Author's Note: I've been wavering on whether or not to capitalize Qunari. The Dragon Wiki has it in lowercase, but since it's the name for an identity that encompasses more than just one race, I've decided to go with the uppercase for now. I'll backtrack soon and bring the other chapters up to date.
Chapter 11: The Dividing Line
"No... Montoya," Anders gasped. His horror at the sight of the captain's head on a pike warred with a seething surge of triumphant joy. The mixture of contradictory emotions made his head spin.
"Yes! He has received his just reward along with all of his wretched crew!" Justice's voice boomed in his head. Anders moaned unintelligibly in response and closed his eyes. Fenris's grip tightened as Anders almost sank to the deck again. To keep him up, the elf had to press the mage firmly against his side. He could feel Anders's every breath, as well as the shudders that seemed to run from the mage's lower spine up to his shoulders.
"Anders, get a hold of yourself," Fenris whispered harshly, though his gaze was on Sten. The Qunari commander was watching them with narrowed eyes.
"Is there something wrong?" Sten asked in a loud, deep voice that carried clearly over the cheering from the viddathari. "Surely this is a moment of celebration, is it not?"
"My friend is a scholar, not a warrior. He is not accustomed to the sight of so much blood," Fenris quickly explained.
"I see." Sten blinked impassively as he looked at the pale-haired elf and blond mage, then turned to look at Mab who was currently cleaning a paw. "His terenbas is made of sterner stuff. Take him back to his quarters," the horned leader with a tilt of his head.
"Anders, come along," Fenris urged, pulling him gently at first by the waist. When the man barely moved, Fenris gave him a rough tug. Anders shook violently, causing Fenris's hold to slacken in surprise. The mage fell forward onto his knees and vomited, though his stomach had been empty save for water that the Qunari had provided in his room. The sour liquid dribbled down his chin as he began to dry heave.
"And now he wastes our gift of freshwater," Sten remarked coldly. Lanreth quickly separated from the other viddathari and knelt down at Anders's side opposite from Fenris.
"Anders, you have to get up. You're making a scene," the elven warrior whispered nervously.
"Damnit... it's Justice," Anders coughed and shook.
"Yes, it is justice, but it's still horrifying to see," Lanreth replied calmly, misunderstanding Anders completely. Fenris's eyes widened in fear, however.
"Control yourself Anders!" The pale-haired elf ordered harshly under his breath.
"I am in... control... but our feelings are... are so at... odds," Anders explained with halting breaths.
"He is not making sense," Lanreth said.
"Help me get him up!" Fenris exclaimed, ignoring the auburn-haired elf's statement. Thankfully Lanreth was more concerned with helping than prying and immediately obeyed.
"I think he might need the healer," Lanreth remarked. Fenris nodded.
"Sten, please, our friend needs to see the healer," Fenris called out. The Qunari leader rolled his eyes at that, but waved his hand in dismissive assent.
"So be it," Sten answered in disgust. He motioned to two of his soldiers, who quickly flanked Lanreth and Fenris as they made their way back below deck.
The clinic was only a short walk away and the door was already open once they arrived. Fenris and Lanreth both blinked in surprise when they caught sight of Esteban on the examination table, with the large healer hovering over him. The cabin boy's eyes were closed and he had ugly-looking bruises on his face and forearms, but the rise and fall of his chest was deep and even. Hearing the shuffling behind him, the Qunari healer turned and fixed them with a curious gaze that quickly shifted to worry as he looked over at Anders.
"What wrong?" The healer asked as the the two elves guided the human in.
"He's in pain," Fenris said far more truthfully than he really understood. The elf was grasping at straws, but remembering the peace that overcame him earlier in the clinic, an idea quickly presented itself. "Can you make him sleep? Like you did for me?"
"I need see what wrong," the healer said, but Fenris shook his head.
"He saw too much death, too much blood. He needs to sleep!"
"Yes... sleep... please," Anders moaned through gritted teeth as he gripped his head. His eyes were watering, though no true tears had yet fallen. A look of understanding settled on the Qunari's face.
"Sten show too much. Always. Yes, make sick, such sight," the healer remarked with a nod. He stood up away from Esteban, then walked over to one of the glass-front cabinets. He pulled out a now familiar purple vial. He closed the cabinet, then approached the trio. "You shake too much," he observed of Anders. "Open mouth, I give," the healer instructed. Anders tilted his head back and obeyed. He eagerly gulped the odd, almost sugary tasting liquid.
