Abandoned Sanctuary
Chapter: Appetites
This chapter contains sexual content. Rated M for mature and NSFW (not safe for work).
Aslinn followed Rose tentatively as the human lead the companions to their quarters. The feline rogue made a mental map of their path through the castle, taking note of any passageways or rooms they came across along the way. In all her years of fighting through castles and dungeons, she could recall more than one occasion that she and her friends had to turn around because of dead ends. And the last thing you need when there are thirteen pissed off beastmen breathing down your neck is to run into a dead end, she mused to herself. Since then to make a mental map (or when time permitted acquire an actual map) of any building's or city's layout, one just never knew when you had to make a hasty exit.
Rose led them down a long corridor that had rooms aligning each wall. The young maid turned around and bowed, "These rooms have been made available for you, please let me or one of the other maids, know if you require anything." With that the young woman left.
"So who gets which room?" Leliana said while poking her head into a room.
"I don't think it much matters, dear. They all look the same," answered Wynne as she pulled her head out of a doorway further down the hall.
"We at least need to let Sten have the biggest bed," the bard looked at the qunari, who was still standing at the far end of the hallway. "I mean, he is the tallest."
"I prefer a large bed as well," Zevran replied, suggestively adding, "With lots of room to move around. Don't you agree, kitten?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Aslinn and the crimson haired rogue broke out into a large grin, opening her mouth to reply.
"Oh, no! I don't want to hear about what you two do behind closed doors," the bard said cutting her off and dragged the feline towards at the opposite end of the hall, as far away from the Antivan elf as possible. "And I don't want to hear what you do behind closed doors either."
"I apologize, my dear Leliana," the elf looked overly concerned as he raised his voice so both females, and consequently everyone within shouting distance, could hear him over the distance between them."I did not realize you were feeling left out. I should have included you as well, yes? You do not mind sharing me with our Leliana, do you, kitten?" The pink that stained the bard's cheeks when Zevran shouted the last part was a reward within itself.
Wynne grabbed the elf by the ear. "You had best behave yourself while you are here, Zevran," the elder mage warned. "Your behavior while a guest in the Arl's house reflects back on the Wardens. That goes for all of us," the last sentence directed towards the remaining companions with a stern glare. "Am I clear?"
"I understand your concern, Wynne, but you need not remind us," Leliana laid a gentle hand on the Circle Mage's shoulder. "You have not been yourself, are you alright?" the bard asked quietly, hoping to avoid the attention of the others.
The older woman seemed to sag as she sighed and released the assassin's ear. He rubbed the feeling back into it and shot Leliana an appreciative look as she ushered Wynne into one of the rooms. Zevran thought he heard the mage mention something about Ostagar but he really couldn't be positive since his ear still had a ringing to it.
The elf looked in the direction he had last seen Aslinn in only to find the hallway deprived of her presence. Just as well, the mood had been spoiled. He could always catch up with her later on. For now, he wished to look around the castle since he was not allowed to come last time. The Arl already had one would-be assassin (not a good one in Zevran's option since he was caught) to deal with at the time. No need to rub salt in the wound and let the noble know he had another one under his roof.
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
Aslinn slipped into one of the empty rooms to avoid Wynne's potential wrath. The elder mage had been a bit moody since Laurena informed the group about their change in plans and that they would now be going to Ostagar. She didn't know why the old ruin was special, other than retrieving some sort of armor and documents hidden there, but apparently it was significant especially to the Wardens and the elder mage.
She brushed it off as none of her concern and changed out of her leathers. One of the guards had given her and Zevran a funny look upon their arrival so it was safe to assume it was an odd sight in this country to see armed elves. Why, she had no idea but Aslinn would err on the side of caution for now and slip into a comfortable shirt and some slacks. The rogue outright refused to wear a dress. For one, it was still freezing outside and for two, she didn't like wearing long dresses. The fabric simply constricted her movement far too much!
Not one to sit around idly when there was exploring to be done, the crimson haired rogue ventured out into the hallway. Aslinn found it vacant and had almost decided to go exploring the castle when her stomach let out a loud growl. I better eat something before I anything else.
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
Aslinn had wandered the castle hallways in hopes of finding the kitchen. After getting lost twice and running into several dead ends, she finally relented and asked directions from a servant. The feline made a mental note to find some parchment later and map out the maze of a castle. The kitchen was larger than any Aslinn had been in. The fireplace looked like a whole cow would be able to fit inside!
