Chapter 9
It was coming up to evening when I finally spotted a place that was good for camping.
Bodahn and Sandal got their wagon secured and then worked on getting a good fire going with Leliana.
I worked on setting my tent up quickly and when I climbed back out, I was faced with very familiar heavy armor boots.
I brushed my hands off on my thighs as I stood up and looked up at Alistair.
"What the hell are you thinking?" He hissed at me, keeping his voice low.
"What do you mean?" I frowned, playing ignorant.
"How can you let an assassin tag along? You know the minute we're all asleep, he's going to try to kill us." Alistair said.
I glanced at where everyone was scattered around camp. Sten was chopping firewood and I watched as Zevran sat on a chunk of wood he hadn't gotten to yet to watch.
That lean form was definitely alluring to me. I thought Alistair was handsome, in his own boyish way. Like...almost an older brother kind of way.
But that Elf...no, that was actual attraction. I'd yet met a man who could go toe to toe with me in combat. Zevran was the first.
I could take Sten if I put my mind to it, maybe not as easily as Zevran had, but I could. And Alistair would be little more than a workout unless he actually put his whole effort into it and not just most. Leliana likely could take me, but she had experience in killing, like Zevran.
Morrigan didn't count, because any Mage could hurt me before I could get close to them. Therefore, I never counted Mages. At all.
Zevran was the first man I'd attempted to fight that I couldn't beat.
"He promised." I said.
"He's a fucking assassin Elissa. You can't trust any killer to keep their word." Alistair countered as I looked down.
"I..."
"You weren't thinking with your head at all, were you?" He asked.
I looked up at him. "What?"
"You're a woman, and I don't think that's a bad thing, so don't even get started on that." He clarified. "But by that same bit, you are swayed by a pretty face as easily as any man. And I don't have to be blind to admit the fact that that Elf does have a pretty face. And he knew it. He played you and you let him."
I clenched my fists. "I know that." I snapped back.
"Then why didn't you let me deal with him?" Alistair reached up to rub at his brow like he had a headache. "He's damn annoying. I'm wondering if he intends to just annoy us to death. I think it's the one thing Morrigan and I finally have in common. He pisses us both off."
I released my fists before I got angry at Alistair.
"I...I'll talk to him."
"I'm not sure that will work. I was fully present as he went circles around you. He knows how to use people. It's in his nature." Alistair sighed. "You need to tell him to leave. I get that you want to use him to learn about Antiva and all, but there are less aggravating ways to do it."
"I..."
"And not to get into this with you, but if you're wanting...um...other things from him...there are better ways for that too." He flushed red at his ears and it was adorable. I cracked a smile at seeing him turn red.
"Other things?" I raised a brow at him.
"Oh no, you are so not getting me into that discussion with you." Alistair held up his hand. "If you don't know what I'm talking about, you'll just have to ask someone else." He said. "Someone not Arainai." He added quickly.
I laughed. "I know what you're talking about. I'm just teasing you." I said.
He scowled at me. "Not amusing."
I laughed harder at his scowl. "Is to me."
I looked up to see the scowl turn to a slight smile. "Well...anyway, just...handle him carefully." He said. "I think you should get rid of him as soon as possible. So question him and then let him go."
Alistair turned as we both heard calling out.
"Dinner." Leliana called out to us both.
I nodded. "Second." I called back. I looked up at Alistair. "I'll...talk to him. Just...let me try to work with him. You never know, I might be able to win him over and then we'll have an assassin on our side. It could be good for us. I'm sure the Wardens could benefit from having an Antivan Crow on their side."
Alistair sighed. "Who knows." He started to walk towards the fire.
I took a breath as I watched Sten set the cut firewood close enough to throw in, but not so close to light up.
I headed for where Leliana was ladling out stew from the pot Bodahn let us use. Really, having a wagon around could spoil us for camping.
XX
I finished off my second bowl of stew in order to help empty the pot and handed the bowl to Leliana as she stood up from beside me.
"I'll get these washed up when everyone is done, so just leave them on the stump." Bodahn said as he watched Alistair get up for what I thought was the third bowl he'd had. "Very nice stew Miss Leliana." She smiled at him.
"Thank you for helping." She said graciously.
"There's no more?" Zevran asked.
"One bowl left." Alistair said as he scooped out another bowl himself.
"I'll take it." Zevran pushed to his feet to claim it.
Alistair stepped away from the pot to avoid being near Zevran. He came back to sit on my other side as Leliana moved to take both our bowls to the stump the pot was on.
I watched as Zevran picked up the pot and she helped get the last of the stew from it for him.