"Thank... you..." Anders swooned and his eyelids slowly closed.
"Anders?" A deep, but soft voice called out.
"Hmmm?" Anders's eyes blinked open. He felt slightly disoriented, but far better than when he had been admitted to the clinic. He was on a soft bed, rather than the examination table. It took him a moment to realize that he was back in the room that Sten had assigned to him earlier. The smell of incense was heavy in the air, causing him to cough momentarily. The resultant headache made him moan and close his eyes. He pressed the back of his head into the pillow behind him.
"Anders, are you okay?" The voice called out again. When Anders opened his brown eyes, they stared up at brilliant green ones.
"Your eyes... are very green," Anders whispered before he could stop himself. Both he and Fenris blinked in silence at the unexpected, random observation, though the elf recovered first and furrowed his brows.
"What happened to you on the deck?" Fenris asked as he pulled a chair over and sat down next to the bed.
"I wasn't expecting to see Montoya's head on a pike," Anders said with a shudder.
"That's obvious. But what was that about Justice?" Fenris pressed with a suspicious glare.
"Justice was... overjoyed at the sight. I... I was not. I couldn't handle the clash of emotions. It almost felt like my head was being torn apart..." Anders whispered. "I'm fine now, though. Justice is dormant. I think he got his fill of retribution," he added. The cold stare Fenris was giving him was suddenly unbearable and he averted his eyes. The mage fixed his gaze on the wall next to the bed.
"Then perhaps it would serve you and your health better to see Justice's point of view," Fenris drawled. The snide tone instantly drew Anders's gaze back from the wall.
"And you would have me agree with a demon?" The mage shot back, using Fenris's preferred term for Justice.
"In this case, the demon and I are in perfect accord," Fenris snapped in return, though he kept his voice down. He glanced at the closed door to their room for a moment, before turning back to Anders. "That man and his crew were slavers, Anders! Montoya and his men got exactly what they deserved!" The elf's eyes gleamed and his face broke out momentarily into a feral smile.
"There was another side to the man!" Anders argued with a voice laden with grief as he slowly sat up in the bed. "I didn't know about the rest at first! I lied to him. I completely betrayed him during our final moments together. Can you imagine how that makes me feel?"
"That is what separates the two of us! I make sure to truly know someone well before sex, or Maker forbid, feelings ever enter the picture!" Fenris snarled with eyes blazing.
"That's so easy for you to say! Maybe you can control your feelings, but I can't! He was good to me," Anders voice softened at the end and he looked away for a moment.
"So you mean to say that his slaver cock was so addictive that you would overlook everything else?" The elf hissed. "How often did you whore yourself to him while I lay in the slave hold?"
"I whored myself to him plenty!" Anders growled in defiance. "Including the time I put him to sleep so that I could get to his keys and rescue your blighted, ungrateful ass!" The mage whispered back harshly and stared right at Fenris. The green eyes that were full of anger shifted immediately into an expression of guilt. Anders pressed his advantage with his sharp tongue. "This whore knew nothing of what was happening in the beginning, but once I did, I tried my best to save you. And look what I received as thanks!" He pointed to his face.
"Anders... I..." Fenris winced as he looked over the bruised cheek he had given the man. The bruise had steadily deepened in color over the hours, and though it was healing, it was far more noticeable now compared to earlier in the day. The elf studied the darkened, mottled skin, but could no longer meet the mage's eyes. His face reddened in shame as he looked at the wall. Fenris opened his mouth, but whereas the mage clearly expected an apology, instead Fenris asked in a quiet voice, "why?"
"What?" Anders snarled.
"Why?" Fenris repeated. Anders said nothing. The silence stretched until Fenris finally, tentatively looked back at the blond apostate. The brown eyes locked onto his.
"I didn't do it for you," Anders answered through gritted teeth.
"That makes no sense," Fenris shook his head slightly, but didn't look away.
"As much sense as a mage-hater falling in love with a mage," Anders snapped. Fenris's eyes hardened at the remark. Before he could say anything, Anders looked over at the small cabinet that rested between their room's two beds. "Go to the cabinet and open the bottom drawer," the apostate ordered in a voice that brooked no argument. Fenris gave him a curious look, but did as he was told. He walked over to the cabinet, then knelt down and pulled the bottom drawer out.
"My scarf," Fenris whispered just loud enough for Anders to hear.
"As much as I hate it, I know the depth of his feelings for you," Anders said in a remarkably gentle voice. "You may never believe this, but I love him just as much as you do. I did it for him, not you," he added solemnly.
