Chapter Nine: Another Innocent Girl
Alistair paced back and forth impatiently, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. Where was Adalia? What was taking them so long? Night had long fallen outside, the moon high in the sky. The sound of the door opening startled him, and he saw Eamon rise to his feet. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he saw Anora. They had done it.
"Anora. I'm glad to see you're safe." Eamon said, taking the woman's hand in his.
"Eamon, we have a problem." Anora said, pulling away from the elder man.
"Oh, I was beginning to think this was going to be easy." Alistair said sarcastically, Anora just noticing that the young man was in the room. Alistair looked around as his friends entered the room, but someone was missing. "Wait, where's Adalia?" he asked, noticing the blood covering Zevrans hands and tunic.
"What happened?" Eamon asked them, his eyes filed with concern.
"The Warden was captured." Zevran said softly to Alistair, his voice filled with pain. Anger crossed Alistairs face, and he spun to Anora.
"How?" he demanded, taking a step towards her.
"It does not matter. Ser Cauthrien will take her to Fort Drakon. Getting in will be no small feat." Anora said as she took a seat in an over stuff chair.
"I swear, if anything happens to her-" Alistair began, raising a fist.
"She will be fine." Zevran stepped in, grabbing the larger mans hand. "She is strong. We just need to get to her, fast. She's been through a lot." Alistair looked at him, not understanding, but his attention was drawn back to Anora.
"You seem to care an awful lot about this woman." She commented, a smirk on her pale face. Alistairs temper was rising.
"She's a Warden. A sister in arms. And a friend. Not that you would know about any of those things." he snapped, and Anora drew back.
"Enough, Alistair. We must make haste." Zevran interrupted again, his eyes flashing with urgency. Alistair nodded, looking at the Arl as he spoke up suddenly.
"It's best that only a pair of you go. Alistair, who are you sending?"
"I'm going." Alistair said bluntly, looking at the crowd now forming in the room. Wynne was standing near the door, worry spread across his face, Ohgren just looking drunk. "Zevran is coming with me. He's the best to get us in and out." he said, nodding to the elf at his side. The blonde man nodded in return, patting the blades at his hip.
"Then let us be off."
A lone figure stirred in the dark cell, the stone floor freezing under her bare skin. Adalia groaned as she sat up, her head throbbing and bright colours flooding her eyes. She tentatively felt the back of her head, warm sticky blood covering her hand. She slid back against the wall, shivering against the cold dampness. A bright light flooded the room as a door opened, and she realized that she was completely naked. She pulled her knees to her chest, trying to cover herself as much as possible.
"Heh heh, well look at you. Aren't you just a pretty 'lil thin'?" a guard commented as he walked past the bars of the cage, the sound of his sword clinging on the metal as he dragged it along. Adalia had never felt more vulnerable, never so alone. The ring from her finger was gone, as was Alistair's amulet. She sound of the key turning in the lock terrified Adalia, and she pushed herself as far away from the grinning man as she could.
"Now, now, m'dear. This won't hurt a bit."
Fort Draken neared ever closer as Alistair and Zevran hurried their way to the prison. They had been walking for what felt like hours, the pair having decided to leave the horses a distance back. Riders at this time of the evening would draw unwanted attention for certain. There was a silence between them that was slowly growing awkward, and was making Alistair uncomfortable.
"So, I've been thinking..." Alistair started, stopping briefly when Zevran snorted, but ignored him. "Those ink drawings, what did you call them? Tattoos? Are you still willing to do one?"
"Oh-ho! So you've decided to take the plunge and become a man, have you? What is a little pain, am I right? Especially under the right circumstances." Zevran elbows Alistair in the ribs playfully, raising an eyebrow.
"Erm, I'm not worries about that, the pain that is. They look interesting. Though I think I would want mine smaller than yours. When can you do it?" Alistair asked, the heat creeping his face again.
"Not so fast, my friend! There's an entire ritual to how this is done! Did you not know." Alistair raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "Well," Zevran continued, "I must first bathe you in a mixture of olive oil and rosewater." Alistair almost choked on his saliva.
"Bathe me? That's a little...odd. I don't remember Adalia being bathed..."
"It's not odd at all! And from what I recall, she was not speaking with you then. It all needs to be worked into your skin, to prepare it for receiving the ink. It is quite pleasurable, trust me. You are in good hands." Zevran winked at Alistair, a smile spreading across his face.
"The massage? You're having me on, aren't you?" Alistair took a small step away from the grinning elf, looking towards the Fort again.
"Perhaps. Would you like for me to describe the rest of the ritual to you?" Zevran asked, taking Alistairs arm into his own.
"Can you not just be serious for once!" Alistair hissed quietly, not wanting to be heard.
"Ah, my friend, you are little fun. Once we are done here, and you're lady is safe with us, we will discuss it." Alistair nodded, falling silent again.
"Thank you." he said suddenly, Zevran looking at him in surprise. "For coming with me to get Adalia. I appreciate that you actually care." Zevran nodded as he led the way up to the looming tower, remaining silent for the first time Alistair could remember.
Adalia whimpered as the man drew nearer, the sound of his belt coming undone terrifying her.
"Please, don't." she whispered hoarsely, her stomach churning. His pants dropped to the ground, and Adalia turned to the side, retching in the corner.
"Well now, it isn't that bad." the guard sneered as he bent over her, his breath hot on her cool skin. Her grabbed her calves, forcefully pulling her legs open. Adalia struggled against him, swinging her fist at his face. He recoiled, snarling at her as he grabbed her wrists, forcing them above her head.