"Still?" I looked at Alistair.
"Still." He said. "Sooner rather than later please." He started to down his bowl.
"I think perhaps next time we should make a little less stew Leliana." Morrigan said. "Now, excuse me. I've tomes to study and spells to master. Good night Elissa." She said.
I caught her raised brow look of irritation and looked down.
The fire was quiet as both men finished eating.
I looked across the fire to see Sten playing cards with Sandal. Probably the only opponent he could beat at this point. Most of the time. Sandal might be a bit short of a deck, but that wasn't to say he wasn't capable. He just had no focus ability at all.
He was a sweet Dwarf.
Alistair finished off his bowl and I looked over to see Zevran getting up to put his bowl away.
I took hold of the bowl and spoon from Alistair and moved to meet Zevran at the stump.
"So, I was wondering..." Zevran started. I looked up at him. "Do you play Wicked Grace?"
"Well...I'm not bad." I said.
"Ah, but have you played the Antivan way?" He asked.
I frowned. "I played with my sister-in-law. But I'm not sure if she ever played a particular way." I said.
"I'll assume not. It is most entertaining." He said. "I shall have to teach it to you." He smiled.
"I'd like that." I said. "I was wondering..." He raised a brow. "Do you mind if I ask you some stuff?"
"Only if I get to stare at you luridly while you do." He teased me.
I felt myself flush just a little. Alistair was right, this man was dangerous to talk to. And I thought Orlesians were bad with their little Game business.
Maybe that was why every other nation kept trying to conquer Ferelden. They knew we were simple.
"Whatever." I turned to head back to the fire.
He reached out and caught my shoulder, turning me back to face him.
"You are welcome to ask me anything." He smiled.
I nodded and started to move for my tent, where at least I had Baron as a backup to chase Zevran off.
I sat against the tree beside my tent and watched as Zevran dropped to sit on the ground.
"So...tell me about Antiva." I leaned forward.
He really was going to look at me like that. I blinked as he stayed quiet for a moment, just looking at me like he wanted to strip me. Then he closed his eyes and leaned back on his hands.
"Hmm...what do you want to know?"
"Everything." I said. "Anything you know."
"Well, let's see. I've spent most of my time in Antiva City. It is...nothing like Denerim. But maybe a little like it." He said. He looked at me. "The markets are the pride and joy of Antiva. Our wares are prized around Thedas as you might know."
"What kind of things have you found there?" I asked.
"Everything. I've seen beautiful furniture that Orlesian nobles clamor over, the likes of which can never be duplicated, carving so intricate and detail so stunning." He said. "Porcelain so fine you could use it as a lamp, delicately painted by the finest artists."
"Oriana said that Antiva had some of the best fashion next to Orlais." I said.
"I'd think she's wrong, but who am I to judge?" He shrugged. "I can say that Antiva has some of the finest silks and leather work in the world."
XX
I laughed as Zevran related one of his earlier missions to me.
"No! You really did that?"
"On my life." He laughed. "I thought the man was going to faint at seeing me come through his window. But I didn't have a choice. It was the only way for me to escape the guards."
I smiled as I looked up to see the dying fire.
"Hmm, damn. I didn't realize it got so late." I frowned.
"Time does go quickly when one is having fun." Zevran said. "I shouldn't keep you up any later though. You will need some sleep before the morning."
I nodded and rolled to my hands and knees to reach for the opening of my tent.
I glanced back at Zevran as he started to push to his feet.
"Zev..." He looked down at me. "Night." I said.
"Goodnight mi amor." He said.
I stuck my tongue out at him before crawling into my tent.
Baron huffed as I shed my pants and tossed them at him before burying myself in my blanket.
XX
I crawled out of my tent to find everyone up and the camp nearly all taken down.
"About time." Alistair huffed. "Sleep in a bit late?" He threw something at me and only my good reflexes had me catching it. Because I wasn't awake enough to see it.
It was a roll. A meat roll with cheese I realized as I stuffed it into my mouth partway in order to tie my sash properly.
"I'm afraid that would be my fault." Zev said.
"Of course it is." Alistair grumbled. "Why does that not surprise me?"
"Well, I could have kept you up instead." Zev smiled. "I think that might have been enjoyable too."
I reached down to fold up my tent and wrapped the band around the poles, keeping it all together. Baron took hold of it by the strap and carried it over to the wagon where Bodahn set it inside carefully.
I bit off and swallowed the chunk of roll in my mouth before looking at them all.
Alistair looked refreshed and more awake than usual actually. He'd slept in too with me not waking him up at the ass crack of dawn.