"Something you need, elf?" an older human asked coldly, probably the head cook.
The feline blinked at the almost cold tone the human had used, "Begging my pardon, I was wondering if I could get a bit to eat."
The human regarded her with a critical eye. "Elves get their meal after dusk," she informed her snidely.
"She's with the Wardens, mistress," one elf said in Aslinn's defense.
The human opened her mouth as if to protest but was unable to voice it as Alistair had just walked into the kitchen.
"I see I wasn't the only one craving a snack," the warden smiled. "The kitchens are still open, right?"
"O-of course, Lord Alistair," the old mage stammered. "Were you craving something specific? I can send one of the elves down to the cellar to-"
"No, no, no! Just whatever you have is fine!" Alistair quickly explained, holding his hands up.
The woman seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking ridiculously like a fish stuck on the shore as she struggled to breathe. "Ah. Th-there is a bit of pig roast leftover from the Arl's dinner… I-I could serve you some stew? With ham and cheese sandwiches?" She asked almost hesitantly, as though these were dishes somehow below him. But Alistair had smiled brilliantly at the mention of cheese.
The Templar clapped his hands once and rubbed them together, "Perfect!"
"Good," she nodded, surprised at his enthusiasm at the mere mention of food. "If you'll have a seat in the dining hall and I will bring it to you..."
"There's no need for that," the Templar said quickly a bit embarrassed at the fuss over just him eating. "I mean, you're eating here too, right, Aslinn?" he asked her, his face pleading her to not make him eat in the dining hall where so much pomp and circumstance would be required.
"Aye, I better eat now, else there will be nothing left. You would even eat the bones," the rogue was pleased to see the head cook give her a sour look from her spot behind Alistair.
"Oh har har," the man said sarcastically looking like he wanted nothing more than to stick his tongue out at the feline.
"This way, m'lord," the cook motioned to one of the tables off to the side."I'll have the elves fetch some cider for you and your friend." The cook gave Aslinn a rather nasty look when she said friend but Alistair didn't seem to notice.
The two sat at the table indicated "I'm sorry about Carrie," one of the elven servants said as he poured hot cider for them. "She is always like that, she likes order and can be very… coarse when things aren't done the way she thinks they should be done.
"Don't fret about it lad," the rogue said sipping appreciatively on the drink.
"I'll leave the pitcher for you then," the elf said setting down the container before taking his leave.
"So… where's Zevran?" Alistair started in an attempt to make small talk with the smaller woman. The two of them had never really been left alone, there was always someone around in camp, and he wanted to try and make amends for the way he reacted when he first saw her feline ears and that she was welcome within their group. "I was just surprised to see he wasn't with you."
Aslinn smirked, "We're attached at the hip now?"
"I-I didn't mean it like that. It's just," he stared at the glass. "You two just seem…close."
"Close?" the feline teased the innocent man
"You know…" the Templar motioned absently with his hand, not knowing how to explain.
The feline rolled her green eyes. "We're not together if thats whats you're getting at."
"You're not? Really? I thought you and he…" he trailed off when he saw the head cook herself coming with plates of food. Carrie placed the food close to Alistair, asking him several times if he needed anything else but blatantly ignored the crimson hair rogue sitting opposite the Warden.
Aslinn could hear Alistair's stomach growl loudly when the food was placed in front of them. The Warden didn't let it sit there for long and the feline realized she better start eating as well or Alistair really would eat everything.
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
Alistair watched the top of Aslinn's bandanna moved where her ear was hidden when the cook had come with the food. His stomach made itself known and the feline smirked. They ate quietly for a bit as he contemplated what he was going to say before he spoke, "I owe you an apology, Aslinn."
"I was only kidding about not getting any dinner," she said dismissively.
"No, I-I mean… about before," she raised an eyebrow at him clearly not making the connection for the apology. "When I… pulled a sword on you, it was a knee-jerk reaction. You've proved yourself to be a trustworthy friend and… I should have trusted you more than that. So… I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. I'm beginning to understand a little more why you reacted the way you did." she gave him a smile that looked a bit forced. Then turned away picking at her food.
Alistair saw the pain behind that smile and honestly didn't know how he should react. She was his companion after all he should at least say something. He opened his mouth to do so but she interrupted him.
"You grew up here right?" All traces of sadness gone from her expression as she turned back to him.
"Yeah," he blurted out, caught a bit off guard at her sudden questioning.
