Chapter Twelve: The Trade

'Leto? Leto can you hear me?'

Everything ached and I felt too tired to open my eyes. The voice came again, begging me to wake up. I pushed that thought aside. Anything that required more effort than breathing was too much, I hadn't even the capacity to dream as I lay there. She begged a third time and I gave a grunt of dismissal. It seemed to placate her, settling her in the knowledge that I was still alive.

'This is bad. This is very very letharais bad.' There was a noise as she moved about; the dragging of something heavy and metallic accompanied by the soft slap of bare feet on stone. 'Those damned mages! Sneaking up on our camp and attacking while we slept, flames take them!' There was a snarl of metal quickly turning; she must have rounded to look at me. 'Maker damn you! Leto wake up!'

I groggily opened one eye. We were in a small room built of dark stone blocks. There was a single door and a small window high up, with thick bars preventing escape. Refin stood with her arms crossed, looking more furious than Meredith had when Anders blew up the Chantry. I didn't look at her longer than necessary to gauge her expression as she'd been stripped down to her smallclothes. From the coldness I felt beneath me, I realised they'd done the same to me as well.

There was a banging at the door and a small slat opened to reveal an irritated set of eyes. 'Oi! Quiet in there!'

Refin merely glared the guard down till he slammed the viewing door shut and we heard footsteps stomp away. With a groan of pain I pushed myself into a sitting position, truly everything felt like I'd run full pelt into a stone pillar. As I moved I noted the fake vallaslin had been washed off my hands and arms; I imagined my fake markings were gone too. Suddenly I became aware of how naked I was. Not since my years in Tevinter had I ever been so bare before anyone but Hawke, and I was quickly struck with embarrassment. I sat on my folded legs and placed my hands to cover my lap.

'Sorry, this isn't your fault.' She sighed and looked away from me. 'It just aggravates me when someone bests me in battle. I'm a Grey Warden-Commander, for Maker's sake! I should be able to defend myself.'

'You're not at your best.' I excused, mouth dry. We must've been in there at least half a day by my reckoning of the sun's position, either that or days. 'I imagine it's extremely difficult to run, let alone fight with several pounds added to your front.'

'I'm thinking I might make it a training exercise when I get back.' She joked. 'Make all the Wardens strap sacks of heavy things to their fronts and criticise their technique. "I fought off Tevinter mages with this sort of handicap! You're an embarrassment to the Wardens!".' She gave a snort but as quick as it came her smile fled.

'I don't remember them doing this.' I indicated to our state of undress.

'You wouldn't.' She sighed. 'You started kicking up a fuss when they started getting us out of the cage, and the tall one knocked you out with Sleep. I tried to follow your lead but my concussion was making everything a little fuzzy. I woke up about an hour ago, been trying to wake you ever since. It's getting to me, I don't like being confined and I can't even understand what the bloody mages are mumbling about.'

'You don't speak Tevene?'

'A Tevinter mage was cursing at Zevran once, so he shouted something back in Tevene. Later when I asked what it was he taught me the sentence but not what it meant. That's all I know.'

'And what was it?'

She paused, considering the pronunciation. 'Futue te ipsum.'

I blinked then laughed. 'Yes I believe that will get you very far in Tevinter, especially if you say that to our new master.'

'What did I say?'

'The gentlest way I can put this in common is "Go and pleasure yourself".'

She gave a chuckle and then frowned. 'But you can speak Tevene, can't you?'

'One of the only perks of being born a slave here, yes.' I sighed but she seemed to be more relaxed knowing that at least one of us knew what was happening around us. 'Can you remember if the mages said anything? Even if you can't pronounce it, try.'

She shook her head sadly. 'No, I can't remember much and even that's garbled by pain and magic. Do you have any ideas as to how we get out of this?'

'Two.' I held up a finger. 'The short term plan is we try to escape at the first available opportunity, grab a weapon and fight our way out.' I held up a second finger. 'The long term plan is if that fails, and they don't kill us for it, we sit tight and try to bear through this while looking for an opportunity to find Garrett.'

'Let's hope the first one works then. I don't want my child born a Tevinter slave, no offence.'

