They waited until nightfall to follow the trail of foot prints back to some hidden caves along Lake Calinhad. Anora was making headway and letting nothing stop her in her pursuit of her father's kidnappers. This reminded her of what she did to her team while she was in the Brecillian Forest.
"Slow down! You are going to get us killed, trust me," said Kara.
"He can't be too far! I am sure of it," said Anora as she hurried along. They entered the cave and Kara was looking for some traps but the damned woman in front of her was going to fast for her to properly search around. She finally got the woman to stop long enough for her pointed ears to pick up a snapping of a thin wire.
"Shit!" was all Kara could get out before the floor caved in beneath her and she fell a few feet before quickly pulling out her blades and stabbing them into the earth. They slowed her decent enough to where she stopped herself before she hit the nasty looking spikes at the bottom of this pit, "Damn woman! I will kill her for this."
After hours of Kara dodging traps, killing men, and crawling through the tunnels, she was pissed. She wanted to find her sister-in-law and show her a thing or two about why the Dalish were feared. She found her way into a back chamber and heard murmurs.
"Keep him quiet!," said a male voice.
"He is a Warden, keeping him drugged is near impossible!," said another.
She could hear the muffled noises of Loghain tied to something and he was trying to break free. Kara heard something behind her and she quickly turned around and had her blades flying through the air.
"Kara it is me," said a familiar female voice, Anora.
She kept swinging muttering a few Dalish and Antivian curses while she swung. Anora was surprisingly agile, as she kept just out of reach of Kara's blades. She didn't notice that they had came out of cover before she heard bowstrings snap and felt something pierce her flesh. She cried out in pain and twirled around to have two more arrows peg her in the chest. Anora dove behind a rock and reached for Kara. The Dalish was going down but not with out a fight.
"Damn...you," she said as her strength was leaving her.
She hit the ground nearby where Anora was taking cover. She felt a pair of hands wrap themselves around her ankles before she was dragged away. Two of the arrows that embedded themselves in her shoulders had snapped off just below the arrowhead, leaving them to be a pain of digging out later. She was behind the rock and barely conscious, she could feel hands moving over her, trying to see how badly injured she was.
"These are fatal, damn. I am going to have to pull these out. I would just push them through but they are too close to your heart. Brace yourself," said Anora before pain washed through Kara as the arrows were jerked out. Soon the feeling was replaced by a cooling numb sensation, a moderate health poultice.
She was coming back to reality as more arrows and some magic was flung at their position. Kara looked around for Deylon, but he wasn't anywhere in sight. She breathed in heavily and looked at her new, surprising savior, "Where is Deylon?"
"Guarding the way out, he and I parted ways, but he is safe I am sure," said Anora, "I am surprised you still live, but I guess that is your Warden stamina."
"Yeah, but it still hurts," said Kara, out of breath still, "So we taking these people by surprise?"
"That is out of the question, but the rocks look like we can go forward and take cover at the same time," said Anora.
"Why did you save me?" asked Kara.
"You saved all of us once, I should return the favor. Now is not the time to talk about this," said Anora, "Watch out, fireball! Damn, I wish my husband were here, he could deal with the mages."
"Well I have a way to repay you then, if you will let me. Just follow my lead, they will give in eventually," said Kara, "If I didn't hate you so much we would be good friends. You are a adept fighter and a good leader...I have come to respect you..but maybe that is the near death experience talking."
"The same goes for me, if I had not have come to like you over the few days, I would have left you there," said Anora.
"Damn, I am losing my touch. We just shared one of those feely moments," said Kara laughing.
"I suppose we have," said Anora.
"Come out! We have Loghain, if you don't surrender, he dies," said a male voice.
"Alright! We surrender," said Kara, slowly rising up and walking out into the open.
"Who is there with you, Warden?" asked who fit Leonus' description.
"Come on out," she told Anora.
"Look what we have here gentlemen. The famous Warden and the Queen herself. What a surprise," he said, "Come forward slowly."
They followed his instructions and were disarmed by his men. They looked over Loghain to find he had been beaten badly or tortured over the course of the days they had been with the men. Anora's face held all the hatred that she held for them, Kara however, her face was blank as stone.
"This is how it is going to work, I am going to give you a blade Karasu. You are going to plunge the dagger into the heart of your beloved Queen and we will give you Loghain," he said.
"The pleasure is all mine. I have no love for this woman. I have been trying to kill her for weeks, now you present me an opportunity to do so...I could hug you," she said cooly.
Anora was taken back by her response and a look of horror spread across her face, "You dare!"
"You have made my life a living hell," she told Anora," Why should I pass up a chance like this? Do you mind I apply some slow acting posion to this blade so I can watch her suffer?"
"Oh what a joy, I don't mind," he said handing her a knife.
She applied a poison in a blue vial towards the blade and swiftly struck. Anora collapsed before her and she turned around towards the bandits, "Now may I know who you are working for?"
