Chapter 14
"There she is," Anders stated as if he had spotted an old friend.
Elissa and her companions viewed the city before them. The City of Amaranthine, once a humble fishing village, was now a key port city and a main center for trade on the coast of the Waking Sea. Walking past the modest homes of the townspeople, Elissa watched as the sun set over the docks.
"A beautiful sunset, yes?" Zevran asked Elissa, admiring her form and not the dusky skyline.
She twisted around and examined Zevran as he stood with his back to the sun. Bathed in the warm colors of twilight, his bronze skin and rippling muscles seemed to glow. "Yes… striking…um, I see a lot of vessels are docked today." She looked back to the docks, uncomfortable with Zevran's nearness.
Zevran sensed her discomfort, but continued to provoke her. "We should go to the waterfront and see if any boats are worth a closer look," he said temptingly.
She looked to him with a curious eye. "Go ahead. You don't need an armed escort, do you?" she scoffed.
He laughed to himself, knowing full well she was interested in the harbor sights. She loved the salty smells of the sea the few times they had sailed together, and he knew she would not be able to stay away from the water for long. "If you insist, my Grey Warden. I will meet up with you later. In the meantime, you know where to find me…"
"Right. Don't rush back on my account…" she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear. He smirked at her, and disappeared into the sun's rays.
She peered over at Nathaniel, who looked tense and apprehensive. "Nathaniel, as soon as we enter the city, you should go find your sister. You can meet us at The Crown and Lion Inn later this evening…unless you want some company," she asked cautiously.
"Thanks but, no. I think it best if I go alone."
"As you wish." Elissa was disappointed he didn't want her companionship. "Let's get into the city proper then, shall we?"
A city guard approached the group as they neared the gates and wanted to search their baggage for smuggled goods. "The city is having trouble with smugglers and thieves who have all but taken over, my lady. I'm afraid I will need to check your bags"
"I assure you, we are not smugglers. I am Elissa Cousland, Commander of the Grey Wardens. Move aside, please." As she stepped around the guard, another man approached.
"Guard! What are you doing? Are you accusing the Warden Commander of smuggling? Be off, man." The guard left in haste as he realized the predicament he could be in for insulting the Commander of the Grey. "I apologize, Commander. Some of our guards are…overeager. I am the Constable of our fair city. Please, call me Aidan."
Elissa nodded, forgiving the guard's actions. "Not to worry, Aidan. How can I help you with these smugglers your guard spoke of?"
"If you have the time, Commander, the city guards could use your help. Trade has almost come to a complete stop since the smugglers have moved in selling stolen goods at inflated prices. If we could shut down the smuggling ring and seize the supplies, it would benefit a great many needy folk here in the city."
Elissa tipped her head forward in agreement. "I'll see what I can do. Where can I find some intelligence about the location of these criminals?" She felt somewhat excited at the chance for more action. Elissa thought it a wonderful way to introduce herself to the people of Amaranthine.
"Head into the market, and you should find a suspicious individual near Glassric's shop. Glassric, by the way, is a fine weapon smith, in case you have the need for one. In any case, this shady character has been milling around there for days and word is he knows plenty."
"Alright, then. Thank you, Aidan. Come on, boys. Let's go check out this lead." Her two companions followed her through the gates of the city into the marketplace. She sensed Nathaniel's impatience at this slight deviation in their schedule. "Nathaniel…after we speak to this chap, it should be a good time to look for Delilah. Anders and I can figure out our next move while you are exploring."
"Fine by me, Liss." Nathaniel motioned with his hands for the group to move forward. "Shall we?"
As they neared the weapon smith's shop, Elissa noticed the man Aidan spoke of. She walked over to him and introduced herself. "Good day. My name is Elizabeth. I and my friends here," she said pointing to Anders and Nathaniel, "believe we have need of your…services."
The man narrowed his eyes, and gave her a lecherous grin. "Is that so, pretty lady? And which of my services are you interested in?"
"We need some supplies, specialty items, actually. I understand you have some for sale." she said sweetly.
"You must think me a fool, Commander. Your charade is pleasant enough, but I think I should have my men take care of things. Get them!" he roared. Four armed men and a mage quickly descended upon Elissa and her friends. Anders quickly cast a freezing spell on the smugglers, and Elissa cut them down one by one. All the while, Nathaniel let loose a steady stream of arrows aimed at the targets. The wardens killed them in short order and the shady character took off running.
With adrenaline still shooting through her, Elissa spun around to check on her associates, half expecting to see Zevran grinning at their success. But, the only one smiling was Nathaniel. Her eyes caught his gaze, and he seemed at a loss for words.
"Nathaniel, are you…alright? Why are you smiling like that?" she asked inquisitively.
"I'm fine. I'm just amazed by your blade skills, Liss." He was truly awestruck by her grace and power. "You are...remarkable, to say the least."
Elissa was blushing at his compliment. "Thank you, kind Ser. And you are an exceptional archer. Maybe you could teach me how to shoot arrows like that sometime," she said with eyebrows raised and an impish grin.
Nathaniel strode over to her and said in a deep voice, "I would be happy to teach you, Liss. In fact, I think you would enjoy it immensely. And maybe, you could return the favor?" She felt even more flush and wasn't sure how to handle his obvious play for her, but Anders spoke up, saving her from answering.
"Why don't I hear anyone complimenting my skills? You two have hurt my magical feelings," Anders said, pouting playfully.
