Note: What would a story be from someone named Zute if it didn't involve spanking?

Reaping the Weeds of Hate

Fergus was ready to leap out of his skin, he was so nervous. But he could adeptly hide it behind his courtier manners. He and Arl Eamon presented their counter-proposal to the Queen and her adviser. There were minor changes but nothing about the government would change structurally. Anora would still be essentially managing the Kingdom and Fergus would be in charge of the military. The engagement would be announced this evening at dinner.

But Fergus asked the Queen for a private moment and the advisers both left them alone. He smiled at Anora and cleared his throat.

"The Cousland family isn't in the habit of making arranged marriages," he started. Anora nodded. "However, as you've pointed out this match is good for Ferelden. I hope, my Queen, this is also a good match for us. I believe that love is essential to a successful marriage, arranged or not." He took her hand and kissed it gently, lingering over the task. Then he got down on a knee before her. With his other hand he fished a beautiful ring engagement ring out of his pocket.

"Anora, I would like to ask you to marry me, in the manner that Cousland men ask their wives."

Anora smiled. Her eyes held a hint of surprise and warmth.

"I can't tell you I love you, just yet. However, it is the tradition of my family to love, and love deeply. If you are my wife, then I expect to follow that Cousland tradition. Anora, will you marry me?" He looked directly into her eyes and saw a blush rise to her cheeks.

"I will marry you, Fergus Cousland." Anora smiled, touched by his sentimental proposal. Fergus slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her hand once more. Then Fergus rose and pulled her into an embrace. She felt a little stiff and tense in his arms. He bent and kissed her gently on the forehead. She pulled away after a few moments.

"Well, Fergus, I think we will have some news to share tonight." Anora smiled graciously.

They exchanged smiles once again and parted.

Zevran and Wisteria along with two of Fergus's guards were making good time to Amaranthine. The weather was decent although very cold. Many of the trees had lost their leaves, making it harder for potential snipers to hide. Zevran was still watching for them.

"So you really believe her, Wist?" Zevran asked. "You know this woman talks out both sides of her mouth. Remember how she turned on you at Howe's estate?"

"Yes, Zev. I do believe her. We talked about that and I believe her when she says it was because she didn't know if she could trust Cauthrien." Wisteria wasn't having much luck convincing Zevran that Anora was being genuine. He was being very stubborn about it.

Zevran was getting very frustrated with her. She just had this incredible naiveté sometimes. In this case, he thought it was due to wanting to see her brother happily wed and having something of a family again. Yet something about her naiveté was very attractive to him. He was the opposite, cynical and jaded. Assuming the worst about human nature and usually seeing he was right. Sometimes his cynicism was harmful, like what happened with Rinna. He had made the most cynical judgment possible and it had been horribly wrong. He decided that he wouldn't try to change Wisteria. Life was likely to do it without his assistance. Still, she did need to remain on her guard.

He pulled up close to her horse and spoke in a low voice. "Just promise me you won't completely trust her yet. Stay on your guard, Wisteria."

Wisteria looked at him, he was worried. How sweet! She leaned over and kissed him. "I promise." Then she gave a small yelp and slapped at her neck and yelled "DART!"

Zevran nearly yanked her out of the saddle looking for the dart. She laughed and kicked her horse into a gallop and heard an angry Antivan curse at her and follow. The two guards looked alarmed and went after them, but neither were very good riders and they were quickly just dots on the horizon.

While Zevran was pursuing her she was reminded of her daydreams from a few weeks back. She made for a fenced meadow and Cloud cleared the fence easily. She slowed him and turned to watch if Zevran would make the jump. Honey had no problems with the jump. She spurred Cloud on again, laughing still. Zevran caught up to her and caught hold of Clouds bridle and slowed him. Wisteria shot him a defiant look, daring him. She knew from his reply look she was in trouble. He brought both their horses to a halt and pulled her from the saddle.

"You're not too big to spank, Missy." He glared at her with mock fury, tinged with real irritation. He swatted her on the behind.

She looked at him, biting her lip, trying to look chastened. "I'm sorry, Zev." She hugged him and burst out laughing.

He glared at her, "If it weren't the middle of the damn winter I'd...", he stopped talking as he visualized what he was about to say, realizing suddenly that the punishment he was about to propose wouldn't be, for either of them.