"Antivian Crows we are. We have come to avenge the two Crows who have fallen by your hand. Taliesian and Zevran. You should remember them?" he said.
"I do Leonus, I do. Poor Zevran...I gave him false hope of leaving the Crows before I killed him. What a shame. Now that I have Anora gone, what now?" she asked.
"Well as we speak a few of our friends are going after the King. My job is to dispatch you, but seeing as you worked with us so well, how about a partnership?" he asked.
"I wouldn't mind," Kara lied.
Loghain had gained consciousness again as he saw his daughter before him and Kara wielding the blade. He struggled against his bindings and was murmuring, what Kara guessed, curses towards her and her people.
"Shut up! I should have killed you long ago," she hissed at Loghain," Mind if I tie up loose ends?"
"Not at all, he was on the list anyway," said Leonus.
Kara rushed over to him and dug the same blade into him as she did Anora. He collapsed before her as she turned on her heel and faced the man.
"Well here is where I am stuck. I have to kill you now, I hope you don't mind," he said.
"And if I were to truly believe anything you told me I would be a fool. You should have checked my pockets sir, I am armed to the teeth one would say," she said before laughing and lunging at the mages, coating her blade with some Magebane.
She dispatched them quickly before moving on to the archers. After they were dead it was only her and Leonus. He stood there, blades drawn before he began to slip into the shadows. Kara closed her eyes and listened to the area. Just because she couldn't see him, she knew he would try and sneak around her. She heard footsteps two feet away from her before she threw the blade in her hands in that direction. She heard a cry of pain before a loud thud. She opened her eyes to find she actually hit him, in the throat to be more precise. Laughing in her head she walked over to the man and twisted the blade slightly before jerking it out and planting it in his chest. With him dead she moved over to Anora.
"I hope this works," she said kneeling down and pouring some liquid into the Queen.
Anora lay there for a moment before inhaling and coughing wildly, trying to catch her breath. She did the same thing to Loghain before she cut his bonds and stepped back and let them recover. Loghain leaped up when he could and tried to jump her. She merely stepped out of the way before he ran into the cave wall that was behind her.
"Easy there, I didn't kill her. I put her to sleep. I used a potion I was working on to 'kill' people. It makes them appear dead until I give them the antidote. Come on, we have to get back to Deneriem, Alistair is in danger!" she said picking him up from the floor.
They ran as fast as they could out of the cave, grabbing Deylon along the way. They only stopped in Redcliffe to grab some horses to make their trip faster. As they rode hard, Kara could only think of her brother. It took them two days travel to get back to the capital. They arrived early in the morning and rushed into the castle prepared for the worst.
"Alistair! Where are you!" yelled Kara running through the halls. Each of them decided to split up to find him.
Kara ran as fast as she could, checking each of the rooms she walked past, finally she ran into a servant, "Where is the King!"
"In the study last time I checked," said the servant.
"Thank you!" she said darting off.
She ran to his study and found that the door was locked. Not taking the time to pick the damn lock, she bashed the door down. When she made it into the room, it was dark and she could faintly see a body or two in the middle of the room. She feared the worst and ran towards them. She carefully turned them over and found that they were two assassins, she sighed in relief before she felt a blade upon her neck.
"Rise and meet justice," said Alistair.
She turned quickly and ducked under his blade before hugging him around his neck, "Oh thank the gods!"
"Kara?" he asked stunned, "Is something wrong?"
"We came back as soon as we heard. We found Loghain and everyone is safe...How long ago did this happen?" she asked.
"An hour at most...I would have been dead if it hadn't have been for Zevran...He-" he told her looking grim.
"Zev? What happened?" she asked panicking.
"Disguised myself as one of them. I heard some rumors and decided my expertise was needed outside of these walls," said Zevran, walking out of the shadows.
"Zev!" said Kara jumping off Alistair and hugging Zevran, kissing his face all over.
"Yes, I am alive and still here for the moment but a few of them got away. They were from Antiva. Seems they were planning on using your and Anora's dislike for one another against you. They kidnapped Loghain so you two would kill one another. They didn't think that you would team up and hunt for him. They sent the others to finish off what was left," he said.
"That means you will have to go won't it?" asked Kara hopping off him.
"...Yes, I am afraid, mi amor, it does," he said.
"When?" was the only thing that she could think of.
"In the next day or two," he said, " We both knew this day would come eventually. They now know I am alive and it puts both of us at risk. They will report that we have failed and will send more if I don't deal with everything at the start of the problem."
"Well that means we won't have much time to make up," she said.
"Yes...So we will have to use what we have, to...spend together, my deadly s-" he said before being cut off by Alistiar covering his ears and repeating la.
Anora and Loghain heard the noise and came in to check on Alistair and found Zevran and Kara with him.
"So it is over?" she asked.
"No, it isn't but I have more important things to attend to," she said grabbing Zevran protectively.
"I suppose you do Commander," said Anora with a smile.
"We are even," said Kara holding out her hand, " It was good fight. I owe you some things."