Elissa and Nathaniel looked at each other and laughed enthusiastically. "And you, Ser Mage, are equally as talented with your staff," Elissa remarked.
"I've heard women say that on several occasions, Commander," Anders said wiggling his eyebrows.
"I bet you have, Anders," Elissa said, feeling self-conscious. "Moving on…Nathaniel, go ahead and find Delilah. We'll take care of our rooms and such."
"Yes, I will do that. Wish me luck, Liss?" Nathaniel asked, hoping for a more personal send off.
"Of course. Good fortune, my friend. And take your time getting reacquainted with Delilah." Elissa gave him a quick peck on the cheek and turned to Anders, suppressing the urge to hug Nathaniel. "Let's go, Mage."
Anders got the impression that Elissa was very conflicted about her feelings for Nathaniel, but he didn't meddle. "So, fearless leader, where are we off to now?" he asked.
"We are not off to anywhere, but you are. Please secure us some rooms at the Inn and ask around for any information about the 'Dark Wolf' that Varel mentioned. I would like to know who is conspiring against me as soon as possible. I have an errand to run and I will meet you at the Inn later. Think you can handle things by yourself?" she asked half jokingly.
"Yes, my liege. I can handle things. And, if I may so bold as to ask, where are you going?" Anders thought she was going to look for Zevran, but didn't want to come right out with his suspicion.
"None of your business," she stated emphatically. "Don't worry. I can handle myself well enough. Just do as I say, please." With that, she walked away from Anders and headed for the docks.
The harbor seemed less bustling than Elissa expected it would be, given the need for supplies in a city the size of Amaranthine. There were several vessels carrying grains and the like, and a few ships that may have been owned by pirates. As Elissa strolled around the pier, she caught sight of one ship that was most certainly a pirate ship - The Siren's Call. Its captain, Isabela, was the same woman she had slandered not so many days ago. Isabela had picked up a special fighting technique during her travels, one that depended on speed instead of strength. She called herself a "duelist" and had taught Elissa some parrying skills at the Pearl in Denerim. If Zevran was to be anywhere, he would be with the Queen of the Eastern Seas.
Elissa prowled the docks, slipping in and around the shadows of nightfall. Carefully, she crept towards Isabela's ship, tiptoeing past the drunken sailors that littered the boardwalk. As she approached the ship, she could make out two silhouettes backlit by lanterns. Through the door of the Captain's quarters', she recognized Zevran's outline in an instant. Inching closer, Elissa boarded the ship as covertly as possible, careful not to make a sound. She held her position alongside Isabela's state room, and peeked in through a tiny porthole, listening for dialogue between the former lovers.
"Such a pleasure to see you again, Isabela. Truly, you a wonder to behold." Zevran spoke with his usual flirtatiousness and swagger.
"Still charming as ever, Zev. I must admit I long for your compliments." Isabela moved closer to Zevran and caressed his cheek with her fingers, her lips barely an inch away from his. "Maybe I could entice you to use those strong hands at my...helm? I seem to be short one of my crewmen." Elissa clenched her fists at the sight. Isabela's smooth, sultry words gave Elissa goose bumps.
Zevran sighed and backed away from Isabela. "Alas, I must decline your tempting offer, my dear. I have only come for a visit, and perhaps some information." Elissa inwardly smiled. She thought he might succumb to Isabela's sensual gesture of intimacy, but he refused.
"Come now, Zev. You must be a little interested in having some fun with me, or are you under the spell of a lovely woman…again?" Isabela asked affably.
"Again? Ah, you are speaking of the Grey Warden I travelled with during the Blight, yes?" Zevran asked.
"Of course, Zev. She had you wrapped around her finger. As I recall, I taught her some duelist skills after a game of Wicked Grace. I also recall she did not want to share you with anyone, even if she joined us in a sexy romp aboard my ship." She caught Zevran spinning the ring on his finger. "Don't tell me the great Zevran Arainai has settled down?" Her wild, high-pitched laughter pierced the night air. Elissa felt a wave of relief wash over her knowing that Zevran was not going to do anything but talk with Isabela.
Zevran was irritated by her questioning and obvious amusement. "When you are through entertaining yourself with my personal life, I would like to ask you a few questions, if I may."
"Oh, Zev. It's such a crime to have you off the market. Men and women from here to Par Vollen will be slitting their wrists in despair. Tell me, that ring you are wearing…a token of love and fidelity?"
"Isabela, my dear, let me say this. Who I choose to sleep with is my business. I will only say that I am no longer available to be had…in the way you are accustomed to having me. And yes, the Grey Warden still commands my attention. Satisfied?"
"Never…but I'm used to disappointment." Isabela shook her head in disbelief. "Well Zev, I wish you luck. Should she ever leave you bereft, I would welcome you with open arms." Isabela kissed him tenderly on the lips, as if to say farewell. Elissa was surprised by Isabela's sentimentality. But what really made her heart skip a beat was Zevran's loyalty to their relationship. She almost burst into tears, and in her attempt to control her emotions, she let go a small squeal of happiness.
Zevran and Isabela had Elissa's back to the wall in an instant, each with a dagger at her throat. Immediately they realized it was Elissa, who was looking quite embarrassed; they sheathed their weapons and took a step back.
Isabela smirked at Zevran. "Well, well, look what the tide dragged in, Zev."