'None taken.' I eyed the door. 'Have they brought food or water yet? Or come in to check our injuries?'

'No, and I don't think they're going to.' Refin indicated to her brow and I saw the wound from earlier was gone, the blood washed away. 'I think they did all that while examining us, and something tells me they don't care if we lose a few pounds.'

'Benefaris...' I growled low.

Our discussion was interrupted by a clattering at the door. I instinctively moved and got to my feet, getting pushing Refin back into a corner and blocking her with my body. Eyes glued to the door I waited for it to open. When the heavy wood was swung inwards it revealed Nerva and a man dressed in rich gold and blue robes; red haired with a full beard and moustache, his eyes glinting hungrily. It was then I realised where we were being kept. I had accompanied Danarius here many times in my younger years. These were the holding cells in the slave market, a place where the rich Tevinters would come and browse for a new slave or six. Slaves of a family were kept in the same cell, allowing a buyer to examine the choices like choosing a pup from a litter; seeing all their options whilst looking for any noticeable defects in the other relatives that he should be wary of. To be held this way meant they thought Refin and I were family. As I peeked over my shoulder to her I remembered the mages talking the night before.

"She's travelling with a male elf, so it's likely he's the father. If he has lyrium in his blood then the child will too."

I could use this to my advantage and keep Refin safe. So long as they believed the child was mine she would be cared for and free of labours and punishments. No one would risk damaging a potential incaensor, especially if it would be born with a skill as rare as my own.

'Here they are.' Nerva addressed the other man. 'As you can see, they are of the finest stock. The male bears lyrium bound to his flesh, which we believe grants him strength whilst his master would also reap enhancement benefits to his own magical abilities.'

The mage was lying through his teeth, he had no idea what my lyrium markings did and did not do. I hadn't had chance to use them in the previous battle, so all he knew for certain was that they glowed and somehow connected to the magic in a mage's blood. Still I didn't feel the need to correct him. No, I'd savour the truth and reveal it to him as I pulled his heart out of his chest.

'And there is a female, who I'm afraid he's blocking at the moment. You know how defensive elves get of their mates.' I scowled at this. The horrid familiarity of being spoken about like an animal was like being submerged in ice water. 'She is currently bearing his child, who we have no doubts will bear the same lyrium gifts as its father. Now of course ordinarily I would like to sell the male, the female and the child separately; however, if you're truly interested, I can make an exception and sell the three of them as-'

'What are they saying?' Refin hissed gently behind me.

'He's selling us.' I whispered back, eyeing the men carefully but they were too engrossed in their own conversation to notice us. 'I need you to play along with what I do, no questions. Can you do that?'

'Well I'm guessing my life depends on it.'

'Good. Now I need you to be as unlike yourself as you can be, and refer to me as ma vehnan.'

'You're kidding...'

I shot her a glare over my shoulder. 'I've not got the time to presently.'

'Of course you can, my Lord.' The slaver bowed and extended an arm towards us.

I hardened my expression and steeled myself, making my cage around Refin more intimidating. As the man neared I allowed my lyrium to flare. The red-haired man's face spread into more of a mirthful smile, he took hold of the chain about my neck and pulled on it hard. I was forced to my knees.

'He's of good breeding, I will give you that, Nerva.'

I tried to get up again, but he yanked the chain again. Pain roared through my neck as I choked. 'Stay away from my wife.'

'Oh how quaint, the elf thinks he can protect her.'

He bellowed a laugh and proceeded to approach Refin. From my new place on the floor I caught sight of her again. Everything about her had changed. No longer the grizzled Warden who shielded herself in sarcasm and wit, she produced a strange aura of fragility and sadness. Covering her chest with one arm, and wrapping the other around her stomach, she looked to the man as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

'Come darling,' he cooed as if trying to soothe a frightened mare, 'I just want to get a look at you, that's all.'

Refin backed herself into the corner a little more, turning her back to him and trying to use the stone to barricade her front.

'Leave her alone!' I roared, only to receive Nerva's boot in my gut.

Catching her arm, the buyer managed to spin her round. He glanced her over and then clicked his fingers to get the mage's attention.

'I will take all three.' He declared. 'Ten gold pieces.'

