Thank you to all of you who continue to read, review, alert and favourite.
Anyone who recognises the name of Anders' horse gets a cookie :-)
~x~X~x~
"You and I need to have a serious talk," Anders said to Gabby as he sat on a chair next to her bed where she lay, exhausted. "You have to start looking after yourself – not letting yourself get so stressed that you have to ask one of the Templars to drain you!"
"I had to," she said softly, turning to face him. "I could feel myself…I just felt like I was going to explode."
"I could have drained your mana for you," he said, slightly petulantly. "And I would have done it a lot more gently than the Templars do."
"But that was why I needed to go to a Templar," she explained. "It had to be done quickly…oh, Anders…" her voice trailed off and she reached out for his hand. "Don't be angry with me."
"I'm not angry…I'm concerned about you," he insisted. "You shouldn't be having your mana drained anyway, not in your condition. No one knows what effect, if any, that would have on an unborn child."
"I've never heard of it causing any problems," she answered.
"Just because you've heard, doesn't mean…" Anders took a deep breath and attempted to keep his frustration in check. "Gabby…I know you've got a lot to worry about at the moment, and I know you're upset about what happened with Cullen…" he paused and cast a surreptitious glance at her. "That's what it is, isn't it? What Cullen said to you? That's why you're so upset."
Gabby released a deep sigh and closed her eyes as Anders stroked her hand.
"Maybe-maybe you'd better have it out with him," Anders reluctantly suggested.
"You think I should visit him?" she asked, opening her eyes to look at him.
Anders nodded. "It's just going to eat away at you until you do."
"Maybe you're right," she conceded. "But…not just now. I-I just can't face it at the moment."
Anders rose from the chair and sat on the edge of her bed, still holding her hand. "Let me take some of the load from you," he offered. "You're taking on too much in an attempt to forget about the King and Cullen. I know I'm no Varel, but…"
"You're doing a wonderful job, second," she said with a fond smile, which Anders returned. "I saw the look on your face earlier when I called you that," she chuckled.
"To tell you the truth, I just imagined the look on Nate's face when I tell him I've been promoted," he replied, with a mischievous look.
Gabby laughed softly, and closed her eyes again, feeling the morning sun warm her face as it streamed through the window.
Anders's stomach knotted as he looked down upon his elven friend – no, his wife-to-be. She looked so tiny, so vulnerable, and so delicate. The sun on her face only highlighted how pale her skin was. He glanced down at his hand, which held hers, and the contrast between his healthy olive skin and her alabaster tone was striking. He glanced back up at her, and noticed that her breathing had slowed. He watched her for a few moments, scanning every contour of her finely-chiselled face, her button nose, and her lips.
It would be so easy just to…
"Are you asleep?" he whispered. When she made no reply, he swallowed hard and leaned down, releasing her hand, and moving his to her flame-red hair, brushing an errant lock off her cheek. He hovered close to her face, feeling the warmth of her breath against his, and closed his eyes.
Moving upward slightly, he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, and quietly stood up. "Sweet dreams, Gabby," he said softly, watching her for a moment longer, before leaving.
~x~X~x~
A refreshed Gabby arrived in the dining hall just after dinner, and approached Anders, who stood fidgeting with his robe as he looked out of a window.
"Hey," she said softly, slipping her arm around his.
"Hey, yourself! How are you feeling?" he asked, watching her carefully.
"A lot better, Dr. Anders," she said with a bright smile.
"The love Doctor, remember?" he corrected her.
"Oh, yes," she answered solemnly. "My apologies. So, what has the 'love doctor' been up to, then?"
"Well, the Lovells are settled in, I've finished those requisitions and filed them away, the stable roof is being re-thatched right now, and I've written all of the invitations to next month's meeting of the nobles. You just have to sign them," he said.
Gabby's smile widened. "You really do want Nate's job, don't you?" she asked with obvious pride in her voice.
"Not just his, but Varel's too," he replied with a wink.
"You can have mine, if you want," Gabby offered without a hint of irony.
"No thanks," he muttered.
"Well, when Nate gets back, we'll have to see about splitting your responsibilities," she said. "You've taken to it like a duck to water."
"Really?" he chirped, his eyes lighting up.
"Oh, yes," she answered. "Nate will appreciate the extra time, anyway. He'll be able to see more of Adela, and will be able to devote more time to training the archers." She sighed and shook her head. "If he comes back, that is…"
"Of course he'll come back," Anders said seriously. "It'll take more than a few poxy Templars to get the better of Nathaniel Howe!"
