*Allison's advice about epilepsy comes from the Mayo Clinic website.
*Please, please review!*
You Don't Have To Stand Alone
Chapter 10 – Proposition
The Blooming Rose was actually the nicest place Allison had seen in Kirkwall. She didn't know if that spoke well of the brothel or badly of the city. She had a feeling it was the latter.
As they walked through the entryway, Allison noticed that many of the people were dressed in scantily clad outfits and there were more elves here than most places.
"Why are there so many elves here?" she whispered.
Isabela rolled her eyes. "You don't have to whisper Dear. They know that they're elves and they know that they're prostitutes. And to answer your question, The Blooming Rose is one of the few places that will hire elves."
Allison stopped. "Wait. So, elves aren't good enough to mingle with humans but it's absolutely ok for people to pay to sleep with them?"
Isabela shrugged but her expression wasn't as carefree. "It's life. At least the elves that work here can afford to buy food. And it's not just elves that work here." Isabela waved a hand around the room.
Allison noticed that there humans and dwarves alike, all wearing the same attire. It must be the way to tell who was an employee.
Isabela chose a table in the corner and sat with her back to the wall. Allison sat close to her, not bothering to pretend that she was fine being there. Maybe this hadn't been the best idea.
An image of Anders' cold face from that morning flashed before her though and she decided to look at it as an anthropological study.
The walls of the Rose were made out of smooth, gray stone, not wood like the places in Darktown and Lowtown. There were two giant sculptures of birds in bronze over the doorway that they had come through. Odd choice, but what do I know?
The tables were long and the chairs were deep and cushioned. Physically, this was most comfortable Allison had been since she arrived. Definitely not what she had expected for a house of ill repute.
An elven woman approached the table to take their order. "Hello Isabela. What will you and your friend have?"
The look Allison gave Isabela plainly said, 'How often do you come here?' and Isabela grinned at her.
"Hello Ada. Well, let's see. My friend has been living in Darktown for a few days which means that she's been eating dirt. Let's have a nice stew and a bottle of wine."
Allison frowned and Isabela quirked an eyebrow. "What's wrong Sweetie?"
Allison thought it was funny that when Isabela wasn't flirting with her, the endearments she used felt rather natural.
"I feel bad having a nice meal like this when Anders barely has bread." The guilt was quite thick despite the mage's earlier behavior. "There's no take-out here so I can't bring anything back home for him."
Isabela pursed her lips. "We'll see what we can do ok?"
Allison smiled gratefully. "Thanks." She scrutinized the pirate for a moment. "Why are you being so nice anyway?" she asked.
Ada brought the wine and two glasses. Isabela poured some for herself.
"I don't know exactly to be honest. I like you. Isn't that enough of a reason?" she replied lightly.
Allison considered that briefly. "I guess so. I like you too, and I can't quite figure out why myself." She laughed and Isabela joined her.
"Maybe it's because I haven't had a woman around in a long time. When I was Captain Isabela, my crew was made up of men. When I came to Kirkwall I fell in with Varric and Anders. It's surprisingly nice to be around another female." Isabela commented.
Allison's curiosity was kindled. "Are there not many women pirates in Thedas?"
Isabela snorted. "Not remotely. They're too busy letting men take their money and leave bairns in their bellies."
Allison leaned her arm on the table and rested her chin on her hand. "Does that life not interest you? Getting married? Having children?"
Isabela looked horrified. "Darling, I've been married and I can tell you that it's overrated."
Allison was getting used to her mouth falling open. "You were married! When? Where's your husband?" she screeched.
For the first time since Allison had met Isabela, the woman's face tightened with stress and her normally lively eyes darkened. She took a long drink before responding.
"The bastard is dead. He was the first captain of my ship, The Siren's Call. A very good friend of mine killed him and I inherited the ship." She took another drink.
Allison was silent for a moment before broaching the subject. "Was he…mean to you? Did he hurt you?" she asked quietly.
At first it seemed that Isabela wasn't going to answer her. The pirate flinched slightly and Allison started to withdraw her question.