Maybe he was being whiny because of Zev, but obviously the assassin was already helping.
Zev himself didn't looked repentant about the late night talking at all.
I think he enjoyed it a lot actually. I headed for the group as I saw Sten and Leliana wrapping up the rest of the rolls for later.
"Map." I held my hand out to Alistair.
He reached into his chest-plate and pulled the folded paper out and started to unfold it for me.
"I know I said we'd head straight for Denerim, but I think we should make a small detour. It isn't like the Arl is going to get any worse with Jowan there using what healing magic he can. It won't cure him but Jowan did promise that he'd do his best to fix it. And Bann Teagan will be watching him like a hawk personally." I said.
"This is important you know." Alistair said.
"I know, but so is getting a force to fight Darkspawn and a Blight and an Archdemon." I pointed out. I put my finger over the Brecilian Forest. "I've heard there is a large clan of Dalish somewhere here, and I think my father said that they were somewhere around these ruins here." I pointed to the map at where some ruins were marked.
"You wish to find the Dalish?" Leliana asked.
"Yes. For the Treaties. I want to ask them to help the Grey Wardens when the fight comes." I said.
Alistair sighed and started to fold the map.
"Fine. But only because it is on our way and I know you're really just trying to get out of making a million trips across Ferelden."
I grinned. "That too. It shouldn't really take all that long. Maybe couple days at most. Most of that being travel."
"Well, then lets get going." Leliana said.
XX
Leaving the road for the forest the following evening was a bit disconcerting, but the path leading into the trees was good enough for Bodahn's small wagon.
I'd spent a great deal of time while walking talking to both Leliana and Zevran about their homelands and learning what I could of them both.
Leliana was very good at downplaying her past as a Bard and she expressed genuine desire to be a different woman, one who helped the people better.
Zev however...he seemed to love his history as a Crow. And he had so many funny stories to tell. I got the feeling I could ask him about his past for a year and still not hear the same story twice. But even though he seemed to enjoy the jobs he'd done, I detected a faint trace of hate towards the Crows as a group. There was some kind of bad blood there, but he wouldn't tell me unless I asked and I knew that was too personal at this point. I'd only known him a grand total of three days now.
It was nearing evening when we were finally confronted by a couple of Elves.
"Halt." The male one said.
"What are you doing here?" A woman asked.
"Please, we mean no harm. We are Grey Wardens." I motioned at myself and Alistair.
The two seemed to whisper to each other.
I glanced at Alistair. I tried to remember something of what my Elven friends had taught me.
"I would like to speak to your Keeper." I said. I racked my brain. Surely the boy who'd come from this clan when I was small had mentioned a name. Kerian had been young when he'd left his home, so he'd made fast friends with Fergus and myself.
They gave me a wary look. "Keeper Zathrian." I said a little unsure.
"Very well." They motioned for us to follow them.
"You sure they're taking us to their camp and not just going to kill us?" Alistair whispered to me.
I shook my head. "We probably won't get there as fast by ourselves." I said. "Besides, we have an Orlesian Bard, and Antivan Crow, a very skilled Qunari, and probably one of the best Apostate Mages in Ferelden. I think we'd stand a chance even if it were a trap."
"You put far too much faith in these people you pick up."
I shrugged. "I know. But I also know I won't get far without help."
He sighed as we walked with the Elves.
XX
Their camp was actually pretty amazing.
I could see that they were all pretty leery of outsiders. I'd been prepared for that after what Kerian had told me.
Dalish rarely opened up to outsiders, even other Elves. A City Elf was about as bad as a 'shem' to them. At least, that was what he'd told me when I asked him to teach me about the Dalish.
We were finally led to an old Elven man and I knew from the way he presented himself he was the leader. This was Keeper Zathrian.
I gave a half bow, some sign of respect. I needed these people on my side.
I kicked Alistair's leg for him to do the same.
"Greetings." I said as I stood. "I am Grey Warden Elissa Cousland."
"Alistair." He sounded unsure.
"I am Keeper Zathrian. What business do you have among my people?"
I held out my hand to Alistair for the Treaty.
"We have come to ask if you and your Clan would be willing and able to lend us aid in fighting the Blight we are facing." I said as Alistair finally produced the small scroll.
The two scouts, or guards or whatever they were stepped forward to look at the scroll as Keeper Zathrian started to unroll it.
"I see. Our Clan is obligated to honor such an ancient Treaty, but I am afraid we cannot help you. We are dealing with personal matters that put us in no position to assist." The Keeper said.
