair. "Well that settles that. First order of business is I want to get dressed and walk around a bit. If I have to lay here in bed anymore I will go mad. Secondly, I want to eat something because I am starving and third, I want to go down to the docks and see about booking passage to Cumberland. We need to go shopping for supplies and travel gear…"
"Aunt Vivi, you just recovered from a wound that nearly killed you. I know you are feeling better but you are going to wear yourself down if you start going full tilt. Let's at least get you bathed, dressed and fed first. We will deal with the other stuff later." Kora said crossing her arms and taking control of the situation before her aunt did.
Alistair snorted with laughter at the look Vivian gave Kora. "For once Vivian you are overruled in this instance. I will go fetch clothes from your pack for you and get hot bath water brought in. Give me a few minutes and I will have some breakfast brought in for all of us. The hall can become quite noisy in the mornings. A quiet private meal would do us all good I think."
After several long minutes he returned with a tunic, trousers and her boots. "Your old clothes were burned since they were covered in blood, as well as the armor you were wearing. We had to cut it off of you to remove it. Morning meal should be here shortly. I will go wait for it while you get bathed and dressed," Alistair said pulling the privacy curtain closed and going to the door.
For the first time in three days, Vivian stood up of her bed and it felt good. Her legs were a bit wobbly from being sedentary but nonetheless she felt great relief at having her freedom again. Servants arrived bringing large buckets of heated water and poured it into the copper bathing tub. Kora helped Vivian get out of her linen wrappings and Vivian sunk down into the hot soothing water. Baths like this anymore were becoming a luxury and Vivian was even more delighted when Kora presented her with her favorite soap, along with other toiletries.
"I found it the bottom of your pack and figured you would like to use it," Kora said grinning.
Vivian took the bar, and dunked herself under the water, and then scrubbed her hair and entire body down. By the time she got out, the water was not as clear, but she was clean and felt ten times better. After drying and dressing in clean clothes, she sat upon her bed crossed legged, combing out her long hair meticulously. No matter where they were or what was going on, she always took care of her hair. But looking in the small mirror, she noticed the dark red color she used in it was starting to fade. Which meant a trip to the nearest barber salon for a cut and dye job. Last time she had her hair colored she bought extra supply of the color which came from the blood lotus root. She was a natural blonde but becoming a red head had been a useful disguise so far.
Breakfast arrived just as Vivian finished putting her hair in braids. The kitchen had sent up eggs, slices of cheese, fat sausages, fresh melon slices and a steaming pot of hot tea. Alistair arranged everything out on a side table for them. After sitting, he immediately attacked the cheese wedges.
Vivian watched him in amusement before remarking, "Alistair, I take it you like cheese a lot?"
In between mouthfuls he replied, "Ever since I was a kid I could not stop eating it. Late night munchies consisted of cheese raids on Redcliffe's larder when I lived there. Not to mention when you are a Grey Warden you are hungry a lot of the time."
Vivian rather intent on enjoying the pork sausages asked, "So should act like I am starving all the time since I am a Grey Warden?"
Alistair stopped attacking the cheese to go for a large scoop of eggs. "I was just going to bring that up. We need to talk about some things. First off the Senior Warden is coming to see you today." Alistair watched as Vivian's face took on a panicked look and held his hands up. "Don't worry he just wants to check and see how you are faring. Secondly, he called me into a meeting last night to talk about the events of the Blight. He also asked how you and I became acquainted and stuff like that."
Vivian stopped her fork in mid-air and raised an eyebrow. "And just what did you tell him?"
In between mouthfuls of eggs, Alistair told her the story he had concocted and had told to Helmik. "Apparently he believes what I told him. The one thing I did not go into was the full details of exactly what took place at the Landsmeet. I figured if he ever finds out what really happened we will be long gone from here."
The cheese was disappearing fast so Vivian snatched another slice before Alistair devoured it all. "Well for having little information about Kora and me, you did a rather clever job at the story you concocted. I will play on what you told him if he asks any questions. He is not aware that we are mages I assume?" Vivian questioned him intently.
Alistair nodded. "No as far as he is concerned you are an archer and Kora is learning sword and shield so she can be a soldier or Grey Warden someday. Unless he questions us about the past more I would suggest we leave our stories as they are. Until we leave here and are on the road to Tevinter, the less they know the better."
Vivian again raised her eyebrow, swallowing food before speaking. "We? As in all three of us? How do you know we are going to Tevinter?"