"He got me where I wanted to go, which was away from home. He asked a price and I paid it… repeatedly. The world is a better place with him gone." She said bitterly.
A gut instinct told Allison that Isabela would be disgusted with sympathy so she offered none. She opted for honesty instead.
"I bet you would've gotten rid of him on your own if your friend hadn't. You seem quite capable of taking care of yourself." Allison eyes the swords on Isabela's back meaningfully.
Isabela had been holding her breathe, waiting for the requisite pity to spout from Allison's mouth. She was grateful that the young woman hadn't insulted her with platitudes.
She contemplated the girl sitting next to her. Allison was young but she wasn't stupid. And she was feisty which Isabela appreciated. Despite her words, Isabela knew that Allison felt sorrow over her past. That meant that she had heart too, and Isabela respected that as a quality that she lacked.
Allison squirmed a little under Isabela's steady gaze. She could tell that the pirate was mulling over something about her.
"What?" Allison's voice was a little exasperated.
Isabela smiled gently. "It's nothing Pet. Just enjoy your food."
Ada placed two bowls off hot stew in front of them and Allison's mouth watered.
She had to force herself not to wolf down her food like a barbarian and it was all she could o not to lick the empty bowl.
Isabela's eyes were wide. "Maker! You eat like a Warden!"
At the mention of Wardens, Allison's conscience pricked her again. Isabela read her thoughts.
"Don't worry. We'll pick up something for the idiot."
Allison noticed someone odd lurking in the corner of the main room. It was a woman wearing a long scarf wrapped around her head, covering part of her face. She seemed nervous and more out of place than Allison herself.
Allison nudged Isabela and leaned close to speak.
"Is it just me or is there something off about that woman over there." She pointed without drawing attention.
Isabela was good at being covert so she was able to find the woman without being obvious.
"Ooh! You've got that right. She's so edgy she's making the customers nervous. Madame Lusine is starting to notice. She'll make her leave."
Almost on cue, a woman wearing a fancy dress approached the stranger. They spoke briefly; the Madame gesturing and the woman shaking her head. Her eyes darted around and Allison thought that she looked like she was about to cry.
Allison didn't think, she just got up and walked over to the distraught woman. She heard Isabela hiss a warning behind her.
Sure enough, as she got closer, Allison saw that the woman was indeed crying. The Madame was telling her to get out and Allison caught a broken reply about the woman's husband and something about warts.
Warts?
"Um…hi. Can I help?" Allison felt foolish but the woman was so distressed.
Madame Lusine turned to her, her cheeks red with anger.
"You can help by minding your own business. I don't need a fishwife coming in here scaring away my customers!" she said in a hard voice.
The woman grabbed Allison's arm. "Please! I need to know if my husband is here yet. It's important. I must know!" her voice rose at the end and Allison hurried to calm her before the owner kicked her out.
"Why don't you come and sit down with me and tell me what's going on?" Allison took the woman and forcibly pulled her to the table.
Lusine muttered something under her breath but let them go.
Isabela watched the whole thing and shook her head. She had been around long enough to know why the woman was here. The last thing she wanted was to get involved in some ridiculous domestic situation. The woman was finely dressed and Isabela was sure that her noble husband had been slumming.
Allison pulled out a chair and gestured for the woman to sit down. Isabela ignored them both and poured another glass of wine.
Realizing that Isabela wasn't interested, Allison smiled nervously.
"So…what's your name?"
The woman wiped her face with her scarf. "My name is Marjorie. Thank you for helping me. That blasted harlot would have thrown me out on the street and then what would I do?"
Isabela continued to drink.
Allison threw her a look but addressed Marjorie. "Why are you looking for your husband here?"
Marjorie flushed and her already blotchy skin turned deep red. "That son of a bitch gave me warts! I'm sure that he's been visiting this…this den of iniquity and I mean to confront him."
Isabela's response was to snicker. "And exactly how were you going to that?" she asked snidely. "If we could pick you out of the crowd, your husband certainly can."
Marjorie stiffened and raised her chin imperiously. For some reason her attitude made Allison feel a little less sorry for her. She was looking at Isabela like she was trash and Allison didn't like it.
