A/N - Time to get on with our Dalish group

M'Gann was sitting in a tavern inn literally in the middle of no where that the group had pain a sovereign to stay in the night before. She hated being trapped within a video game. She was forced to have Caucasian skin constantly, and she had absolutely no access to her full Martian powers. She still had telepathy and telekinesis, but her density shifting and shape shifting powers were completely gone. At the moment she, Artemis, and Zatanna were glaring at Mahariel. The elf was gambling at a table and he was winning, but they were supposed to be looking for the Dalish Elves not wasting more time.

"Why did Dick send us with him," growled Zatanna. "He's so annoying."

"So annoying in a cute kind of way," said Artemis sipping her mead.

"Eww," said M'Gann. "Artemis did you hit your head on something?"

"Oh come; I'm not the only one who's looked at Mahariel. He's handsome, muscular, surprisingly very hygienic compared to everyone else we've passed, and did I already mention he's handsome?"

"Well regardless," said Zatanna waving the elf over. "We need to find these damn elves and get them to help out with the Blight."

"Hey girls," said Mahariel walking over. He grabbed Artemis' cup and drained the rest of her glass earning him a glare. "What do you need?"

"We need to get the hell out of here elf," cried M'Gann. "We stayed here last night because we'd been on the road nearly a week, but now we need to keep on moving. We're about another 2 days from the Brecilain Forest and you gambling isn't going to help us get there."

"Oh come on M'Gann, one more hour please?"

"No Mahariel, we're ready to keep moving."

"Correct me if I'm wrong but last time I checked, I was the Grey Warden of the group and in charge. And guess what, I say that we're staying for another day; maybe two if I keep on winning."

With that the black haired elf turned around and left to continue his gambling. And not four seconds later, a woman came and sat on his lap holding a drink. The elf began kissing her neck and whispering in her ear.

"Oh hell no," said Zatanna folding her arms.

"That's it," said M'Gann standing up with a dagger. "I'm so sick of his shit; he's dead."

"Let me handle this," said Artemis with a smirk.

M'Gann sat back down and watched as the archer walked over to the table. She waved to Mahariel and then whispered something in the woman's ear. Five seconds later, the woman turned slapped the shit out of Mahariel, poured her drink on his head, got off his lap and walked away. The soaking wet elf glared at Artemis, grabbed his sword and shield and indicated it was time to leave.

"What did you tell that woman Artemis," asked Zatanna when they were back on the road.

Artemis smirked and replied," welllll… I kinda told her Mahariel was my boyfriend and that I caught him sleeping with another man."

"What a way to ruin his rep," said M'Gann.

"Word of advice human," said Mahariel. "If you're going to tell a lie, make sure it's actually believable. First off, even if it were true; humans would NEVER tell other humans their in any kind of relationship with an elf. Secondly, no one mentally competent would believe you and I were courting."

"And why is that," asked Artemis.

"Simple, I have taste and standards."

"Ouch," said Zatanna.

"And last but not least; I'd appreciate you not spreading lies about me. I've never been caught sleeping with anyone whether they be man or woman."

M'Gann stopped walking as did Artemis and Zatanna.

"You've slept with other men," asked Artemis.

"Yeah," said Mahariel at once. "I was known to be pretty… Creators what's the word… oh; promiscuous among my clan."

"And you don't have a problem with that," said M'Gann.

"Why should I? I am who I am; I'm not living my life to try and please anybody else... unless the circumstance calls for it of course."

M'Gann found it hard to be angry with Mahariel after that confession he'd just given them. The group was quiet for the most part when suddenly a woman came running up to them. She had a black eye, her hair was frazzled, and her dress was torn.

"Help please," she screamed. "My caravan is getting attacked."

They all drew their weapons and rushed after her. Up ahead a fire was burning and a large wooden caravan was ablaze. There were bodies all over the floor with stab wounds and one body was completely charred.

"Oh man," whispered Artemis as they got closer. "This is horrible."

"All of you stay on guard," warned Mahariel. "Something isn't right here."

As soon as he said that, an arrow flew for Zatanna what M'Gann mentally stopped. An elf in brown leather armor came forward. His skin was the color of caramel; he had blond hair and a tattoo going down the side of his face. He pulled two daggers off his hips and raised them. Two archers rose, a man with a shield appeared closely followed by a man with a great sword, and the woman turned around and her hands started sparking.

"AMBUSH," yelled Zatanna raising her hands. She pointed at an archer and cried," evres em."

The archer she pointed at fell to his knees and yelled holding his head. When he stood up, he tackled the archer next to him; and stabbed him with a dagger that was at his side. M'Gann and Mahariel charged into battle. The elf met the man with the great sword. The man brought his two handed sword down hard onto Mahariel's shield causing the elf's knees to give out. M'Gann blasted him back with her mind and Mahariel dove forward impaled him with the sword while he was on the ground. Artemis was firing shots at the mage woman who was taunting her.

"Oh your heads will make great trophies for our masters," she cried firing a bolt of energy.