"Yes, we three- and the night you were wounded Kora told me you were traveling to Tevinter. Not like it matters because I would have found out anyway. In truth I cannot return to Ferelden because I am truly exiled. As it stands I have a great desire to be far away from Ferelden as possible. I have been thinking it over and I am going to travel with you. My being a Grey Warden has its advantages for all of us. And if we should encounter any darkspawn at all, I will know it. You have seen me fight and there is strength in numbers. The road you take is long and it could be dangerous. Particularly if you end up becoming tracked by whoever is after you. You are a very powerful mage and I know that you perfectly capable of handling yourself. But you are not invincible Vivian, and if you get into another scrape like the one three days ago, it will be your death. And possibly Kora's death too… or worse could happen to her," Alistair stated as he polished off the last of the remaining cheese and eggs.
Vivian frowned not wanting to go along with this. Her plans only included her and Kora because two people could travel faster without having to worry about anyone tagging along. Granted they were safe for now but she could not shake that feeling that they would be found out. She wanted to be on a ship crossing the Waking Sea as soon as possible before their trail was picked up again. Vivian knew that Alistair's argument made sense and was a wise argument at that. But the control freak in her rebelled against his reasons anyway.
"Alistair, I don't think…." Vivian started but was cutoff when the Senior Warden had walked in. All three rose quickly and Vivian mimicked the way Alistair saluted.
"Senior Warden, this is my wife Vivian and my stepdaughter Kora. Vivian, Kora, this is Senior Warden Helmik."
Helmik put his arm out and Vivian clasped it in greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you Vivian, and Kora. I have heard the wild adventure you both have been on since the Blight. I trust you are recovering well from your wound and suffered no permanent damage?"
Vivian shook her head. "No the healers did an excellent job on my shoulder. I can use it fully in a few days again and be back on duty." Vivian slightly cringed at her words hoping they sounded correct.
"That is good to hear and as I told Alistair, all three of you are welcome to stay as long as you need to. It is a long road to Tevinter and I have no doubt you could use the rest," Helmik informed her smiling.
"Thank you sir, we appreciate the offer. We will be staying long enough till we secure passage to Tevinter. I am eager to see my family again before Alistair and I make our way to Weisshaupt," Vivian replied looking at Alistair.
"Very good. Until then whatever we have here in the armory is at your disposal to take. I will see to it you are outfitted properly with our Grey Warden armor. We have weapons to choose from as well, or you can visit the forges and smithies just outside the compound. We have many fine battle craftsmen employed to make whatever you need. I wish I could visit longer but I must leave and go into the city on business. If you have need of anything just send me word," Helmik said as he took his leave. Alistair and Vivian both thanked him as he went out the door.
Alistair turned, giving Vivian a knowing look. "There, the matter of me traveling with you is officially settled. It would look strange, would it not, if you left the city without your Warden husband by your side? Speaking of which, where are you headed in Tevinter?"
Vivian groaned and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever. You will come with us to Tevinter. We are going to Asariel, as that is where our family lives. But I am going down to the docks today to find passage to Cumberland. The overland route will be much quicker than going by ship to Tevinter. If we are attacked I would rather it be on solid ground than on the deck of a rocking ship."
Alistair crossed his arms over his chest. "Very well to Tevinter it is, and for propriety plus appearance sake, we should still pose as husband, wife, and daughter. But since I take it you will not be sleeping in the infirmary now, I will show you where we are sleeping."
Leaving the servants to clean up the dishes they departed the infirmary; Alistair led them through the stone hallways to their sleeping quarters. Vivian looked around at the walls which had many paintings of men and women as well as landscape portraits. When they reached the room Vivian took one look at the room and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw there were three twin beds.
She turned to Alistair saying, "No we are not pushing the twin beds together so don't get any ideas. We are husband and wife in pretense only."
Alistair grinned slyly. "Take marital proprieties on you dear lady wife? Perish the thought as I prefer to keep my manhood intact thank you. Perhaps the occasional kiss, handholding, or other such gestures might be required to fully complete the sham."
Vivian glared at him which of course made the whole situation all the more fun. He was actually beginning to enjoy annoying her and she fell so easily into his teasing. But seeing how it was best not to push her too far, lest he get a spell slapped on him, he stopped his goading.
"Have no fear, dear lady; we will just appear as the happily married couple. However, I would suggest we get our coin purses and whatever else we want to take out with us. If you want to get on the move then we had better get to the docks."
Vivian went over to the bed where her pack lay and pulled out her belt with the coin purse and dagger. She was only taking part of her money out, just enough to get passage booked and some mage items for her and Kora. Plus she wanted to look at the smithies on the way in. She strapped her belt on and looked up at Alistair, whom already had his sword and shield strapped on.
"Ready to go?" he asked looking at her.