"I had a plan. He leaves the house every week around this time. I was going to pay the little whore that normally services him and take her place. When he came in I was going to catch him and demand that he explain himself." Marjorie looked very satisfied with herself.
Allison saw Isabela's expression shift and she had a feeling that she wasn't going to like the next words out of Isabela's mouth.
The pirate made a worried face. "That could be a problem for you."
Marjorie fidgeted. "How so?"
Isabela tapped her chin as if in deep thought. "If you were recognized going into one the chambers, just think of the scandal!" She examined Marjorie's attire. "You're from Hightown, yes? And your husband is from Orlais?"
Allison had no idea how Isabela had figured that out but Marjorie sputtered and glanced around the room with anxious eyes. She arranged her scarf more carefully about her face.
"How did you know that?" the woman rasped.
Isabela made a vague gesture. "It doesn't matter. If someone like me," Isabela winked at Allison. "Could ascertain that, just think how fast your neighbors will find out you being here."
Allison was quite proud of herself for not giggling. Isabela knew precisely what the woman thought of her.
Good for you!
Marjorie's shoulders hunched in defeat. "What can I do?"
Isabela pretended to think about it. "We could do it for you."
Allison almost fell out of her chair at that offer.
"What!" she began, but Isabela kicked her under the table, hard. "Ouch!"
Marjorie was listening. "You?"
Isabela nodded. "We could rent a room and have Lusine tell your husband to meet the girl in there. Of course, renting a room would cost more…"
Allison could almost see the trap spring.
Marjorie looked smug. "That's not a problem, I have the coin. Do it!"
Allison was surprised that the woman didn't seem to understand that she should be more polite and less bitchy.
Isabela smiled and if Allison hadn't known better she would have thought she was being solicitous.
"I'll go and speak to Lusine. We wouldn't want you talking to more people here then you have to. What's your husband's name?" Isabela asked nicely.
"Geralt." Marjorie replied, looking around again.
"Wonderful! Allison, come along will you?"
Allison quickly pushed her chair back and rushed after Isabela.
"What are you doing? You can't be serious about this!" she murmured urgently.
"What I'm doing is making us some money. Watch how this works Precious." Isabela sauntered up to Madame Lusine. "Lusine, that woman that was causing you trouble has a proposition and I need a room."
The Madame glanced over at their table and scowled. "What's my cut and what's the deal?"
Lusine didn't mess around.
Isabela smirked. "You charge triple the going rate. We keep a third and the rest belongs to you and the husband's regular girl. Fair?"
Lusine chuckled darkly. "The wife's trying to bust her man is she? Why should I help; I don't want to lose a regular customer."
Isabela practically beamed. "That's the beauty of it. You still have that passageway out the back right? We'll warn him and he can duck out."
"Done." Lusine agreed. "Tell her it's six sovereigns."
Isabela grinned and took hold of Allison's elbow. "Just think what you and Anders can eat tonight!"
Allison felt sick. "So, we're going to trick this woman, take her money and then help her cheating husband get away? I can't do this Isabela." Allison tried dragging her feet but the pirate was very strong and very stubborn.
"Oh c'mon, grow a pair! Can you imagine living with Lady Thumb Up Her Ass? Besides, he's already got warts. He's paying for it now. This way, the regular girl doesn't have to sleep with him and Her Ladyship gets taken down a peg." Isabela reasoned.
"But it's dishonest Isabela. I don't lie…generally speaking." Allison disagreed. The table was getting closer by the second.
"That's exactly why you need to do this. I can tell that you've been sheltered. I bet you've never even flashed your bosom before." Isabela retorted.
"Why in the hell would I want to do that?" Allison hissed.
"Exactly! You need to live a little."
Allison couldn't say anything because they had reached Marjorie.
"Well?" the woman demanded.
Isabela put her hands on her ample hips. "It'll be six sovereigns."
Marjorie gaped. "Six! You little slut. You expect me to believe that?"
Allison lost her reticence at the woman's insult. She stepped free of Isabela.
"Perhaps you're more of an expert on the price at brothels than you seem. Maybe you've been here before and we shouldn't worry about your reputation?" Allison challenged.