I sighed.
"Guess there isn't much they can do then." Alistair mumbled.
I looked up at Keeper Zathrian after he handed back the Treaty. "May I ask what troubles your Clan?"
I really hoped I sounded politically polite enough. It has been far too long since I'd had to work with linguistics like this. And I prayed to the Maker that the Keeper didn't use too many words of the Elven language. So far he hadn't, but I could tell he was having trouble wording things himself in our language.
He looked at the other two Elves and I hesitated. Was that being too inquisitive?
"I would normally ask that you be seen off, but...Grey Wardens also have a duty to help wherever they can, do they not?"
I nodded. From what I'd heard of Grey Wardens, yes. When not in a Blight or anything like it, I'd read that they acted as problem solvers and guardians of their assigned regions. Handling everything from disputes to skirmishes to politics.
Warden Duncan had laughed and agreed. He'd said that Ferelden was unique due to the fact that the Wardens had been exiled from this country.
"Yes." Alistair said. I heard the sigh from behind me. Morrigan didn't like getting involved in outside affairs. Neither did Sten and I knew he was probably thinking this was a waste of time. Leliana though, she enjoyed helping others.
The Keeper motioned for us to follow him and it seemed like the rest of his people relaxed a margin as we walked.
If he trusted us at all, so would they.
XX
"Their Keeper is still hiding something." Zevran said from behind me as I spoke quietly with Alistair.
Both of us jumped.
"Maker's breath! Must you do that?" Alistair glared at him.
Zevran grinned. "Yes, I must."
I shook my head at him. "You'll kill me doing that crap."
"Pity. I think your heart will survive." He looked me over. "I can think of better ways to kill you. Much more pleasurable ones."
I blushed slightly before shaking my head to clear it.
We'd been allowed to set up a small camp just outside of their own encampment and we were going over what we'd been told of the situation.
"You said he was hiding something?" I looked up at Zevran as he moved around us both to sit on the stump triangularly to the ones Alistair and I were using.
He sat so fluidly and I couldn't do less than just stare at him.
I really liked him physically, and he knew it.
I liked the way his skin glowed in firelight and had a nice tanned color in sunlight. His blond hair looked almost golden in the sun and I thought those braids keeping his hair back were just so neat and unexpected of a man, but it also just looked soft and I wanted to run my fingers through his hair. I knew it had to be just him, because I didn't want to do the same to Alistair even though he had blond hair too.
Those amber eyes threw me off when he stared at me, especially when he started at me like he wanted to eat me, but I just loved the color as it changed during the day from a light amber to a more clear and darker color when he was talking about something passionately from one of his old missions. And I'd seen hints of other tattoos aside from the one around his left eye, but I wasn't about to ask him to show them to me. I got the feeling there were some where I wasn't ready to go.
Did I want to see them? Hell yes. But Alistair was right, I was thinking with my desires when it came to Zevran simply because he attracted me. And I needed to start thinking with my head again.
It was just so hard when he looked at me like he was now.
"You'd like it, I promise." He said with a smile.
I blushed as I just couldn't win with him.
Damn him and his seductive ways.
They were even starting to get at everyone else.
He made a pass at Morrigan and even though she'd rebuked him and threatened to kill him if he tried anything, he continued to tease verbally. Leliana countered him as only a Bard and a Sister could, with just as subtle barbs and threats with a smile. He seemed to respect her enough to keep his hands to himself. He didn't even try with Sten, seemingly sensing the man hated him with respect. Sten could admire his skills, and yet want him dead in the same thought. Zevran didn't seem to go after Alistair with his racy comments or suggestions, but merely teased at him, knowing he annoyed Alistair to no end.
But with me, I had no resistance to him. Zev probably would have talked me into bed if it weren't for the rest of my group around me. Honestly, were it just myself and Alistair when we'd been hunted by him, we'd be dead and I might not have cared as long as he seduced me into it.
"Stop that." Alistair snapped at him.
"What? I enjoy my pleasures." Zevran leaned back on the seat.
"Well, stop getting off on her." Alistair said.
Zevran raised a brow at him. "Oh, are you jealous? Do you just want to protect her out of some brotherly pride? Or is it deeper?"
"Will you just shut up? Elissa is my friend and that's all the reason I need to keep you off her." Alistair shook his head.
But was Zev right? Did Alistair actually like me? I hoped not. I really did think of him as an older brother figure. He reminded me of Fergus, yet in a way, it was easier to joke and laugh with him than it had been with my brother.
"Mmm, but what if she wants me on her?" Zevran said with a devilish smile.