"Thank you, nevertheless," Fenris replied softly. "You're a better man than I took you for."
"Surprise!" Anders remarked sarcastically.
"You deserve far better than a slaver captain who seduced you with lies," Fenris remarked. Unable to tie the scarf around his wrist with only one arm, he pocketed it in his breeches.
"And yet for nearly a decade I've found myself completely alone," Anders replied with an accusatory glare at the elf. "And it's all your fault," was left unspoken, but clearly understood between the two rivals. Fenris was about to say something else when there was a loud knock on their door.
"It's open!" Both men yelled. They both blinked in surprise as an unfamiliar Qunari opened the door. Mab was cradled in one arm as the Qunari regarded them with what looked almost like a smile.
"Hello viddathari and welcome to the Glory. I am the captain, Vasravaan Seraat," the Qunari greeted them while petting the cat with his massive hand.
"I thought Sten was the captain," Anders remarked in confusion, though his eyes were on Mab. The giant hand petting her made the mage supremely nervous.
"Sten is the leader of the military regiment on this ship, but I am the captain of the vessel. Unlike Sten, I have also given you my name, not only my rank. May I have yours?"
"Anders," the mage replied quickly.
"Fenris," the elf offered just after the blond.
"What is his real name?" Anders asked, lifting his gaze from Mab to the Qunari captain.
"That is not for me to tell," Vasravaan answered with a frown. "It is considered rude to ask anyone but the Qunari whose name you wish to know. Rank is what you may ask others for when wishing to know how another Qunari may be addressed."
"Sorry," Anders said, though he hardly sounded apologetic.
"Who is the leader of the ship? You or Sten?" Fenris asked before Anders could. The Qunari considered the question for a moment.
"I navigate the vessel and guide the sailors. Sten protects the vessel and guides the soldiers. We are both leaders," Vasravaan explained.
"Who has more authority, then?" Fenris asked, his curiosity piqued.
"That depends on the task, naturally," Vasravaan replied with a tilt of his head. He stopped petting Mab for a moment to scratch his chin. "Though, you are still viddathari. You will soon learn that everything has a place in the Qun. Once your place is known, there is no conflict. You will work as part of a greater whole, bringing glory to yourself and your fellow Qunari," Vasravaan added with a sweep of his hand before he began petting Mab once more. "Take this terenbas for example. Since it has been on the ship, it has massacred many of the vermin that gnaw at our food reserves. It guided several of my sailors to a nest of the ethraalbas, the filthy things, which we promptly rooted out. The terenbas is a leader in its own field of expertise. When engaged in an endeavor, is not the leader determined by the task?" The Qunari asked rhetorically as he set the cat down on the floor.
"I see your point," Fenris said with a nod as Mab sauntered past him and jumped onto the bed with Anders.
"Come here, you sneaky girl," Anders said as he grabbed Mab and pulled her onto his lap. The mage seemed to forget both the Qunari and the elf in his room while he fussed over the cat. Fenris looked at him briefly before rolling his eyes and returning his attention to the captain.
"And what will our place be as part of this greater whole?" Fenris asked.
"That is for the Tamassran to evaluate and assign," Vasravaan replied as if the answer was glaringly obvious.
"The what?" Anders asked while Mab began kneading at the blankets that covered his lap.
"The priestess," Fenris and the Captain both replied. The Qunari nodded at the elf with light smile.
"Yes. Your knowledge of Qunari language and customs has impressed many aboard the Ataash. Even Sten, which is no small feat," Vasravaan said.
"I'm humbled that you think so, but there's still much that I don't know," Fenris remarked with a shake of his head.
"The Tamassran has a saying. 'Knowing that you do not know is the seed of wisdom.'" Vasravaan intoned with a slight nod. "Do not worry. As viddathari, you are new to our ways. The Tamassran will teach you, so that you have a better grasp of our customs and how to conduct yourself as proper Qunari," Vasravaan said to both the elf and human. He then looked squarely at Anders. "She will also instruct you in our language, so that you are longer like meraas imekari," the captain added with a sly look at Fenris.
"What does that mean?" Anders asked, glancing at the elf.
"Someone unfamiliar with the language," Fenris answered somewhat truthfully, though he knew the exact definition was "a child bleating without meaning."
"Is she on the ship?" Anders asked, his eyes wide with curiosity, as he had never seen a female Qunari. Vasravaan looked at him in complete silence, the golden eyes carefully scrutinizing the human's face. Finally the Qunari shook his head.