Marjorie went pale and then red again. "I have never… how dare you!"
Isabela shrugged and turned to leave. "I guess you don't need our help. Geralt should be here any minute…"
"Wait!" Marjorie cried and then lowered her voice again. "Here take the blasted money. I don't care just take care of my husband!"
Isabela palmed the coins and bowed slightly. "What shall we tell Geralt when we see him?"
Marjorie gathered her things and stood haughtily. "Tell him to cease this abasing behavior at once. And tell him that I want that ring Jean Luc brought back from Antiva. He knows which one I mean."
With that Marjorie covered her face and hurried out.
Isabela squeezed Allison. "Good job, Precious! I've never been more proud."
Allison grimaced. "That doesn't say much."
Isabela laughed and they returned to Lusine to get the room, telling her to expect Geralt.
Upstairs, Allison made a point of not touching anything in the "special" quarters. While everything was made up and neat, she could only guess at the bodily fluids that had been left behind in this age of no hot water or bleach.
"Relax. You look terrified." Isabela teased while lounging on the bed.
"I am terrified. I know you've never heard of microbes, but it's making my skin crawl just being in here." Allison complained.
Isabela stretched out. "Just imagine Anders' face when you show up with some real food. Even though you should make him work for it after he was such an ass."
Allison slanted a look at her. "I can only imagine what you mean by work for it."
Isabela chuckled. "I'll bet you can."
The door opened and a tall, lanky man with a pointy beard, wearing a suit that looked like it was made of silk walked in. He started immediately and the bouquet of flowers he was holding dropped to the floor.
"Where…where's Charlaine?" he asked as his Adam's apple bobbed nervously.
Isabela sat up slowly and it the man's eyes popped out a bit at the display. Isabela wasn't even trying and Allison had a brief wish that she could make men look at her like that. Well, maybe one man in particular.
Stop it! You don't care, you're going home remember?
"Charlaine's not coming tonight Geralt." Isabela laughed. "Of course that's assuming that she ever came at all."
"Oh my god…" Allison muttered.
Geralt blinked in confusion. "What? What are you talking about? Where is she? Is she alright?"
Allison paid attention to his demeanor. "Do you actually care about Charlaine, Mr…Geralt?" she asked.
He tugged on his colorful suit and picked up the flowers. "I don't see why I should answer you. I don't even know who you are!"
Isabela got up and walked over to sniff the bouquet. "Those are very nice Geralt. Now listen up. You're wife paid us to catch you cheating."
Geralt staggered back into the wall. "Marjorie? She knows about this?"
Isabela folded her arms over her generous chest. How she managed that, Allison had no idea.
"You're not very good at being clandestine." she chided humorously. "Now we have to figure out what to do with you." Isabela tapped her foot on the lush mauve carpet.
Geralt was sweating. "You don't have to tell Marjorie anything. Tell her that I never showed up!"
"Why would we do that?" Isabela asked coyly. Allison had sudden insight where this was going.
Geralt wiped his brow. "I will pay you to keep quiet. How about two sovereigns; one for each of you?" he offered rashly.
Isabela made a show of thinking his offer over but Allison knew that she had planned this from the beginning. The woman was completely unscrupulous and Allison was an accomplice.
Isabela reached out her hand and Geralt dropped two gold coins into it. Isabela smiled and walked over to the far wall sliding a panel open.
"It's a good thing that there's a back door eh?" Isabela said with a smirk.
Geralt flushed and laughed nervously. "Yes, thank you!" he started to step into the passageway when he stopped and turned, handing Isabela the flowers. "Would you make sure that Charlaine gets these?"
Isabela looked surprised but she agreed. "And Geralt? Two things: Marjorie wants that ring from Antiva and you might want to consider alternating your days so the wife doesn't catch you next time."
Allison spoke up quickly. "Oh! And there's a man in Darktown who can probably help you with those um, warts. Just ask around. It would make things better with Marjorie."
The man flushed again, nodded and ducked into the passage. Isabela closed it behind him.