"Hmmmmm?" Wisteria prodded him. "You'd what?" She crowded up against him, invading his personal space. "The guards have nearly caught up to us. But we're not too terribly far from the Inn we're stopping at for the evening. And it seem there will be several hours before dinner is served." She kissed the air next to his ear, still acting sassy and taunting him.

She kept it up the entire time they rode to the Inn. Teasing him, provoking him, daring him. He was threatening all manner of torments in return. Fergus's guards escorting them wisely hung back. By the time they reached the Inn they were quite ready to retire to their room.

Zevran latched the lock and turned to glare at her. "All right, Miss Cousland. I've had enough of your sass today." She stood tall, insubordinate, hand on her waist a defiant smirk on her lips. He yanked her over to an armless chair and turned her over his knees. She didn't try too hard to resist, but wriggled just enough to make her protests almost convincing. Yelps turned into moans and she was scooped up and dump onto the bed. The hours until dinnertime passed and Wisteria endured her punishments somehow. But they were thoroughly exhausted after a full day of riding, followed by more riding. They clomped down the stairs to dinner, weary to the bone, yet satisfied at the end of the day. Hard work is so rewarding, thought Wisteria.

The two guards escorting them were well into their dinner and drinking. Both were looking a little tipsy already. Wisteria nodded to them but she and Zevran found a small table across the room. Wisteria sat and Zevran told her to skooch over, he sat on the same side as her. The Innkeeper brought them two tankards of ale. Zevran's hand found hers under the table and he put his hand on top of hers. It surprised her. He wasn't much of one to show affection out side of the bedroom. She looked into his face and his eyes were like warm pools of honey, a little smile on his lips.

"Am I forgiven for my little prank?" she asked, smiling mischievously.

He leaned in close to her ear, "Yes, you are forgiven," he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Wisteria felt her knees grow weak. He was being... sweet? Romantic? "I think I need a cushion, this wooden bench is particularly uncomfortable this evening, for some reason." She couldn't help the silly smile.

"Allow me, my lady." Zevran rose, with a parting squeeze of her hand, and went off in search of a cushion for her abused posterior. He returned with two. After all, he had spent the day in the saddle as well.

Wisteria leaned against him and sighed. He put an arm around her waist and she felt she could drift off to sleep there. She didn't care who saw them, even though the Inn was actually quite crowded. Her mind lazily wondered at how crowded the Inn was, middle of winter and all. Trade to Amaranthine must really be picking up. The stein of beer in front of smelled temptingly malty, but she was too tired to heft it. She just stared at it, watching the bubbles break. She dipped a finger into it and swirled it lazily. The motion made the bubbles break more aggressively, against the sheen of a rainbow. Rainbow? Oil on water. She hadn't noticed until she stirred the drink. Zevran was lifting his stein to his lips and she grasped his hand and forced him to lower it.

She leaned over to his ear, "I think our ale is doctored." He laughed out loud, as if she had just made an improper suggestion to him. He pulled her close and whispered, "Good catch. What is it?"

Oh great! We're given poison drinks and he wants to turn it into a teaching moment.

She lifted it to her nose and smelled, the hops and yeast smell was strong, but there was something else there. Something soapy smelling. She tasted her finger that she stirred the ale with. Bitter. "Somniferum?", she whispered to Zevran. He nodded. Someone wanted us to sleep very soundly tonight or be slowed down. She looked over to the guards escorting them, they were either extremely drunk or they'd gotten a good strong dose and were in danger of falling asleep at their table.

She lifted her tankard and pretended to drink, so did Zevran. He leaned in close to pretend to kiss her but whispered. "This is a busy Inn tonight. Everyone seems to be cold, they're wearing cloaks." It wasn't that cold inside the Inn. There was a huge fireplace and it was blazing. They were both dressed in comfortable peasant wear, they liked when they could be themselves. Wisteria pretended to laugh at something Zevran said. "I'm naked," she whispered referring to the fact she was unarmed, "are you?" He guided her hand down his leg. She could feel a dagger strapped to his calf.

The Innkeeper brought out the roast lamb and yams and they served themselves.

"What should we do?" Wisteria murmured, hoping Zevran had a really good idea, figuring as soon as they started to look sleepy something would happen. Fortunately her sex-hazed mind had cleared and a shot of adrenaline was busy priming her system to fight or flee.