"Oh, the questions you ask! I have to remind myself that there is so much the Tamassran must teach you!" The captain's voice held just the hint of a chuckle. "A warship is no place for a woman. Rare exceptions for when travel is necessary, of course, but never this far in kabethari waters. No, the priestess resides in Seheron. And as viddathari, your place is with her."
"We sail for Seheron?" Fenris asked with an odd note to his voice.
"Do not worry, viddathari. Your past on the island is known, but you were not Qunari then. Prove your loyalty to the Qun and that past will be irrelevant."
"And how do I prove myself?" Fenris pressed with furrowed brows.
"That is up to the Tamassran," the captain answered. "Now before I forget, I would like to discuss the most basic rules for your time on this ship. As viddathari, you are not prisoners, but until you are fully evaluated, certain precautions must be followed. You have free rein to roam this portion of the deck at your discretion. Guards are posted at the entrance to this level and will prevent you, by force if necessary, from wandering to other parts of the ship unescorted. However, no guards will be posted at your doors, and all Qunari are required to knock before entering, even Sten," Vasravaan added with a smirk.
"That's not a lot of room to move around," Anders remarked. He averted his gaze when Fenris shot him a dirty look.
"That's far more room than the accommodations I had on the previous ship," the elf muttered. Anders studied the fine grain of the wood on the wall and avoided Fenris's eyes. Vasravaan watched the two for a moment before continuing.
"Do not worry, though. Three times a day you will be allowed supervised time on deck along with meals." The Captain paused and looked over to one corner of the room. "As you can see, a chamber pot has been provided for you, but I strongly recommend that you use the privy at the stern of the ship during your time on deck. Also, if you are not feeling well, you can request an escort to the clinic at any time. Incense and tea can also be procured there."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Vasravaan," Fenris said sincerely. Anders had finally stopped looking at the wall.
"Yes, thank you," the blond added.
"You are most welcome. I just have one final request before I return to my duties."
"Yes?" Fenris and Anders both asked as one.
"Your terenbas has been very useful indeed," Vasravaan looked over at Mab. "It would please me greatly if it roamed the ship at its leisure so that it may continue to root out vermin."
"Um... okay," Anders said after a moment's hesitation. His brown eyes widened as he thought of something. "She likes high places. Make sure that anyone who uses the crow's nest of the ship knows that she might be hiding up there at random times. I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Noted," Vasravaan gave him a quizzical look, but nodded. "Panahedan," he said in farewell, to which both the elf and human replied in kind.
"Puuuuush!" Varric yelled as he strained against the barrel alongside Hawke. Together with Diego, they rolled the heavy container of water up the gangplank. All three men were bare-chested and sweating profusely. They continued to heave and grunt against the barrel, their muscles tensed and in stark relief under the hot sun.
"Don't you dare relieve yourself on me!" Hawke yelled as a seagull flew right over his head. The bird squawked as it soared by, but luckily spared the mage any mess. It joined a flock of other seagulls that were currently cawing at the fishing boat that had pulled into Llomerynn harbor alongside the Cormorant.
"A little to the left!" Merrill called out from above. She stood on the deck of the galleon just to the left of the gangplank. The three men instantly followed her orders and shifted slightly to that side. Given the shape of the barrel and the sloshing contents, it constantly wobbled from one side to the other. "Wait! Too much! To the right, to the right!" Merrill exclaimed with her rich brogue. The anchored ship was relatively empty except for the quartet, as well as two sailors who were tending to the sails and ropes above them.
"She has a lovely voice, that one," Diego said with a grin. "Even lovelier eyes," the Rivaini sailor added.
"She's taken," Varric said with a grunt as the men neared the top of the wooden ramp.
"Alas, all the best ones are. Still, it's a pleasure to listen to her voice. Makes a task such as this far more enjoyable." Diego grinned, before he gritted his teeth and pushed harder.
"Almost there!" Merrill cheered and clapped her hands.
"My ass is going to be sore after this," Hawke grunted as he strained against the barrel. "And not in the good way!"
"There!" Varric huffed as the three men pushed the barrel onto the deck of the ship. Without the incline, it was a far easier task to roll it over to the group of several, identical barrels a few yards to the side. Like clockwork, the three men positioned themselves on one side of the barrel and quickly stood it on one end. They paused for a moment to catch their breath, all three bent over and resting hands on their upper thighs.