"Then you'd know the castle's layout?"
He picked at his food at bit. "I spent most of my time in the stable, but yes. Why?"
Aslinn smirked, "Any way I can have you draw me a map?"
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
The rogue left Alistair, who was on his third helping, in the kitchens, feeling the head cook's eyes on her the whole time. She was full after just one plate but the Warden seemed to have no bottom to his stomach. She was convinced she was lucky to have even gotten that one plate! Aslinn spotted a pair of guards outside of a heavy wooden door so she backed into a darkened alcove and took out a sheet of vellum. Alistair had helped, between mouthfuls draw out a map of the castle. Having lived here during his childhood he was the best source available for an accurate drawing.
"And this is the dungeons," he said once he finished sketching out the section of map. "I once locked myself inside one of the cells and the maids didn't find me until after dark."
"Why'd you lock yourself in a cell?"
"Well I didn't do it on purpose. It just sort of… happened. Here," he passed her the map. "That's all I can remember. Why did you want a map again?"
"I sort of collect them."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Aslinn did collect them but not for the reason the Templar had assumed. She took a piece of charcoal and marked a small X on the room the guards were in front of on the map. She'd come back later and see if there was another way in but for now she darted past the two armed men without their notice.
She examined several other rooms that turned out to be uninteresting bed chambers or storage rooms. Nothing the rogue found within those rooms was anything of worth, so she tucked the items back exactly where she found them. Aslinn had just about given up on exploring the castle for the night when a soft light peeking from open doorway caught her interest. There was an old saying that curiosity killed the cat… But apparently that cat hadn't known how to blend into shadows.
Doing just that, she slid silently into the dimly lit room.
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
Zevran left the kitchen, the bottles he'd acquired tucked safely away. What luck he'd had to find the wine cellar guarded by two luscious servants instead of armed guards! He not only was able to convince them to let him take some wine, but some of the Arl's secret stash as well.
The elf paused in his tracks, there were footsteps coming his way. The assassin knew there would be questions as to why an armed elf was sneaking about this time of night and, even though he hadn't done anything wrong (mostly), Zevran didn't feel like answering any questions. So he slipped into the nearest room which, to his luck, was a library. No one should be in here this late, with the exception of perhaps the voluptuous Wynne. So it was a pleasant surprise when he quietly peered around a bookshelf to find Aslinn lounging on padded bench with a book in her lap.
He was tempted to startle her in order to teach her a lesson on paying attention to her surroundings but with the guardsmen potentially still within hearing range, he decided against it. The elf purposely stepped heavily so she would hear him.
"I heard you down the hall. What's in the bottles, Zevs?" The feline asked, putting away the book she had been reading.
She must have heard the bottles clink, Zevran deduced. "Let us just say, I acquired some of our host's special wine," he withdrew the bottles from their hiding place, handing her a bottle while placing the other on a nearby shelf.
She uncorked the bottle with her teeth, taking a pull from it and made a face. "This doesn't taste like any wine i've ever had," the feline eyed the elf suspiciously.
Zevran took the bottle from her, sniffed the drink before taking a small sip, tasting it before actually committing to swallow the beverage. The drink burned his throat harshly at first before leaving a pleasant warm sensation in its wake. It was almost too strong to be wine and it had more of a sweet taste. Aslinn was looking at him expectantly. "Ferelden-made wine, my dear. Their wine isn't as refined as some other countries, still being relatively new to the process," he explained before tipping the bottle back again and settling next to her on the bench. "Not the worst I've tasted but still a far cry from any fine Antivan make."
They spoke for a while about what they had done earlier in the evening, each taking turns drinking from the bottle. Aslinn pulled out the map Alistair had drawn earlier and pointed out several points of interest she had marked. Zevran leaned closer to the feline to examine the map more closely (Alistair's handwriting was horrible, worse than a five year old's) and adding a few marks of his own.
He tipped the bottle but not even a single drop fell from the bottle onto his tongue. Surely they hadn't consumed the whole thing already?
Aslinn leaned over him and took the bottle from him. She looked inside the bottle and upon realizing it was empty, pouted. The elf smirked rose from his seat, reluctantly disentangling the pouting feline from his person first, to retrieve the other bottle.
By the time he made to the shelf and retrieved the bottle Zevran was feeling a bit giddy. It couldn't have been because of the wine though (wine isn't that strong, after all), so the elf brushed the feeling off as standing up too quickly. His fellow rogue in the meantime had stretched out on her back taking up the whole length of bench. Her green eyes followed his path from her upside down position and giving him a delightful view down the front of her blouse.