"Eat." He gestured at the lamb. "This is really good."

She was starving, she still had the appetite of a Grey Warden, even if it wasn't quite as voracious as a new recruit's. She dug into the lamb, but ate lightly, knowing a full belly wasn't good to fight on.

"How the hell are we going to get out of this room alive?" She murmured as she wiped her lips on her napkin.

"I think the two guys over by the stairs are probably likely to be archers. Crossbows probably, more compact, easier to hide. Takes awhile to load though. Those four at the table by the kitchen, warriors probably."

"No one behind us, that's the good news." Wisteria murmured.

Zevran wiggled his dagger out of his pants leg and surreptitiously coated it with something.

"OK, here's the plan. Lets stage an argument. You say something loud and slap me. Then make for the stairs. Stay to the left, I'm going to wing this at the archer on the right. You take out the one on the left. Then we'll have those four to deal with. Go."

"You miserable, bastard!" Wisteria pushed Zevran away from her and slapped him. Her angry outburst silenced the other diners. She got up from the table and marched huffily to the stairs, staying to the left.

"Now!" Someone shouted and the four at the table rose and pulled weapons. As predicted the two by the stairs were archers, but Wisteria had gotten behind them. Zevran's dagger struck one, in the arm, but at least he was wounded and it would make fighting back more difficult. Wisteria used the banister on the stairs to launch herself at the other archer. She hit him squarely in the chest with her feet, just as he was turning. He went down and she landed with her feet on either side of his arms. Her hand folded at the knuckles making it strong and hard, and she punched him in the throat. Chowder chute strike, she thought. The archer lay choking on the ground.

The other archer had backed off a little to pull the knife out. She launched herself into a spinning kick and her foot met with the side of his head. It knocked him off balance and she was able to close the gap to him. She grabbed the dagger sticking out of his arm. "Can I borrow this? Thanks!" She gave it a vicious twist as she removed it. He fainted from the pain, or perhaps Zevran's Crow poison had kicked in, or both.

Their two guards were wearily trying to rouse themselves but seemed to have problems focusing on anything. One of the four fighters was advancing on them, ready to make quick work of killing them. Two were coming for Wisteria, it seemed they wanted her. The fourth was heading to Zevran. Wisteria retreated to the stairs, they were awfully useful. One warrior had a big two-handed mace and the muscles to really put some hurt into it. The other was wielding a sword and a dagger. She was backing up the stairs, looking for a useful opening. They just kept coming. Then she heard someone mumbling behind her and looked.

Crap, a mage! He was gesturing, casting some spell. She dashed up the few stairs separating them and drove her elbow into his temple before he could finish. She felt a few fingers of flame licking her arms but she had stopped the bulk of the spell. He started to go limp, but she used the momentum of his fall to push him into the two warriors coming at her. The mage's fall carried one of the warriors down, but the one with wicked looking mace was still coming, and picking up speed. Wisteria hesitated and looked back, to see if there were any more surprises. There was a warrior with a shield and a sword at the top of the stairs coming down. Suddenly the stairs seemed like a bad idea.

Zevran armed himself with a chair and met the warrior advancing on him. He feinted with a jab of the chair to his chest but then used the legs of the chair to entangle his attacker's legs. The warrior went down, but was up quickly and was much more careful now. Zevran shrugged and put the chair down. He stepped away from the chair a little as if to say he wasn't going to use it as a weapon. The warrior looked puzzled but charged Zevran. Zevran was close enough to hook the chair with his foot and slam it into the side of the warriors knee. The warrior howled and bent over with pain. Zevran smashed the chair down on his back and he fell to the ground.

The attacker who went for the drugged guards had killed one and was about to get the second when the chair came down on him. Zevran took a moment to relieve him of his weapons.

Not bad weapons, he thought.

He looked up and saw Wisteria surrounded on the stairs. He ran for the stairs but Wisteria had other ideas, she jumped over the railing and fell 10 feet to the dining room below. She landed well and was quickly up. Zevran changed course and met up with her down below.

"Not bad, Wist. Two archers, a warrior, and what's that, a mage?"

"Yeah, the stinker was at the top of the stairs. But you get credit for that one archer. Dagger did most of the work."