Artemis ducked behind a rock and notched a special thunder arrow into her bow. She dived to the side, took aim, and fired and hit the woman in the chest. She was blasted off her feet as a crackle of lightning came and smashed into her with the arrow.

"Sorry I like my head where it is," she replied to the dead woman.

Zatanna was attempting to dodge the elven assassin but he was too good. He managed to trip her and he climbed atop her and placed his daggers across her throat causing everyone to stop.

"Ha ha my dear," he teased his voice thick with a Latin accent that made him sound like Antonio Banderas. "I have you now. Any last words?"

"ruoy sreggad era won rebbur," cried Zatanna.

"I didn't catch that, oh well it matters not. I'll see you on the other side some day."

He slid the daggers across her throat, and was shocked when blood didn't splatter into his face. That gave Mahariel enough time to come and bash the assassin's head in with his shield.

"Let's leave the inn," growled Mahariel wiping a cut he'd gotten on his cheek. "Great fucking idea ladies, what brilliance are you all going to show next?"

"At least we're all alive," M'Gann snapped back. "And besides they were probably going to ambush anyone who came down this road."

"That is where you would be wrong my dear."

They all looked at the elf who was groaning while sitting up on his elbows to lie on his stomach. He had a small bruise on his cheek and his lip was bloody. He moved his hair out of his face and sighed. Artemis notched an arrow in her bow; and was prepared to fire on command.

"No movements clear," warned Zatanna.

"Crystal," was the response. "I rather thought I would wake up dead. Or not wake up at all. But I see you haven't killed me yet."

"That could easily be rectified," said Mahariel.

"Of that I have no doubt, you are most skilled. If you haven't killed me however, you must've kept me alive for some purpose yes?"

"You're awfully glib for a prisoner," said Artemis.

The new elf winked at her before replying," it is my way, or so I've been told. I'm going to assume that since I'm not dead you have questions. I can save you the time."

The all stared at him, so he continued speaking.

"My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows come here to Ferelden for the purpose of surviving any surviving Grey Wardens. A task at which I've failed miserably at."

"No complaints here," said M'Gann.

"What are the Antivan Crows," asked Artemis.

"They are an order of assassins based out of the country of Antiva," explained Mahariel. "Very powerful. They are the best in the world, no other order comes even close. When they receive a job they get it done; or they die trying. Someone paid a lot of gold to have us, or rather me killed."

"Quite right," said Zevran proudly. "The Crows are rather infamous. Judging by your look you're a Dalish, am I correct?"

"You are."

"I'm surprised a Dalish Elf would know of the Crows."

"My Keeper used to tell me stories of them, although her stories always had good assassins who killed their targets."

"So you Ferelden's mock your prisoners?"

"Who hired you," asked Zatanna.

"A rather tactful fellow did back in the capital of Denerim. I believe that his name was Loghain."

"Son of a bitch," groaned Artemis. "He must really want you, Alistair, Dick, and Ruby dead if he's hiring assassins from another country."

"I think we should just kill him and keep going," suggested Mahariel drawing his sword.

"Wait if I may," said Zevran quickly. "I have a proposition for you that you can't pass up."

"What could you have that we would want," asked Zatanna.

"Myself. Look I failed in the job of killing you right; so if I were to go back to the Crows as punishment they would kill me. I have no intention of dying for failing a job. Let me help you."

"Dick did tell us to try and get more elves," said Artemis looking at Mahariel.

"So you want to bring the person who just tried to kill us," cried Zatanna. "Dick told us to get Dalish Elves."

"I'm half Dalish," said Zevran. "Does that count?"

"Why the hell should we take you with us," growled Mahariel.

"I do have many talents that could be of great use to you; I'm skilled at fighting, I can pick locks, recognize if the Crows are planning to attack you again, and not to mention give the best massage that you've ever felt."

"Really," growled M'Gann.

"I was raised in a whorehouse, sex is pretty much all I know besides killing. Give me a chance, I don't want to die and I'll serve you faithfully. You have my oath."

The three girls all looked at Mahariel who was deep in thought with his arms folded. Finally after about 30 seconds of silence with his eyes closed; he reached a hand out to Zevran and pulled him up.

"Such strong arms," cooed Zevran.

"Don't make me regret letting you live," warned Mahariel. "Because I wont regret killing you at all."

"I can't believe you want to take the assassin with us," shrieked Zatanna. "Mahariel this is too dangerous. He could try and kill us while we sleep."

"I've made my decision Zatanna and I know you don't like it; but please just try. For me?"

M'Gann looked at her friend sigh as she gave in to the elf's request.

Ha ha," laughed Zevran grabbing his daggers. "This is going to be great; traveling with the handsome Dalish Warden and his beautiful associates. If anyone is ever feeling cold at night, you're always welcome to share my space. I'll keep you warm."

As they looted what was left of the destroyed caravan, M'Gann couldn't help but notice that Artemis was staying close to Zevran.