Allison did the unthinkable and sank into a plush chair. She covered her face with her hands.
"I'm a criminal! I just extorted money from two people and I condoned adultery. I'm a terrible person!" she lamented.
"Catch." Isabela called.
Allison looked up just in time to see Isabela toss her a coin and then another. Allison caught the two sovereigns and felt horrible.
Isabela sighed. "Oh Maker! Don't be such a stick in the mud. Things would have gone much worse if we hadn't done something and you made some good coin too. If it makes you feel better you can do penance at the Chantry."
"Maybe I should." Allison grumbled miserably. She wasn't very religious but in this case maybe she should make an exception.
Isabela scoffed at her downcast face. "Did Marjorie seem that upset to you?" she asked patiently.
Allison almost snorted herself. "No. She just wanted a bobble to keep her quiet."
Isabela smiled satisfactorily. "There you have it. No harm done. The rich are still rich, Geralt can still have fun and Marjorie gets her sparkly toy. Think of it like an adventure that you can tell your friends about when you get home." Isabela suggested.
"I don't really have many friends, but I'm going to let it go because there's nothing I can do about it now." Allison acquiesced. "But, you're going to help soothe my conscience. I want to see this Chantry."
Isabela gagged. "What for!"
Allison grinned. "If it makes you that uncomfortable it's worth it. But also because Anders has talked about it and I'm curious."
"Ugh!" Isabela complained.
Allison pulled her along, out of the room and down the stairs. "Come on, no rest for the wicked." she teased.
Isabela stopped to give the Madame her cut and they stepped out into the afternoon light.
Isabela tugged on her corset. "If we're going to the Chantry, I'm glad I've been drinking all day."
They walked down the cobbled street together and Allison enjoyed the sun on her face.
"Are you religious Isabela?" she asked.
"Yes and no. I don't believe in the Maker, though it's fun to use in swears but I do believe that there's more to life than being born, living in misery and dying covered in your own sick." she stated.
Allison wasn't sure how to respond to that. "You have an interesting take on life don't you?"
Isabela just smiled blithely. "I may not have wanted to stay in Rivain but I haven't forgotten what my mother taught me."
"What did she teach you?" Allison asked, urging her on. Finding out Isabela had a spiritual side was surprising and she wanted to know more.
Isabela looked a little discomfited. She wasn't used to talking about such things and no one had asked her before, not even Anders or Varric.
"The Rivaini believe in Nature as an entity. There's no Maker, no Andraste, and no bloody Chantry to scare people into believing sex is wicked." She smiled silkily. "All of those poor little Templars, devoting themselves to the Maker and his Bride. Keeping themselves pure. It's positively wasteful." she purred.
Allison ignored part of her comment. "Templars can't get married?"
Isabela's eyes glittered. "Are you interested in a particular Templar? Varric told me about the Knight-Captain."
Allison was actually lost for a second before she realized who Isabela was talking about.
"You mean that Cullen guy? I just met him. Why would I be interested in him?"
Isabela looked ready to scold her. "Time is wasting Dear. Don't you want to try out what Thedas has to offer before you go home?"
"Oh sure. I'd love to go back with an STD. That'd be great." Allison said derisively. Isabela didn't know what STD meant so she elaborated. "I don't want warts. Thanks though."
"Your loss."
Allison wanted to get back to what they were talking about. "Tell me more about Rivain."
Isabela looked up at the light blue sky. The sun was shifting on its way down towards the horizon. It made her yearn for the sea.
"It's just a place. There's water all around it. I used to look out at the sea when I was a child and imagine what was on the other side. My grandmother was a seer among my people; what the bloody Chantry would call a mage." Her face tightened with that statement. "She was well respected. I know that she wished I'd gotten "the gift" as well."
Allison wanted to know more. "What about your mother?"
Isabela laughed though it sounded a little sad. "My mother wanted me to have babies; lots of them. Can you imagine me as a mother?"
Again Allison opted for honesty. "I think that you would protect your child with everything you had although the first thing they said would probably be a curse word."
Isabela chuckled. "I'm sure you're right. But alas, I never had that desire. I just wanted to feel the spray of the ocean on my face. Have you ever been out to sea?"