"You miss him, don't you?" she asked softly.
"That pompous git? Not a chance," he replied, not altogether convincingly.
Gabby squeezed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, the two of them sharing a comfortable silence as they observed the activity in the Vigil's courtyard.
"I, erm…I was thinking of popping into Amaranthine," Anders said after a few minutes. "If you can do without me, that is, what with me being indispensable and everything."
"Of course!" she replied. "Even my second is allowed some time off. Do you want some company?" she offered.
"Erm…yes, if you like – that would be nice," he said.
Taking the hint, Gabby feigned a yawn. "Actually, I think I should take it easy for the rest of the day."
"Are you sure?" he asked, feeling a little guilty.
"Yes, quite sure," she said, releasing his arm. "Anyone I know?" she whispered.
"Eh? What do you mean?" he spluttered, feeling his cheeks redden.
Gabby laughed at his reaction. "I know you better than you know yourself," she said, standing on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Have fun," she trilled as she headed toward her office. "And have one for me!"
"Yes, I will have a drink for you," he called back.
"Oh, one of those, too," she answered as she closed her door.
Anders cursed under his breath and headed out to the stables, where he found his horse, Zephyr, a bay-coloured mare – the only horse at Vigil's Keep that would not suffer being saddled or reined, and would allow Anders, and no other, to ride her.
"Hello, sweetheart," Anders said softly, stroking her head. "How'd you fancy a trip into Amaranthine, and we'll get you some of that nice salt lick you like so much, eh?"
Zephyr nudged him with her nose, and Anders called two of the stable boys over to help him mount her.
If Zephyr could understand human language, she would know most of Anders' secrets, as he often talked to her in the stables, or on the road. He enjoyed confiding in her; unlike another person, she never judged him, or told him what he should do, but just listened. As they headed for the city, he began to tell her what was on his mind.
"This is just a stupid infatuation," he began. "I've had them before. She loves him, and I'm like a brother to her. End of story," he said firmly, then sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking, asking her to marry me. I'd like to say I did it to help her out, but I didn't," he said, getting angry with himself. "I did it for selfish reasons. I thought that maybe she'd get all sentimental and misty-eyed, and that maybe…maybe she'd fall in love with me. What an idiot I am!"
The two rode on in silence for a while. Although Zephyr could not understand Anders' words, she knew that she would hear his voice again shortly, from the rising tension in his body.
"This is not like me," he said resolutely. "I need to get my leg over, that's all. It's been months…months! That'll put me straight. I wonder who's working today?"
Silence fell again until they neared Amaranthine. "I mean, she didn't even care, Zephyr," he moaned. "She knew exactly what I was up to, and she didn't care. But why should she? I'm just a friend to her. This needs to stop, right now, before I say or do something..." He paused and thought for a moment. "I know…I know who'll be around…"
He entered the city, and stabled Zephyr – leaving her some of the salt lick she loved – before heading to the public baths, where he would be sure to find Ellen, a red-haired elven prostitute.
~x~X~x~
"Someone's coming," whispered Matthew as he listened through a crack in the door. "I can hear scraping – I think they're bringing a table and chairs."
The young knight moved clear of the door and stood next to Nathaniel. "Are you still recruiting, Warden?" he asked quickly.
"Erm, possibly, but now's not really the…" Nathaniel began.
"Things are unbearable here," Matthew interrupted, glancing nervously at the door. "I thought it was bad when Cullen was in charge, but now…"
"What do you mean?" Nathaniel asked.
Matthew did not get a chance to answer; the door was unlocked and pushed open, and a wooden table and four chairs were brought in by Lucy and Talbot.
"Dismissed," Lucy said to Matthew, who bowed before the senior Templar and walked toward the door, silently mouthing 'Maker watch over you' to Nathaniel before he left.
The Templars arranged the table and chairs, and Lucy bid Varel and Nathaniel to sit as Talbot locked the door, and then joined the others, placing several documents in front of Lucy as he sat. Talbot then took up his quill and prepared to make notes.
"Nathaniel Howe, you have been brought here to answer the charge of murder most foul, perpetrated upon a high-ranking knight of the Chantry, namely the former Knight-Commander of this Tower, Ser Cullen," said Lucy as Talbot began to write. Nathaniel lounged back in his chair with his arms folded, looking utterly bored; Varel watched every move the two knights made, his eyes darting from one to the other like a hungry dog watching food travel from plate to its master's mouth.
"Let it be entered into the record that Nathaniel Howe's representative, Varel, is also present," Ser Lucy added. "Now, I will present the evidence against the prisoner."