"I'm thinking that guy with the huge mace doesn't have much room to swing it on the stairs." Zevran noted.

Wisteria nodded. "Yeah, I was just concerned about the fellow with the shield."

Meanwhile the attacker with the giant mace was at the bottom of the stairs coming for them. He pulled his big mace back for a nasty sweep at them both and they both just watched for a moment and easily stepped out of his way. He was horribly off balance and Zevran swept him with a leg and he fell backwards, hands still gripping his ridiculous weapon.

Wisteria squatted over his chest, prepared to crush his windpipe but instead she decided to use the side of her hand against his temple. She really hated seeing people choking and suffocating. It just seemed excessively cruel. The chop to the side of the head worked. He was either unconscious or dead or doing a good job of pretending to be.

The man with the shield and sword was paused on the stairs realizing he was the last one standing. He started to back up.

Zevran laughed, "Where do you think you're going to go, friend? Come on down and have a chat with us and we might let you go."

"All right, I surrender. The man dropped his weapons and trudged down the stairs."

"Let me check the casualties and secure any survivors. You question him. Do whatever you need to do to get answer. Don't make me have to resort to pulling out his teeth one at a time. I hate doing that. It's so messy." Wisteria glared at the man. She and Zevran played games with people they were questioning. This time she was the scary angry one, Zevran could be the nice friendly one.

She got busy looking for survivors. The mage was dead, the man the mage was on top of had a broken neck. The stabbed archer was alive. The other one had suffocated noisily. Wisteria apologized to him for that. She tied up all the survivors. She helped the surviving guard up to his room and bandaged his wound. He was at least going to sleep well, thanks to the drugs in his ale.

Next she went to find the Innkeeper. He was hiding in the kitchen behind a barrel. He was shaking with fear. "I'm sorry," he said, "They had my wife and daughter tied up and were going to kill them if I didn't do what they said."

"Is there anyone left we haven't seen?" Wisteria asked.

The Innkeeper shook his head. "The leader was one of the archers."

"Show me," Wisteria ordered him. He pointed out the dead one. "Maker's balls!" Wisteria cursed.

"Lets check on your wife and daughter."

The Innkeeper guided Wisteria up the stairs to a room. He unlocked it with trembling fingers and there was a woman and a girl tied up. Wisteria got them free and went back downstairs to check on Zevran.

"Well, do I need to get my toothpullers out?" Wisteria asked, her hands on her hips.

"No, darling, I think we got everything we can. Do you know someone named Bann Esmerelle?"

Wisteria's eyebrows rose in surprised. "Yes, but she's dead."

"Apparently her son is quite alive... or rather was. He's that archer over there." He was the one who choked to death with the crushed windpipe.

Wisteria turned to him and looked at him closely. There was a resemblance. He was young, a handful of years younger than her. He had that same kind of pouty mouth his mother did. Same dark hair and eyes. And he certainly could have been holding a major grudge against her. His mother had attempted to kill her too, and died in the attempt. If that wasn't bad enough, he was probably going to be his mother's heir of the Bann that included the city of Amaranthine and well, she had burned that.

"And the others?" She asked.

"Hired mercenaries."

She pulled him aside. "Should we let them go?" She asked, her voice low. "Was anyone else involved in this plot?"

Zevran shook his head, "It looks like they only know about the boy. He's the one who hired them. Had quite a lot of gold for the job, access to poisons. Does that make sense to you?"

Wisteria thought. Bann Esmerelle had been the wealthiest vassal in Amaranthine, even though the city was lost, he could have had access to quite a lot of money.

"It makes sense."

"Lets let them go then," Zevran suggested. Wisteria nodded.

Wisteria cut free all the mercenaries and told them to get out. While she was busy doing that Zevran was rifling through the dead boy's clothes. He found a note written on very fine stationary, he read it quickly and tucked it into a pocket.

When they finished up, Wisteria remembered how hungry she was.

"Come on, lets finish dinner", she yanked Zevran back to the table. He marveled at her appetite. The cold lamb wasn't all that appealing to him but she seemed to like it, and the sight of dead men laying about didn't diminish it one bit.

They left the Innkeeper to deal with the mess and went back upstairs and latched the door securely. They fell into bed, exhausted and slept peacefully.