"You little bitch." he spat on her face, saliva spraying across her lips and cheek.
"Fuck you." she tried to scream, but he voice was more than a whisper.
"Oh, I will." the grin was back as the heavy set man pushed her to the ground, still securely holding her hands. Adalia clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the invasive moment, but instead heard a grunt, and the man moved off her. She opened her eyes when she felt strong arms lifting her, a sandy haired man staring down at her. His lips were moving, but everything was fading.
"Adalia, stay with me." Alistair repeated as he carried her from the cell. Her eyes were getting heavy, and she was shaking violently.
"We need to get her out of here, now." Zevran said, appearing with a sack and armour in hand. Noticing the look on Alistairs face he nodded over his shoulder. "All of her belongings were in a chest by the door. Well, most of them..." Zevran trailed off, his eyes snapping back to Adalia when she began to convulse in Alistair's arms again.
"We'll worry about it later. Let's get moving." Alistair led the way out of the dark room, trying to move as quietly as he could. Adalia was struggling to open her eyes, struggling to look up at the man carrying her.
"Ali-"
"Shh, love. We need to be quiet." his whispered back, watching as she nodded slowly. The gash over her eye was crusted over, the blood from it smeared down the right side of her face. Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked them away. She was more important now.
"This way is clear. We can get out from here." he heard Zevran whisper, and he followed close behind, the smell of fresh air entering his nostrils. They headed for the tree line surrounding the fortress, blending into the shadows. The trip back to the horses took less time than Alistair had thought, and in no time they were speeding back to Arl Eamons estate in Denerim, his cloak wrapped around her frail body and her head slumped against his chest.
They entered the Arls estates a short time later, Wynne meeting them at the entrance way.
"Get her in here, now." the elderly mage ordered, gesturing to Adalia's quarters. Alistair obeyed, moving through the living area and into the open bedroom. He carefully lay Adalia on the bed, adjusting the cloak to preserve some of her modesty. Wynne was quickly at their sides, vials and bottles being brought forth.
"Out, boy." the mage said quietly, examining Adalia's face. When Alistair didn't move, she turned to him, her face grim. "Get out Alistair. I need room to work, and cannot have you breathing down my neck." the Warden nodded, slowly backing out of the room, his eyes not leaving his lover until the door closed in front of him.
Wynne turned back to the pale girl, still shaking even in the warmth of the room. Wynne pulled back the cloak, her hands glowing as she healed open wounds. Adalia's breath was shallow, her heart barely audible. Burns on the young woman's shoulders and back showed the torture she endured before being left alone in the cell. Wynne slowly poured a potion down the young woman's throat, praying to the Maker that she would be alright.
Adalia groaned as she felt the cold cloth run down the side of her face. She tried to move away in protest, but Alistair held her gently in place.
"It's alright, 'Dalia. You're safe." he whispered, softly kissing her forehead. She opened her eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the light. Alistairs amber eyes smiled down at her, and she couldn't help but smile back as he continued to wipe the dry blood from her face. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got beating half to death." she groaned, her clammy hand moving to her head. She felt the side of her face where Howe had managed to cut her, Alistair quickly moving her hand.
"Wynne healed it. You'll have a little scar, but getting all this blood off is going to be the real battle." Alistair grinned, wiping her face again.
"Oh, sod it. Give me that." Adalia took the cloth from him, scrubbing at her face. Alistair chuckled, taking the soiled cloth back as Adalia forced herself into a sitting position. The glimmer of a chain around Alistair's neck caught her attention.
"The amulet... was it damaged?" she asked, watching as Alistair pulled it from his shirt.
"Eh, a little chip, but it's definitely seen worse days. From what I hear, it saved your life." he said, sliding up the bed beside her. He listened to her silently while she told him of what had happened in Fort Drakon, giving her the occasional ghost of a kiss on her forehead. When she was done, Alistair pulled her close, trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
"I have some bad news for you." he said when his eyes had dried. Adalia looked up at him, her grey eyes rimmed red from tears. "All of your things were found in Fort Drakon, except for your ring." he said quietly, rubbing her ring finger gently. Adalia's fist curled, but Alistair didn't let her speak. "It's okay. It's just a ring. I'll get you a brand new one. Bigger, and shinier! We have each other, and that's all that matters here." he brought her hand gently to his lips, kissing each of her fingers.
"Yeah, you're right." she leaned against his chest, breathing in his spicy, woodsy scent. "A bigger one sounds nice. Ooh, with sapphires this time!" Alistair chuckled, stroking her hair.
"Anything you wish, m'lady. In all serious, though. Are you alright? I mean, I know you aren't alright, per se, but is there anything I can do, or get you...?" Adalia brought a finger to his lips, the words blowing out of his mouth stopping as fast as they started.
"I'm as good as I can be. All I need is some rest, a stiff drink, and a great big bowl of that stew from the tavern. Maybe two." Alistair stood laughing as someone knocked on the door.
"I'll see what I can do about that." he winked at her as he pulled the door open. Wynne stood there, a tray in her hand.
"Alistair. I need to see Adalia." the mage said, looking at the girl over his shoulder.
"Sure, come on in." Alistair stepped to the side, gesturing for her to enter.
"Alone." she stated matter of factly, and waiting for Alistair to leave. He looked from the mage to the Warden, who nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. Alistair left with the promise of food, moving slowly out of the hopes he would hear something. Wynne closed the door, sliding the bolt across.
"We need to talk."