"Just four more!" Merrill called out.
"Ser Hawke... while I am more than happy to help you, surely we can wait until the rest of the sailors return from shore leave," Diego panted.
"Seconded," Varric added. "The food has been packed away and we've given the crew a head start on transporting the water. It won't take them long to store the rest."
"I know... I just want to be off for Minrathous as soon as possible," Hawke replied, though he looked even more exhausted than his companions. That fact didn't escape the dwarf's notice.
"The spell you've been using to give us greater stamina has been amazing. We've shaved off a couple of hours of work for the crew, but I think we've hit the point of diminishing returns. You look like you're about to fall over at any second," Varric pointed out.
"Okay, okay, you win," Hawke panted, then sat down with his legs crossed. Varric's strong hand gripped his shoulder and then the dwarf sank down next to him. Diego remained standing, but leaned back against the railing.
"Thank you," Diego breathed out a sigh of relief.
"No, thank you for helping Diego," Hawke smiled at the sailor who had been the friendliest of Isabela's crew.
"It's the least I could do for all the extra coin you provided for the crew's shore leave. It just didn't feel right to rush into town to spend it all. I won't lie, though. The crew would have preferred a full day and night for shore leave, but coin always goes a long way toward smoothing things over," Diego replied with a smirk.
"If the situation were different, I'd be more than happy to spend a few days here in Llomerynn. It seems like a lovely place," Hawke craned his neck so he could see more of the city proper above the railing from his seated position. "Except for the seagulls," the mage added with a frown. "Kirkwall never had so many. There's more bird shit in this single city than there is dog shit in all of Fereldan!"
"I don't know about that," Varric scoffed.
"It is lovely place," Merrill agreed as she walked over to stand near Hawke and Varric. "And I don't think I've ever seen so many Dalish elves in a city before."
"Your people have always been welcome in Rivain," Diego remarked.
"A lot of Qunari, too," Hawke mentioned as he clearly saw a trio of the horned giants moving along a nearby street, towering over the other pedestrians.
"A few," Diego agreed. "Rivaini ways are not so at odds with theirs. I'd take them over pompous, hypocritical Chantry zealots any day."
"I wouldn't go that far. Maybe we could just spirit them off to some remote island where they could work out their theological differences and leave the rest of us alone," Hawke mused.
"I'd toast to that!" Varric said as he mimicked having an actual mug in hand.
"Speaking of which, we could all use a drink..." Hawke paused and sniffed at his armpits, "and a bath!"
"I'll pass, actually," Diego shook his head gently. "Isabela will need at least one sober sailor if we intend to sail before night fall," he chuckled. He gave the trio a nod and a wave before heading to his quarters.
"Alright you, two, let's head into town!" Hawke yelled as he stood up with renewed energy.
"Varric?" Hawke asked, his breath wafting through the steamy vapor rising from his bathwater.
"Yes?" The dwarf asked to the mage's right. Both men were almost completely submerged in their bath basins, with only their heads resting above the sudsy water.
"Thank you for suggesting baths first, drinks later," Hawke murmured. "As comfortable as this is, I do think I would've been at risk for drowning had we done things in the opposite order."
"Less talk, more soak," Varric mumbled with closed eyes as he let the warm water soothe his sore muscles. He opened them once more when he heard the door open. The lithe, blond elf attendant walked in with a steaming pail of water.
"Would either of you like more hot water?" The elf asked them both, but his green eyes were solely on Hawke.
"I'm fine," Varric said. Hawke's answer took another moment.
"No, thank you," the mage replied, his brown eyes staring up at the green ones. The elf's eyes roamed downward.
"If there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know," the elf drawled with a bold wink at the mage.
"That's... that's very kind of you," Hawke replied with an almost embarrassed smile.
"You know where to find me," the elf murmured before leaving the room.
"I can't believe you," Varric muttered.
"What?" Hawke asked. Varric grunted and splashed water his way.
"Flirting with that elf."
"Varric, he was flirting with me. Not the other way around," Hawke protested.
"Hmmph."
"I tell you about one indiscretion, and now you think I'm always on the prowl!" Hawke scoffed, though his voice held a hint of anger.
"Yes, about that. So you are telling Fenris about all that, once we find him?"
"Well... maybe not immediately after we rescue him. I mean, really Varric? I can see it already. 'Fenris, my love! I'm so glad we saved you from slavery to the magisters! Oh, and by the way, a few months ago, I let Anders gobble down on my-'"
"Yes, yes, I get it!" Varric cut him off.