Allison shook her head. "No. Where I come from people can go on cruises on ships but I never went. It felt too pathetic to go on my own."
Isabela looked baffled. "Why did you spend so much time alone back in your world? From what I've seen, with a little encouragement you're quite a bit of fun."
Allison was surprised at how good Isabela's compliment made her feel. She wasn't known for being the life of the party back home. She preferred to stay at home and read or to go on walks alone.
She shrugged. "My parents were very protective of me because I was sick. They watched every little thing I did because they were worried that I'd fall or have a seizure and they wouldn't be there to help."
Isabela didn't bother being polite. "What's wrong with you?"
Her frank question made Allison laugh. "It's called epilepsy. To keep it simple, there's something wrong with my brain and it makes me have seizures from time to time."
Isabela considered that for a moment. "Can it kill you?"
"If I didn't take medicine and I had a bad enough one, sure. But I have medication and I don't have them as often as I used to." Allison replied.
"But you could have some kind of fit while we're together?" Isabela pressed.
Allison felt her muscles tense. Was Isabela going to be like some of her past so-called friends who got freaked out by her illness? Her expression went blank. It was a defense mechanism when she thought she would need to hide her reactions.
"The word fit is kind of antiquated but yes, it could happen. Does it make you uncomfortable to have me around?" Allison asked dully. Her tone was so different that Isabela looked startled.
"Why would it make me uncomfortable? I'm asking so you can tell me what to do if something happens. Don't be stupid!" Isabela answered irritably.
Allison was relived. "I'm sorry for the attitude but I've had some bad experiences in the past with people when it comes to this."
Isabela stopped and put her hands on her hips. "Do I look like people?" she scoffed.
She had her there. "No, you do not." Allison said with amusement. "And thank goodness for that."
They started walking again.
"To answer your question; there's not a whole lot that you can do here in Thedas. If I have a seizure, roll me onto my side. Don't stick anything in my mouth." She saw Isabela open hers and cut her off. "Shut up Isabela." The pirate cackled merrily.
"As I was saying, you could loosen my collar, but don't try to hold me down, it won't help. Normally some sort of medical help would arrive but there's nothing like that here." she finished.
"There's Anders. He could help." Isabela said.
"No he can't. For some reason my mind repels Anders' magic. He can't heal me or help me when that happens." Allison stated.
Isabela found that interesting. "So, your otherworldly mind isn't affected by Anders' powers. And Varric tells me that you had a reaction to rune stones?"
Allison didn't know where she was going. "Yes, why?"
"Don't you think that's odd? I mean you're still human no matter where you come from. Why can't he heal you and why did the enchantments cause you to hear music? Personally, I'd be curious to know." Isabela replied with interest.
"I don't know that I'll be here long enough for us to figure that out Isabela. Anders is very eager for me to go home and I'm sure he'll figure out how to get me there soon." The thought of Anders' seeming impatience with her made Allison's face fall.
"Don't fret. Everything will work out. And just look at all you've done since you got here. I think you've made up for that boring life already." Isabela said cheerily.
Allison blew out a harsh breath. "Yes, being attacked by thugs, meeting a mage, a dwarf and a pirate, and stealing money from people in a whore house. I've really done my parent's proud."
"Will you tell them about this when you get back?" Isabela asked.
Allison tried not to tense up again. "They're dead, so no."
"Sorry."
"Yea, me too." Allison was glad that Isabela didn't dig into it further.
"So, the short of it is: if you get ill, I'm to roll you over, unbutton your shirt and try my best not to put something in your mouth. Is that right?" Isabela ticked off the items on her fingers and gave Allison a loaded look.
Allison laughed which is what she was sure Isabela had wanted.
They climbed a large set of stairs before coming to a huge set of imposing looking carved doors.
"You wanted to see the Chantry so let's go in." Isabela waved her on.
"This is a church?" Allison asked with trepidation. "It doesn't look very friendly."
"Welcome to Thedas." was Isabela's retort.
Isabela pulled the large doors open and the scent of candles wafted to Allison's nose. They really liked their vaulted ceilings in Kirkwall.