Vivian nodded and followed Alistair out of the compound with Kora between them. They were greeted along the corridors by fellow Wardens and from the guards outside the main gate. It felt good to be outside and free to wander around. As they passed by the smithies Vivian slowed to look at the armor, blades, and other weapons on display.
Kora took her by the hand saying. "Come on Vivi, you can look at that when we come back."
Vivian sighed and allowed herself to be pulled along again. After securing directions and doing several wrong turns they finally found the shipmaster's office.
"I am leading us back to the market square. No offense, but your sense of direction is horrible," Vivian said as they entered through the door.
A salty looking elderly man with round spectacles sat behind the desk with a stack of paperwork and charts in piles. He looked up and surveyed the three then asked, "What can I do for you folks today?"
"We are looking to book passage to Cumberland in next three days. Can you tell me if there are any ships coming in or going to that port?" Vivian asked.
The man pulled a chart out from one of the stack, surveying it. "There is a passenger ferry leaving tomorrow morning for Cumberland. The next one is not due for another four days, if you want to wait. I do not know if there is any space available but I can send you to the ferry captain. Go down the ramp and to your right. The name of the ferry is the Hadrian, with blue and white sails. Can't miss it."
Vivian thanked him and they left with Vivian in the lead this time. With no difficulty they found the ship they were looking for and inquired about a passage. After looking over the booking log the quartermaster said, "Well we have three cabins left. Two of them are single bed and the other one is a family with a queen sized bed and a child's size bed."
Vivian nearly groaned aloud at the choices. They could take just two, or all three, but that would mean forking out more money. The family one would be perfect but that meant Alistair and her would be sleeping in the same bed. Something she did not relish but it was the best rate cabin.
"Very well, we will take the family cabin, how much?" Vivian asked pulling out her coin purse.
"Two sovereigns and that includes all your meals on the journey. We leave at mid-morning so I would recommend anything you need to get done, do it today," the quartermaster said.
Alistair looked at Vivian, thinking that she would at least want to wait for the one coming in on the fourth day instead of tomorrow. "Vivian, are you sure you want to leave so soon? You have only just healed up from your wound. We can always wait until the other ferry comes in and have more rooms available to choose from."
Vivian cocked her eyebrow at him. "We need to get on the road, dear husband, and I would rather not wait." She turned to the man and plunked money down repeating herself. "We will take the family cabin and be here in the morning. Is there anything else we are required to bring?"
The quartermaster shook his head. "Just yourself and whatever belongings are going with you. If the fair weather and wind remains it will take about three to four days to reach Cumberland. We keep a medicine chest on board at all times in case of illness or sea sickness."
Vivian thanked the man and then led the way back out of the dock area. Alistair fell in stride beside her, remarking, "So we go from not pushing to twin beds together to sleeping in the same bed? Vivian we can wait for the next ferry you know."
Vivian shook her head. "I don't want to wait for the next ferry to come in. I want to get us as far ahead as we can in case we are being tracked. And since you insist we pose as husband and wife, we may as well act like it- minus the physical part. It would look strange for us to get separate rooms would it not? Besides, this was your bright idea in the first place to get us into Jader I might remind you."
Alistair could not help but agree with her as she had him there. He had fibbed that they were married and she a Grey Warden, so they had to roll with it.
"Besides, the bed is a queen size and should have plenty of room. We can just pile up blankets between us if you are nervous about sleeping together," Vivian added as they walked through large archway that led to the merchant square.
Kora, silent all this time, giggled. "You two are already bickering like a married couple. So I don't think you will have any problem acting like one."
Vivian snorted. "Yes and all I am missing is my cast iron skillet and rolling pin, that makes not only good food, but great husband control."
Alistair smirked. "All I need is my riding whip to smack you on the ass with, as you play the domestic homemaker. Or I could stoop even lower and go the barefoot and pregnant routine. I once heard a big bearded bear of a man say that to his wife in Lothering."
Vivian stopped with eyebrows raised very high. "You wouldn't dare…" then she cut off her own words by starting to giggle madly which soon turned into full blown laughter.
Alistair grinned shaking head. "Are you kidding? If I did that to you, I would have a fireball up my ass so fast I would be the one in frying pan."
That just elicited more snickering out of her and Alistair found how pleasant her face looked alight with laughter. He wondered just how long it had been since she had laughed so carefree in that manner. Even Kora was giggling and Alistair felt a surge of pleasure knowing that he had not lost his sense of humor completely. It very much pleased him that he had made her laugh.
After a few minutes Vivian managed to regain her composure but her green eyes were still very bright. "Well here is to many more bickering arguments that end in laughter. Come on, we have supplies to get."