She righted herself and Zevran took his seat. To his surprise, the feline pressed her body to his then immediately locked lips with him. Zevran slipped his hand through her hair, causing the bandanna to slip off, and cradled her head. The crimson haired feline deepened the kiss without his prompting. She tasted slightly of the wine they consumed, he noted absently. Aslinn's smaller hand slide across the skin of his arm making its way towards his hand and the bottle he held there.
When she tried to slink away, bottle in hand, in one quick motion the elf caught her wrist, his other arm pinning her waist against him at the same time. The feline gasped at the sudden movement that made her straddle the elf's hips. He clicked his tongue at his fellow rogue, as one would do when scolding a child, and put the bottle on the ground. "Very naughty," he murmured against her skin as he ravished her collarbone with kisses. "I shall have to spank you as punishment, yes?" Zevran caressed her rear with both hands, and got the reaction he was looking for when Aslinn gulped.
The elf let a trail of open mouth kisses upon her neck, earning him a groaned, "Zevrrrrran!" as she practically purred his name when he paused to suck and lick where her neck met her shoulder. Once she was thoroughly distracted by his mouth, the elf smacked her bottom. The Crow smiled in masculine pride at the sound of her breathless gasp that turned into a moan when he grinded his hips against hers in approval, then made his way towards her ear, at least where most people's ears would be located if they were not a Miqo'te and, thus, had ears on top of their head instead. A fact the former Crow had forgotten about until he ended up with a mouth full of her hair instead of her earlobe. Zevran pulled back for a moment to reconsider his course and it was his turn to groan as Aslinn leaned forward to suck and lick at the sensitive pointed tip of the elf's ear. All thoughts of a slow seduction fled his thoughts and the assassin gripped the feline rogue by the hips and roughly bucked his groin against hers.
"Oh! Excuse me," came out a squeak from the door. "I didn't realize…I'm sorry." The couple turned towards the sound, both inebriated rogues tried to grab for their weapons (Aslinn momentarily forgetting hers was not on her) but their limbs entangled and they tumbled off the bench.
Zevran tried again to get up but only ended up stepping on Aslinn's tail. She let out a string of curses and she roughly shoved him off her brutalized appendage, making the elf stumble and fall back on the bench. The elf gave the feline and apologetic look before he stood unsteadily to go check the door for the girl. The hallway was clear and there was no sound of alarm. The person who saw them must have recognized them as visitors or had not found the guards yet. Either way, they needed to move. Zevran went back to where he left his companion. "We should continue this in a more secluded location yes?" he asked looking down at the feline.
"Aye," Aslinn replied, fumbling to put back on her discarded bandanna, before Zevran bent to help her up, and the rogues leaned against each other heavily as they made their way back to their chambers.
(¬,¬)
[_ ] )o{=====
UU
They managed to make it into the room before the former Crow pushed the red-head back against the door he had just locked and ravaged her mouth. She reacted in kind, pushing back against his bruising kiss reaching to unbuckle the straps that held his blades in place. Zevran rolled his shoulders in an effort to help her disarm him. She tugged insistently at the ties of his armor, the elf stepped back, giving her more room to work, Aslinn growled in frustration and extended her claws cutting the strings. She'd restring it for him later or buy him another set of armor but at that moment she just wanted the armor off. Zevran didn't seem to care about the damage either as he unbuckled his Mixed Metal Rounds belt, hearing some of the pouches hidden there open as he let it fall to the ground but he was more than confident he could maneuver around the spilled contents. The elf then slipped his armor off, tossing it somewhere behind him, not caring in the least where it or his arm straps landed. The moment the offending clothing was off Aslinn locked lips with him again. It didn't take much coaxing on his part to have her legs wrapped around his waist as he stumbled, his intoxicated state still messing with his reflexes, towards the bed.
The assassin placed his soon-to-be lover on the bed and withdrew to kick off his boots, the feline doing the same thing. Zevran returned to the bed, the feline greeted him eagerly caressing his torso. The elf looked down and noticed the woman almost still fully dressed whereas he was only in the leather slacks of his armor and smallclothes. "You, tesorina, are wearing far too many clothes for my taste," without warning the elf took the end of Aslinn's shirt and ripped it, then, with a well practiced motion, unhooked the front clap of her breast bindings with one hand.