There was a hush about the place that seemed to befit a place of worship. Allison saw women in ornate robes huddled in various corners talking.
Isabela leaned close. "Smell that? Smells like repression doesn't it?"
The women overheard her and made faces of disapproval.
Allison moved forward quickly, taking in the architecture. She looked up and…
"Oh…my…God."
There was an immense statue on a dais in front of them. It gleamed like gold but it couldn't be; the cost would have been enormous!
It was obviously a woman and her head was arrayed with spires that looked like the sun. Strangely the deity had a sword. Was she a god of war?
"Who is that?" Allison whispered in awe.
Isabela looked bored. "That is Andraste; Bride of the Maker if you believe in all that."
Allison was flabbergasted. "Why does she have a sword?"
Isabela laughed, gaining a few irate looks from the others around them.
"Andraste was all about Exalted Marches. And what better way to bring people over to your way of thinking than with bloodshed?" Isabela remarked.
"She killed people?" Allison asked.
"Oh yes. You can pretty much trace the mistreatment of mages, the hatred of elves and the power of the Chantry all back to the Maker's Bride. People love thinking that they're better than everyone else and Andraste gave them a cause." Isabela peered up at the statue. "I don't even think she looks that pretty. What the Maker ever saw in her I have no idea."
Allison wanted to get a closer look so she crossed the floor and climbed up the steps. The statue was even more intimating up close. She had to crane her neck to look up.
"She doesn't seem very approachable." Allison observed. "Where are statues of the Maker?"
Isabela shrugged.
"There aren't any. I guess he was too busy to pose. Of course it serves the Chantry well to have the flock focus on Andraste because she hated mages. It helps them to get the support of the people in locking them up. But as Anders is only too happy to point out; the Maker still gifts the world with magic. Why would he do that if magic was evil?" Isabela scrunched her face up. "Ugh, I've been listening to Anders go on too much. Don't tell him I said any of that."
Allison struggled to keep up. Religion was not her forte in either world.
"So, it's the Chantry that makes all of the mages stay in the Circle?" she said, trying to keep the facts straight.
"It's not just the mages Dear. The Chantry believes that everyone who doesn't follow the Chant of Light needs to be saved. Especially other races like the elves and the dwarves. And they have an army to back it up: The Templars." Isabela said a reproachful glance around her.
Allison frowned. "It doesn't seem right to use force to convert people. A church having its own sounds dangerous."
"Tell Anders that when you get back and he may kiss you again." Isabela said with a saucy grin.
Allison sighed. "Speaking of Anders, let's get out of here. This place is kind of heavy."
"If you mean boring and dripping with sanctimonious hypocrisy, you're right." Isabela glided to the door and at the last second, she turned and winked at the group of women that was staring at them. "Bye, bye ladies!"
Allison hurried out after her, hoping that if the Maker did exist, he wouldn't smite them for that.
On the way back to Anders' clinic, Allison bought some rather poor cuts of red meat from a vendor who nonetheless seemed respectable. She saw that Thedas had vinegar so she grabbed some of that as well as salt and other spices. Allison rounded out her purchases with some vegetables to make sure there was some nutrition.
She knew that stretching out their food supply was important and she was happy that Isabela had been with her because the pirate had been able to haggle the prices down so that Allison still had a sovereign left.
Not knowing exactly how long she would be there, Allison figured that keeping a bit of money was good.
It was early evening by the time Isabela walked her to the clinic door.
"There you are, safe and sound." Isabela bowed theatrically.
Allison's purchases were in a sack so she had a free hand. She impulsively threw her arm around Isabela and hugged her.
"Thank you for taking me with you today. Despite the fact that I engaged in questionable activities, I had a really good time. The best I've had in a long time actually."
Isabela was startled by Allison's sudden display of affection but she was also pleased. It was a new experience to be hugged by someone without that person trying to feel her up or expecting sex in exchange for closene
"You're welcome. As long as you're here, I'll be happy for your company. I'll see if I can dream up something even more exciting for next time." Isabela promised with a laugh.