Alistair reached for his sword as if to draw it.
Zev just laughed.
"Boys, enough." I finally interjected, grabbing the rational thought again.
Zevran was still smiling as he leaned forward. "I know that the Keeper hasn't told us everything. While you were all setting up camp, I took a stroll around the Dalish clan here and I've heard some interesting things. I can't necessarily say all my theories yet, but I just wanted to warn you to not take things here as clear cut by his words. The Werewolves may be more than what he says they are."
"You think he's lying about the curse?" I asked.
"Among other things." Zev shrugged. "Anyway, I just want to make sure you are sure you have both sides of the story before helping these Dalish."
"Wouldn't you want us to help them?" Alistair asked.
"Because I'm an Elf?" Zev raised a brow at him. Alistair nodded. Zev held up both hands and shrugged again. "I'm no Dalish. My mother was Dalish, from Antiva. Our clan back home is a bit more...aggressive than yours. I was raised in the city, among humans. In a brothel actually. My mother was a whore there."
I stared wide eyed at him. Alistair looked surprised as well.
"I didn't know." Alistair said.
"Why would you? It's not like I tell people often. I was raised in a whorehouse in the lowest of Antiva City until I was seven and the Crows bought me from them, clearing my mothers debt after she died." Zevran said casually.
"What about your father? Was he a Crow?" I asked.
Zev laughed. "I don't know. I doubt it, but I have no clue. My mother died when I was born. My first victim as it were. All I had to go on was the fact that she was Dalish."
"And...did you find her Clan?" I asked.
"Once, yes." Zev said. "I wanted to see the people she'd left for some no-name man. I wasn't very impressed." He shrugged. "So I accept being a 'City Elf' with no heritage."
"Wow, never thought I'd find someone with a worse upbringing than I had." Alistair said.
"Yours was bad?" Zevran leaned back again, crossing his ankles as he stretched out.
It caused his legs to stretch out over mine, almost reaching Alistair. Was he tall for an Elf or did the few I knew just like to act smaller to avoid being seen? Either way, I liked that about him. I normally hated looking up because I did it all the time, but for some reason, I didn't mind with Zevran because he usually leaned a little down to be more on my level. Or slouched. Was an assassin supposed to have bad posture?
"Well...not particularly I guess. I never knew my mother either, because she gave me up. My father was not in any position to raise me. Very not." Alistair sighed. "So Arl Eamon raised me for several years until it was decided that I was to be trained and schooled as a Templar. The Abby did most of that and I hated every minute of it. Not to say I failed the teaching, I just didn't like it. I like having the skills they taught me."
"Templar skills?" Zev asked. "Can you do that weird magic canceling thing?"
Alistair frowned. "Yes."
"Without Lyrium?"
"I never took Lyrium. The Templars teaching me always commented on how I picked up some of their basic skills without Lyrium, but I never thought much on it. I know once you start taking it, it becomes an addiction." Alistair shrugged.
"Yes, I've seen that." Zevran nodded.
I wondered if Alistair realized he was having a civil conversation with Zevran? About a really unusual topic, but still civil.
"At any rate, Duncan saved me from that bore by recruiting me. The Mother was very upset to see me go. Probably because I wouldn't be under her thumb anymore." Alistair laughed.
"And I suppose our beautiful Warden here had a better life than us both." Zevran looked at me.
"Probably." I sighed. "I was raised noble. My mother wanted a little girl, I wanted to fight. Father always said I learned everything he tried to teach Fergus, but faster and better. Sometimes I think he thought of me as the better son. But he did love Fergus." I said quickly.
"Mmm, I think you'd look good in a dress." Zevran said.
"And we're back to that." Alistair started to stand up. "I'm going to get some sleep. At least one of us has to be clear headed tomorrow." He directed at me.
I sighed.
"But then, I do think you'd look even better out of it too." Zev said as he gave me that heavy lustful stare.
I blushed before standing up.
"Well, the fact is, you'll never see me either in a dress or out of it." I said turning away from him.
"Maybe I will, maybe I won't." He laughed as I started to walk away.
I glanced back at him, still stretched out.
Maker that man was hot.
And he didn't really know how much his teasing was tempting.
Well...he probably did.
I started to climb into my tent and let my eyes linger on him getting to his feet as I closed the opening.
Three days, I reminded myself. I couldn't let myself be swayed by his charm in only three days.
Even if I liked his stories, loved his voice, had dreamed the past two nights of his body.
Instant attraction was usually fatal attraction.
I pulled my blanket over me and buried my face against the flat pillow.