"Finally," Nathaniel said, his lip curling in a derisive sneer. "Let's see what you've got."
Ser Lucy read through a few of his notes and began. "Not three weeks ago you arrived at the Tower with…Warden-Commander…Surana, correct?" he asked, to which Nathaniel nodded. "On the very same night you arrived, you were seen on the fourth floor acting in a suspicious manner. Would you care to explain your presence there?"
"Certainly," Nathaniel answered. "I make no secret of my reasons for being on the fourth floor. Commander Surana had heard from several sources that Knight-Commander Cullen had been gravely injured, and was concerned for him. I took a trip up to the fourth floor to ascertain his condition."
"Why did you not simply ask someone of his condition?" Lucy countered.
"We did," Nathaniel replied. "We heard different versions from different people – it was all speculation. Nobody really knew what had happened, but they all agreed that he had been so seriously injured he had required the services of a healer. We even heard accounts that he had attempted suicide. As nobody would give us a straight answer, I sought the truth to put my Commander's mind at rest."
"Why would your Commander – a mage – be so concerned over the welfare of a Templar?" Lucy asked.
"Not all mages hate Templars, and vice versa," Nathaniel said. "Knight-Commander Cullen and Commander Surana were friends before Uldred's revolt."
"Your Commander came from the Circle Tower?" Lucy asked, surprised.
"Yes," Nathaniel answered. "She served her apprenticeship here. Were you not aware of that, Lucy?"
Ser Lucy's left eye twitched as he turned toward Talbot. "Put that in the record," he murmured. Turning back to face Nathaniel, he resumed his questioning. "What did you find upon entering Knight-Commander Cullen's quarters?"
"I did not enter his quarters," Nathaniel answered.
"Well, we have two witnesses who say you did," Ser Talbot said.
"You must be joking!" Nathaniel exclaimed with a mocking laugh. "I didn't get anywhere near his quarters!"
"If Warden Howe did enter the Knight-Commander's quarters, why was he not apprehended?" Varel asked pointedly.
"Because Warden Howe employed a concealment technique," Lucy responded. "The men were afraid to approach him, as they believed him to be a supernatural being."
At this, Varel and Nathaniel burst into uncontrollable laughter. Lucy and Talbot waited, grim-faced, for them to compose themselves. "O, mighty knights of the Chantry!" Nathaniel mocked. "As I've always said, you lot are only good for skewering drained mages. Anything more threatening makes you brown your smallclothes and blubber."
"Shall we get on with it?" Lucy snapped, his eye twitching noticeably.
"Please do," Nathaniel answered. "Just who are these 'witnesses'?"
"They are reluctant to come forward, afraid of invoking the wrath of the Grey Wardens," Lucy replied.
"Preposterous!" Varel exclaimed. "Without their testimony, your claims are contemptible and are not admissible as evidence. Tell your secretary to strike them from the records."
Ser Talbot glanced up from his writing. "We will produce the witnesses," he said calmly.
"Who are they?" asked Nathaniel. "The Maker and his bride, perhaps?"
Ser Lucy shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "The next item," he began, "concerns your relationship with Knight-Commander Cullen."
"There was no relationship," Nathaniel said.
"Oh, but there was, Warden," Lucy answered with a glint in his eye, "and this is where it gets interesting. Only a day after your arrival here, you challenged the deceased to a duel."
"This is completely irrelevant," Varel interjected. "A duel is fought according to strict rules, and once honour has been satisfied, the matter is considered closed by both parties. This has no bearing on the investigation whatsoever."
"I disagree," said Lucy. "The duel may have been the starting point of ill feeling between the two men. Warden Howe, why did you challenge the Knight-Commander to a duel?"
"Irrelevant," Varel barked.
"It's all right," Nathaniel said to Varel. "They already know, so we may as well humour them. They're trying to catch me out, but they won't succeed, as I have the truth on my side. Knight-Commander Cullen implied that Commander Surana was a woman of loose morals," he said to Lucy. "As she is a close friend of mine, it was my right to demand satisfaction."
"How close a friend is she of yours?" Lucy asked.
"Irrelevant," Varel repeated, "and none of your business. He's trying to goad you, Nathaniel. Don't fall for it."
"Yes, I know," Nathaniel answered with an amused grin. "Is this really the best you can do?" he said to Lucy.
"Answer the question," Lucy demanded.
"I will not," Nathaniel insisted.
"Warden Howe has refused to answer a question," Lucy said to Talbot.