"Something non-criminal though ok?" Allison added.
"Spoil sport." Isabela pouted but she waked away with a grin.
Allison stared at the clinic doors. Lanterns had been lit and they swayed gently in the slight breeze coming from the ocean. The sound of the waves was comforting and she needed comfort when she thought about facing Anders after what had happened. Would he still be cold? Maybe he didn't even care and she was the only one obsessing about their kiss. Maybe he had been glad to be rid of her all day.
Allison reached for the door but it swung open suddenly and she almost fell forward.
Strong hands grabbed her arms and Allison looked up into Anders' amber eyes. His face was lined with worry and his hair looked messy like he had been running his fingers through it.
"Where in the hell have you been!" he roared. "Do you know that I've been going out of my mind thinking that something terrible had happened to you?"
He pulled her inside and slammed the door behind her.
"I went to The Hanged Man and Varric told me that you had run of with Isabela of all people! Are you insane?" he shouted.
Allison was dazed and confused. Several words bubbled up to her lips and she tried to grasp a few of them.
"Why would you care?" she asked but her voice was mild not accusatory.
Anders blinked and then opened and closed his mouth. Her question seemed to astonish him.
"Why would I…what do you mean? Of course I care!"
He said it like she should have known better and it made Allison bristle.
"Don't say it like that!" she snapped. "When I left this morning you couldn't wait to get rid of me so don't pretend to be the caring, gentle healer now."
She elbowed past him and set the sack down on the table which wobbled under the weight of the groceries.
She didn't turn to look at him; she was too flustered and irritated. Instead she took the food out of the bag and organized what she'd need to preserve the meat.
Vinegar, salt, spices…
She could feel him standing behind her. The heat from his body was already familiar and it made her hands unsteady.
"I'm sorry." he said quietly.
She didn't respond.
Anders caught her hand and pulled her around to face him. He stared into her eyes intently; his other hand coming up to cup her face.
"Allison, I'm sorry. Really. I shouldn't have acted like that. You didn't do anything wrong, it was me."
Allison scowled but she was loathe to move away from him.
"Are you using the: 'It's not you, it's me' line?" she asked acerbically.
He smiled slightly. "It's true. It is me. I wish…I wish that things were different but…" he sighed in frustration. "I can't explain it to you."
Allison folded her arms and arched an eyebrow.
"Is it you or is it Justice?" she asked.
Anders' hand fell to his side numbly.
"How do you know about him?" he asked in a hushed tone.
Allison rolled her eyes. "You act like someone's listening. It's just you and me and well… him. So maybe we should talk."
Anders sat down heavily and Allison saw that he looked exhausted and changed plans.
"I got some food to cook. How about we have dinner first and then you can tell me about your friend?" she offered.
Allison filled a pot with water and began heating it over the fire.
Anders was bemused. "I'm surprised you didn't run away screaming when you found out about Justice. I'm assuming Varric and Isabela told you?"
"Yes. I learned a lot today." she replied. "But, why would I run?"
Anders gaze was stark and vulnerable.
"I'm a freak. My joining with Justice is unnatural. There are many that would brand me an abomination." He answered, checking her expression for signs of fear. There was none.
"I learned about abominations too and I can tell that you're not one of those." Allison said with certainty. "Abominations sound terrifying and I'm not scared of you."
Anders' eyes seem to harden. "Maybe you should be."
Allison discounted his warning.
"Too bad for you because I'm not." She went back to preparing dinner.
Anders got up, just noticing that she had food.
"Where in the world did you get all of that?" he asked, completely bewildered.
Allison froze and scrambled for an explanation that wouldn't make Anders' unforeseen anger return, but she couldn't think of anything but the truth.
She wiped her hands nervously on her jeans and turned around.
"Um, funny story." she said.
Anders looked like he didn't believe that for a second. "Really?" he said ominously. "By all means, amuse me." He waited, folding his arms over his chest.
Allison bit her bottom lip and Anders had apparently become familiar with that habit being a tell that she was apprehensive. He simply raised one eyebrow, saying nothing.
"Well, there's this place called the Blooming Rose…" she began.