'You can't be serious.' Nerva scowled. 'On her own the female is worth twelve.'

'Ten gold pieces.' The man repeated, his tone gaining some gravity. 'Or shall I inform the Magister that you do not accept his generous offer?'

Nerva quickly shut up. 'No, no. Please, allow me to offer a reduced price. Nine gold pieces.'

'His Excellency would not want to see you out of pocket, good Sir.' The haggling was only a formality at this point. Dropping a title like "Magister" meant "Now I'll do as I like and woe betide you if you try and stop me". 'Ten.'

Refin and I did not argue as we were led from the holding cell. There was no cart as we were led through the streets. No, this was about showing off. A man leading two new slaves home meant he had come into power and wealth, he would be the envy of the capital by supper time. It pleased me somewhat that the man who had bought us was not our intended owner. I disliked the way his gaze lingered over the Warden. Though her act of innocence did not wane once, I was sure that beneath it the rogue was bubbling with fury. I would give her her revenge as soon as I could, and then we would find her cure and Garrett.

Our new home was a palatial mansion on the west side of the city, it took all of an hour to walk there from the market. It was strange because there was something familiar about the route we took. I then realised it was because the Magister lived in the same district as Danarius had. The day just kept getting better and better. My stomach took a sickening turn as we passed through the gates and I glimpsed the heraldry carved there. It must have shown on my face, because Refin looked to me.

'What's wrong?' She whispered, eyeing a pair of elven gardeners who had stopped to watch us. 'Do you know the family?'

All I could do was nod.

The gold robes led us inside, past several fanciful rooms and displays of artwork, none of which I care to mention nor remember too vividly. The nausea was growing worse, and my flight instinct was kicking in. Just as I feared I may bolt or flare my lyrium and kill the man holding our chains, I felt a hand gently slip into my own. My markings sparked a moment till I realised it was Refin. She looked to me with her soft blue eyes and smiled weakly. What I found strange was that this wasn't her pretending, she was genuinely trying to comfort me.

After what seemed a lifetime of walking, we were taken inside a large room that resembled some mockery of a throne room. At one end a large gilt chair stood on a dais, and off to its right side was a pile of silk cushions, shrouded with a translucent pink veil. In the giant sculpted fireplace, a fire raged contently spreading its warmth around the room. Chills still shook me. Sat on the chair was a man in his thirties; dark hair oiled back and dressed in rich robes of purple. His staff leaned against the arm of his chair, not menacingly but obviously within reach. We were knelt before him.

'Magister, these are the two you requested I purchase for you.'

'Ah, good. Leave me with them, Bascil. I wish to inspect them alone.'

The man bowed low and retreated from the room, shutting the doors behind him. Grey eyes considered us both a moment.

'You speak Tevene.' He addressed me.

'Yes, but my wife does not.'

'Then I will speak common for her sake.' He switched with ease and gave a smirk when Refin looked up, the use of her own language suddenly surprising her. 'It has taken me a long time, but I finally have what I've been missing. It pleases me that at last the quest is complete. I will admit I am curious though. Do you know of me?'

'I know you are a Magister who has purchased our freedom.' I frowned as a smirk spread across his face.

'No, I'm sorry let me rephrase that.' He cleared his throat and resumed his smug attitude. 'Do you remember me, Fenris?'

'That is not my name.' I retorted sharply.

It only served to please him more.

'Yes it is.' The Magister stood and looked down on us both, savouring the moment in the sick dramatic fashion that most of them practice. 'I know so because it was my father who gave it to you.'


TRANSLATIONS (non-canon phrases done by Google Translate, so no doubt very poorly).

1) Letharais. = Non-canon elven swear. Roughly means the same as "f**king".

2) Vallaslin. = The markings Dalish tattoo onto their faces, literally it means "Blood Writing".

3) Futue te ipsum. = Curse. Literally "Go f*ck yourself".

4) Benefaris. = Doesn't have a canon translation, I've taken it to mean "Good" or "Great".

5) Incaensor. = Tevene word for a dangerous magical substance. It can also be used in derogatory slang as a word for a magic-using slave.

6) Ma vehnan. = My heart, used like "My love" or "My darling".