"You know, the more I think about it, is it really worth telling him? I mean, would you consider that really-"
"Hawke, let me put this bluntly," Varric interrupted him again. "Someone other than your lover put his mouth on a part of you which is pretty much hands off for anyone but you and your lover. There's a fine line between flirting and infidelity. You most certainly crossed that line with Anders."
"Ugh."
"That's your only response?"
"Ugh, I hate when you're right," Hawke elaborated before delivering a large splash of water in Varric's direction.
"Garrett Hawke... be careful who you're splashing-" The dwarf was interrupted by another spray of water that hit him right in the face. "Oh! It's on!" The dwarf growled with laughter in his voice. The room soon erupted into twin torrents of water that covered both of the men and the floor.
"Did you both fall into the harbor?" Isabel asked with furrowed brows. "You both are sopping wet!"
"Um, not exactly," Hawke murmured as he looked at Varric, then back at Isabela. The captain looked over at Merrill, who was completely dry save for slightly damp hair. The Dalish elf shrugged. The four of them were in the captain's quarters. Isabela stood across a large table from the other three with her arms crossed.
"We got our clothing wet at the bath house," Varric muttered.
"Couldn't you at least have dried off a bit more before coming back to the ship? You're dripping all over my floor!" She turned around, opened a large cabinet, then threw two towels in their direction. Varric caught his easily in hand, but the other flew into Hawke's face just as he was about to answer. He pulled the towel away with as much dignity as he could manage, then began to run it over his wet clothes.
"We... had to get out of the bath house in a hurry," Hawke said vaguely, though the image of the shocked bathing attendant staring at the completely wet floor and walls flashed in his mind.
"I had just finished my bath and was waiting in the greeting hall. Varric and Hawke came running out and we quickly left. There was some shouting behind us," Merrill added with a confused look.
"I don't even want to know," Isabela gave them an exasperated smirk, then held up a large scroll.
"What's that?" Hawke and Varric asked at the same time. Merrill just peered at it silently.
"A map of northern Thedas," Isabela answered as she leaned over the table and spread the scroll out. "Dry your hair Hawke, not just your clothes," Isabela ordered when an errant droplet of water landed on the map. She blotted at the scroll with a handkerchief.
"What's that blue line?" Hawke asked as he traced the marking on the map with his eyes. With the map upside down, it took him a moment to realize just what it was. The captain spun the map around so that her friends could see it rightside up. "Ah, the maritime border between Tevinter and Seheron," Hawke whispered. The line ran west from Kont-Aar in northern Rivain, and snaked through the straits separating the Tevinter Imperium from the massive island to the north.
"Unofficial at best, since Tevinter never signed the Llomerynn Accord," Isabela said with a nod. "While the Imperium has remained at war with the Qunari, it was still relatively safe for ships of other nations to sail south of this line," she added with a touch of her finger to the map.
"I hear a 'but' coming," Hawke whispered.
"But in recent weeks there has been increased activity across the line," Isabela added.
"How do you know?" Hawke asked.
"While some of you were getting into who knows what kind of mischief at the bath house, I was busy gathering information for the next segment of our journey," Isabela paused. "I knew it was a bad sign to see that Qunari warship. Trading vessels are one thing, but a warship so far from Par Vollen and Seheron? Not good. And now along the maritime border," she pointed to the line again, "there are reports that non-Tevinter ships have been attacked by our horned friends."
"Just what we needed," Hawke murmured sarcastically.
"Exactly," Isabela remarked with a grim expression. "Assuming the Osprey is still headed for Minrathous, we might see a few more Qunari ships along the way."
"You barely ate anything," Fenris remarked as he and Anders entered their room. The low rays of the setting sun streamed in through the portholes and painted the room a reddish hue reminiscent of the warpaint the Qunari soldiers wore. Fenris walked over to his bed and sat down. "The food really isn't all that bad," the elf added as he chewed on the last of a dry biscuit.
"I didn't know that you cared," Anders snapped as he walked over to his own bed, then flopped down across it with his face in his pillow.
"It was just an observation," Fenris muttered defensively. Anders was still for a moment, before he turned with just his head to look at the elf.
"Your powers of observation are simply astounding!" The apostate shot back.
"Are you being sarcastic?" Fenris frowned.
"And what tipped you off?" Anders sneered.