The feline blinked in shock and horror (she had liked that shirt, it was comfortable), " You've done that before?"
Zevran smiled as be bent to nibble at her neck. "Is that a problem?"
"No, but I liked that shir—" her response turned into moan as the assassin took one of her nipples in his mouth.
"You were saying something, my dear?" he smiled innocently down at her. She growled in response, slipping a hand under the waist-band cupping the hardness she found there. Zevran groaned in approval. The elf removed her hand from his groin and whispered into her feline ear. "Adesso fai silenzio," pushing her gently back to lay flat on the bed, not half sitting as she was.
"If you are going to give me instructions, its going to have to be in Common."
Zevran pulled back slightly, he hadn't realized he'd reverted to Antivan. "It means hush, lay back," he hovering over her again.
"I like the way it sounded before," she purred, nipping at his shoulder as her hands explored the muscles of his back and shoulders. She ran her hands up his neck and into her hair. She pulled the tie from his hair and combed the braids out with her fingers. He smiled, tugging suggestively at her waist-band. Aslinn compiled and lifted her hips, removing the last two layers of her clothing and settling between her legs. She squirmed, he still was clothed from the waist down and it was uncomfortable sensation
The assassin chuckled, and then clicked his tongue at her when she tried to reach down to rid him of the offending clothing. "So impatient," as punishment he teasingly ran his fingers up her inner thigh, coming over her hip, his finger brushing lightly over her crotch (which with a quick glance the blond confirmed it was indeed hairless) to her other hip and ending again at her inner thigh.
"Zevs," the redhead pleaded. The elf chuckled and withdrew, the feline mewling at the loss of his heat, he returned to her void of any garments. He kissed her fiercely before moving to her neck, moving one hand to squeeze her breast. She wiggled and eagerly bucked her hips, rubbing her sex against his. "Please, Zevs."
"*Come si desiera, tesorina," he said with a smirk. He reached down and positioned himself at her entrance then with a quick thrust he was fully sheathed inside her. Zevran heard Aslinn's moan of relief echo his own. The feline's strong legs encircled his waist, encouraging him to move.
He complied, slowly at first, trying to savor the moment, his lover nipped at his chest with her sharp teeth and moaned, encouraging the elf to move faster. Finally Zevran threw restrain and worries about stamina aside, it had been far too long for the both of them to work for an exceptional performance. The dancing around one another, the teasing touches and words were too much for them and, they both needed release from the tension and they needed it now. The elf would worry about all nighters later.
Beneath him, Aslinn's whole body tensed as she hit her climax, groaning out his name. Zevran moved at a maddening pace and followed her soon after. He touched his forehead to hers, letting the waves of pleasure run their course. The elf slowly withdrew and lay beside her, lazily kissing her before lying down on his back.
The feline curled next to his side nuzzling him before moving to use his chest as a pillow. The comfortable silence stretched out between them and Zevran thought the woman had fallen asleep.
"What does tesorina mean," she mumbled sleepily.
"My little treasure," he responded automatically. It took him a moment to realize what he said and what it meant. Aslinn made a throaty sound of approval, and snuggled closer to his body heat a moment later, her even breathing told him she was asleep. Zevran lay awake, trying to fight off sleep. He hadn't meant to call her by that endearment, it was something a man called the woman he was courting or his wife. Not a random bed partner. He didn't know what that meant and his mind was too sluggish from drink and the aspect of sleep to think about it clearly. The assassin sighed and closed his eyes, he would muse over it when his mind wasn't so muddled, right now he enjoyed the warm of the fire and the presence of the woman at his side and it did not take him long after to slip into the Fade.
A/N
*Come si desiera, tesorina Italian translation: As you desire my little treasure.
Hello folks here is another addition to AS. I hope you all enjoyed the Zexy time at the end there.
Please let me know if I have made any errors in regards to the Italian. I'm using Google Translate, and Assassin's Creed for most of these. Yes I did just say Assassin's Creed. How could I not write down a few phrases and secretly pretend I was playing as Zevran and the Crows…
I would like to thank JanecShannon for being my ever faithful Magey Beta. I could not do this without her!
Please welcome Mizuke16 to the group. She also drew this fanart for chapter 13 it can be seen here: mizuki16. deviantart #/ d3dfg9q.
Also JanecShannon I hope you have been following along with her story as well as min, we have plans in the works for later chapters in both our stories. So please stay tuned.