"You will record exactly which question he has refused to answer," Varel said to Talbot, watching him as he wrote.
"Did you wound Knight-Commander Cullen during the duel?" Lucy continued.
"Yes, I caused an injury to his belly."
"And how did the duel end? Was blood drawn?"
"No – Cullen offered an apology, which I accepted. That was the end of the matter."
"Really?" Lucy asked, raising his eyebrows. "Then how do you explain the fact you were heard by several witnesses threatening Knight-Commander Cullen only two days later?"
"Several witnesses?" Nathaniel asked with a snort. "I'd like to know where they came from, as no one was around at the time."
"Ah! So you do not deny making threats against the Knight-Commander, then?" Lucy asked triumphantly.
"No, why should I?" Nathaniel answered with a shrug. "I had good reason to threaten him."
Lucy watched Nathaniel for a moment, feeling somewhat disconcerted that the Warden had not reacted strongly to any of his questions.
"Is there something wrong with you?" Nathaniel asked as Lucy's eye twitched again.
"What? What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
"Well, you keep winking at me," Nathaniel answered. "I mean, I'm flattered, but I don't think we know each other well enough for that."
A deep rumble of laughter came from Varel as Lucy turned to Talbot. "Winking? "I'm not…winking…am I?"
"No," Talbot answered aridly. "Let's proceed."
"Yes…" Lucy mumbled, attempting to find his train of thought. "What exactly did you say to Knight-Commander Cullen?" he asked.
"Exactly? I don't know, but it was something along the lines of: 'if I discover you were the one who entered Commander Surana's bedroom in the middle of the night, I shall wipe you from the face of Ferelden. Or was it Thedas? I forget."
"He entered Commander Surana's bedroom?" Lucy asked doubtfully.
"Oh – something else you weren't aware of, Lucy?" Nathaniel mocked, causing his interrogator's eye to twitch once more.
"What was he doing in her bedroom?" Lucy asked, feeling his face grow hot.
"Does it matter? No man has a right to be in a female's bedroom without her leave, except her husband. At the time, I believed he meant to cause her harm."
"And why would he do that?"
"Because he was not of sound mind, and Commander Surana's presence at the Tower disturbed him greatly."
"Why would her presence disturb him?"
"Because he believed he was in love with her, and he had been assaulted by a demon that assumed her form."
"Assaulted?"
"Assaulted," Nathaniel repeated, giving Lucy a look that made his words clear.
"For the record, Warden Howe," said Lucy. "What are we talking about, here?"
"Rape," Nathaniel answered.
The four men sat in silence for a moment as Talbot continued to write. "How do you know this, Warden?" Lucy asked.
"Cullen told Commander Surana of his experience at the hands of the demon, and she told me," he answered.
"So we only have your word for this?" Lucy asked.
"No. Knight-Commander Smyth is also aware of what happened. He will vouch for the validity of my testimony."
"When are we going to see Knight-Commander Smyth, by the way?" Varel prodded. "It seems he has just become a witness, and by law we must hear his testimony."
The Templars exchanged glances. "All witnesses able to testify will be presented to you shortly," Lucy announced as he and Talbot stood up. "I believe a short break is in order."
"Tea, two sugars, please," Nathaniel quipped.
"Refreshments will be provided," Lucy said stiffly as he and Talbot exited the room, ushered Matthew inside, and firmly locked the door.
Nathaniel's mask of self-assuredness disappeared as soon as the door closed. "Able to testify?" he whispered to Varel. "Does that mean Smyth is unable? Why? Where is he?"
Varel rose to his feet. "Padraig and Chauncey are setting up camp outside. I'll make an excuse to speak to them, and I'll see if Kester has anything to say."
"Yes, please do," Nathaniel replied. "This is…this is troubling," he said quietly, staring at his hands.
Varel slapped the younger man's shoulder. "I'll be right back. Don't say a word to them without me."
"Varel…watch your back," Nathaniel warned him.
"I will – my front, too," Varel answered with a chirpiness he did not feel.
Nathaniel nodded and watched Varel as Matthew let him out of the room, locking the door behind him.
~x~X~x~
Anders returned to the stables a sovereign lighter after paying for Ellen's services, and for a room at the Crown and Lion.
"How are you doing, girl?" he asked Zephyr, staring through her solid brown body as he stroked her neck. His equine friend looked up from her salt lick, almost as though asking him what had happened.
"Well, Zephyr, it didn't work," he said with a dejected shrug. "Come on – let's go home. I need a bath."