"What put you into such a mood? We had a reasonably good meal, relative to what I've had on ships before. We got fresh air on the deck, we-"
"Need I remind you that I am a mage? On a Qunari ship? If they ever find out about me, I'll end up like Ketojan... or worse! Who knows what they do to foreign mages, especially ones who have been deceiving them."
"Anders..." Fenris's expression softened a touch. "We've discussed this before. I'll never tell."
"That's all well and good, but you'll have to excuse my rather sour mood, because I can't exactly relax. They're taking us to Seheron. Seheron, Fenris. I don't relish spending the rest of my days in the tropical north surrounded by people who would love nothing more than to sew my mouth shut and put me in chains if they ever knew who I really was. And that's assuming they don't just kill me outright!"
"We won't be there forever," Fenris remarked. Anders narrowed his eyes at the confident tone.
"And how do you know that?"
"Anders, we've both seen Qunari outside of Qunari lands. And not only Tal-vashoth. If we prove our loyalty, who is to say that we might not be allowed to travel back to Kirkwall. As eager as they are for converts, it behooves them to not only treat us well, but to release us to spread the word." Anders mulled that over for a bit, but he shook his head.
"There's one glaring problem with that."
"And that would be?"
"Time. How long do you think it will be before they let us go, if they ever do? And who is to say that our evaluation with the Tamassran won't dictate a lifetime of servitude on Seheron?"
"You're right," Fenris replied simply.
"Huh?" Anders blurted out in surprise.
"I said that you're right," Fenris repeated himself.
"Well. Okay," Anders's voice trailed off, unsure of where to go now that the elf had agreed with him.
"We will just have to wait and see what awaits us on Seheron," Fenris added. He seemed about to say something more, but the sound of heavy footsteps brought his attention to the door. There was soon a loud knock.
"Come in," Fenris and Anders called out.
"Shanedan Fenris, Anders," Captain Vasravaan said as he opened the door. They greeted him in return. The Qunari stepped aside slightly, revealing the former cabin boy of the Osprey.
"Esteban!" Anders immediately got up off the bed and hurried over.
"Anders!" The cabin boy said with clear excitement, though his voice was slightly strained. He stepped past the captain and soon found himself wrapped in a hug. His breath caught slightly, causing Anders to pull back.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to embrace you so hard. Are you feeling okay?" Anders quickly looked him over from head to toe. The boy's lip was split and his cheek bruised. Esteban smiled as he returned the scrutiny.
"I've been better. It looks like we have matching tattoos," the boy joked as he pointed to the bruise on his cheek which was almost in the same position as the mage's. Fenris remained seated on his bed and blushed slightly.
"Very funny!" Anders smirked. "Have you been asleep all this time?"
"No," Esteban's expression fell slightly.
"After he was attended to by our healer, the youth was questioned by Sten. For quite some time," the captain replied.
"Ah," Anders managed to utter with a carefully schooled, neutral expression.
"Your version of events matched the boy's testimony," the captain said with a nod.
"Of course it did," Anders exclaimed quickly with a smile that was a tad too large. He then looked away from the captain and back to the former cabin boy. "Have you been assigned to a room yet?"
"Actually, that's why we are here," the captain answered for him. "Due to the number of soldiers we currently have aboard, this hall is the only one we have set aside for viddathari. And we have no more beds left. The boy indicated a strong preference for lodging with you."
"That would be more than fine. He can share my bed," Anders replied with a nod. The captain looked at him, completely flummoxed. The blond gulped. "Did I say something wrong? Again?"
"Ah, you have so much to learn, viddathari," the captain chuckled with a shake of his head. "No, he is a child. And a child that has been weaned never shares a bed with an adult. No, he is to have his own bed. You and Fenris are to share."
"What?" Fenris and Anders gasped.
"Is there a problem?" The captain asked.
"Yes!" Fenris and Anders replied in unison once again. They stared at the captain, then at each other, then back to the Qunari. The captain gave them a curious look.
"My... my arm! He might injure it when he tosses and turns!" Fenris offered as an excuse.
"He smells!" Anders blurted in response. "That's why we have so much incense burning!"
"I got the incense!" Fenris growled.
"I was under the impression that the two of you were friends. Surely you have shared a bed before?"
"Never!" Both men lied instantly.
"I see. Well, no time like the present," the captain gave them an impatient wave of his hand. "You can have more incense," Vasravaan looked at Anders, "and you can simply sleep with your injured side away from him," he said to Fenris. "I must go. Panehedan."
