The fight had to be delayed, however. Zevran had spent the whole afternoon doing tasks for Wynne–collecting mushrooms, delivering healing potions to ill dwarves, or running to the Shaperate for a tome the Shapers had promised to lend her. When he finally returned to the house, he was too tired to lift a fork. At least Alistair was even worse. He had had to chase escaped nugs all across the Orzammar; then Leliana decided to save them from the cruel but tasty end as nug pancakes, and had asked Alistair to take them to Bodahn, until she found a better solution. It took him three trips all the way to the surface.
Zevran flashed a smile at his rival across the table. Being a secretary to a famous spirit healer was much better than being a nug nanny, as he had already hinted for a few times, when the ladies couldn't hear him.
They were just finishing their meals when they heard a happy mabari barking. And there was only one mabari in Orzammar. Zevran leapt up from the chair and raced downstairs to the entrance door, but Alistair was faster. With a triumphant 'Ha!' he opened the door–and the next moment, a huge mass of fur and teeth leaped on him.
"Getoffme!" he wailed. "Toothie, gettoff!" The mabari ignored him, determined to lick every part of his face thoroughly first.
With an overweening smile, Zevran stepped over the fool to greet Aira who was pattering towards the house on those sinful high heels.
"Zevran, Alistair!" She waved them. Zevran felt an irrational pang of joy that she mentioned his name first.
"Already back?" he asked, grinning widely. "You, my dear, are ridiculously awesome."
"Naturally," she replied haughtily. "But this time, I just came back for you. I've changed my mind, see. You… still want to go, right?"
Zevran couldn't believe his luck. "Ah my dear Warden. Did you miss me? Of course I will come. I am your man, no?"
She beamed at him, and turned to Alistair who had finally managed to convince the mabari to let him go and scrambled back to his feet. "And what about you, Al? Will you also join the expedition to unravel the mysteries of the Deep Roads?"
"With pleasure," he said, shooting triumphant look at Zevran.
"Then you better go pack yourself. No time to waste!"
"I am already packed," Zevran quickly assured her. "I had no doubts this would happen. I am too irresistible to be left behind, no?"
Alistair rolled his eyes. "I'm packed too," he said. "Grey Wardens are always ready."
"Excellent!" Aira clapped her hands excitedly. "Just as I expected from my two favourite boys! Hurry up and get ready, then. Toothie will take you to the others, you should reach them in an hour or two."
"Toothie will take us?" Alistair asked incredulously. "What about you?"
Aira looked at him, surprised. "Why, haven't you heard me? I said I changed my mind. The Deep Roads are no place for a lady."