"Panehedan," Fenris replied glumly, while Esteban and Anders simply said "goodbye."
"Fenris, Esteban. Esteban, Fenris," Anders introduced the two.
"Hello, ser," Esteban nodded.
"Hello, Esteban. Thank you for your help. I'm... sorry for what happened when you tried to set us free," Fenris said carefully. The boy winced, which caused the elf to do the same.
"I'd rather not talk about it, if that's all right with you, ser," Esteban replied.
"Of course," Fenris remarked. All three were silent for a moment, when the boy spoke up.
"Regarding the sleeping arrangements, I'm sorry, but I had hoped that you two had made up," Esteban said shyly while looking at the floor.
"Listen, Esteban. There's nothing going on between myself and Fenris. And there never was. It was simply a misunderstanding."
"Okay," Esteban looked up and gave Anders an incredulous look. "If you say so," the boy rolled his eyes every so slightly. Anders frowned, but before he could respond, Fenris cut in.
"More importantly, you didn't imply to the Qunari about any sort of sexual relationship between us, did you?" Fenris asked tensely.
"No, of course not."
"Do the Qunari have something against such things?" Anders asked with pinched brows. "Not that it would surprise me."
"I have no idea, and I'd rather not find out," Fenris replied.
"I know well enough that some people can have very strong reactions to such things. So I kept my mouth shut about that," Esteban remarked. "Among other things," he added with a pointed look at Anders.
"What did Sten ask you?" Anders asked with baited breath.
"He told me to explain why and how I helped rescue the slaves. I could tell he wanted to know if there was any magic involved. I convinced him otherwise-" Esteban was cut off by a second hug from the blond mage.
"Esteban, you are one clever lad!" Anders said proudly.
"Thanks," the boy replied shyly as a blush reddened his cheeks. "So... which bed is mine?"
"You can have mine," Fenris muttered as he got up and walked over to sit next to Anders. The mage scooted over a good distance away. "Of course, you might want to air out the sheets a bit, according to Anders."
"I wasn't lying. You really don't smell all that fresh," Anders griped.
"And neither do you!" Fenris shot back.
"How can either of you smell much of anything beyond the incense?" Esteban asked as he sat on the bed that the elf had vacated.
"That's why I got it," Fenris muttered.
"Well... anyway... Esteban, do you have any stories to regale us with? We have plenty of time before bed."
"Um, well..."
"Preferably ones that don't involve slavery on the Osprey," Fenris muttered dryly. Anders almost reached over to smack his arm, but it was the elf's injured one and the mage remembered at the last moment.
"It's about how the Dalish first came to Llomerynn," Esteban replied.
"Even better," the city elf said sarcastically.
"Ignore him Esteban. This is a story that I would like to hear," Anders encouraged.
"And that's how the Dalish came to settle on Llomerynn!" Esteban said with a clap of his hands.
"Yes. Lovely story." Fenris remarked with zero enthusiasm.
"Yes, marvelous," Anders scowled at the elf, then smiled at the cabin boy. Esteban yawned, which caused the mage and then the elf to follow suit. They had since lit the room's two oil lamps after the sun had set quite some time ago.
"I'd tell another story, but I'm tired," Esteban said as he stretched his arms.
"No, no, that's fine. Get some sleep," Anders urged.
"Are we really sharing a bed?" Fenris asked gruffly.
"I'm not sleeping on the wooden floor. Are you?"
"No."
"Then we're sharing a bed."
"I get the inside, next to the wall," Fenris quickly announced. Anders scowled.
"So I get to be the one to roll off the bed when there's not enough space?"
"Captain's orders. My arm needs to be on the side away from you," Fenris smirked and lifted his mending arm.
"I get the pillow then!" Anders growled in response and grabbed the pillow before the elf could protest.
"Fine!" Fenris hissed and moved onto his preferred half of the bed. Due to his arm, he couldn't rest on his side, but he turned his head away to look at the wall. Anders gave him a moment, then settled in next to him. He scooted away from the edge of the bed, but when his bare shoulder touched Fenris's, both men jerked at the touch and instantly moved an inch away from each other.
"Esteban, can you get the lamps?" Anders called over to the youth.
"Of course, Anders," he replied and quickly did so.
The room was suddenly cast in darkness. It didn't take long for Esteban to fall asleep, given the sound of the boy's slow, even breaths. The same could not be said of the human and the elf at the other end of the room. Both remained awake for quite some time, keenly aware of the invisible line running down the bed between them.