"Let it bother you no more, sister," said Anora brushing by Kara's hand and hugging her, "You know I couldn't really take away your Commander status, though banishment was the second option."
"Ha! You and your threats, woman. I would have enjoyed the whole fun of you trying to banish me...Alas," said Kara sighing before breaking out into laughter.
All the men stared at the two, mouths slightly gaping open. They noticed and laughed together as they began to walk down the hall gossiping for once.
"What the Maker-" asked Alistair.
"I have no idea my friend, but it seems we should bother them. Lest the spell wear off," said Zevran walking towards the door and following them with his eyes.
"They found peace within my capture and rescue, or I bumped my head harder than I believe," said Loghain, "At least we have some form of peace."
After they spent hours of laughing and joking, along with sharing some 'hints' with one another they came back to everyone around lunch. They never did figure out why they hated one another so much and how something could have changed them so much, but that they figured, was fate. The rest of the day they gave one another compliments, shopping, and had the occasional friendly spar. They still kept up with the pranks, but they were less violent and bloody.
"So what have you two have been up to?" asked Alistair.
"Oh nothing, we just decided to go shopping," said Kara, " We found this wonderful outfit at the Wonders of Thedas, we picked out different colors."
Kara pulled out a rather risque outfit that made Alistair blush at the thought of his wife owning one, "She also gave me a few...hints," said Anora, which caused him to blush a deeper shade of red.
Zevran just pulled his love aside and kissed her on the cheek before nipping her ear, " I look forward to seeing this in practice."
"Later, love, later. I have something I wish to speak to you about," said Kara, " I know it isn't your nature, nor...mine, but you remember when you asked about my kinds...ceremonies?"
"Yes, I do," said Zevran in anticipation.
"Well one in particular. You want to preform it?" asked Kara.
"I thought this would be such, though I imagined it would be I asking you," he said.
"Asking her what?" said Alistair.
"Marriage!" squealed Anora.
"Well yes, in a sense...but my people believe in...Well how we 'court' our people we 'marry' one year and a day...We do everything a normal couple would do, but at the time limits end, we chose whether we wish to continue or separate," said Kara.
"Interesting no? If only humans participated in such," said Zevran, "But your people and your 'honor'. Alas, such things are wasted, or never ventured amongst your kind."
"And here I thought there was a baby involved," sighed Alistair, "I suppose a few more months could wait."
"More like years, Alistair," said Kara, " I am going to be the Commander of the Grey Wardens for some time now. I just hope once everything is settled I can return here. I would miss everyone too much. With Leliana guarding the Urn of Sacred Ashes, Wynne staying here and helping you, Ogheren joining the army, Shale running off to the Deep Roads, Sten off with his people, Morrigain is god knows where, and Zevran soon to be leaving for Antivia, I only have you two. It isn't much, and in a few months I will have a niece or nephew. God knows what I am going to meet when I get to Amaranthe...I heard they sent some from Orlais and there are a few recruits here and there. I hope to leave and get this over with."
"What I can't understand is how you two never thought of doing this Dalish thing before, I mean after...you know we killed the Archdeamon?" said Alistair.
"Well, with me and Anora fighting like cats and dogs, back then, things got complicated, and some important things were forgotten," Kara answered," Might as well get to planning something simple. How about tomorrow? That seems like a good day. Now that all this has blown over."
River: Hey this is your author speaking! I would like to throw a little happy note that I finally have broke open the friggin' door that leads to Dragon Age: Awakening. It took a bit to lay down all the stuff so the story would fit properly, I mean I can't have Zevran with me all the time, and this chapter really let me have things fall into place where they should be. Any thing that I missed from previous chapters like main event stuff I will have in later chapters as flashbacks. I am looking forward to writing the future chapters with very little plot focus if I can help it, but if I run out of ideas...well the plot will be back. *Crosses fingers* Two things I would like to do now on in the future:
1- My notes will be down here instead of up at the top, so I can start doing little skits and lighten the last thing you read, just in case it is all drama like or sad.
2. Will be explained after the skit!
Zevran: Damn, I was getting used to tying you up to the bed posts. Ah, well.
Leliana: Zev! What a risque thing to say now that we all have to say our farewells.
Wynne: Yes, some of us aren't appearing in the future chapters.
Alistiar: Hey don't lie! It says here in the Awakening script that you have a small part old woman, and I am sure River will let you have another part if you ask.
River: Hey none of that now! I have to make room for the new guys. Say Hi new guys.
Group of new characters: Hi
Morrigan: Ha Alistair, you are afraid because you have no parts in the future?
River: Shite! It is Morrigain! So hun, how is Orlais?
Morrigain: Brisk. Baby is fine.
Alistiar: Did you hear witch, I am going to be a father soon too.
Morrigan: I am not a father, I am a mother. As for you having children, I have not been much for religion, I pray Kara (River) will be there to make sure you don't mess up.
River: Hey no dragging me into this, I have got drama to plan and chapters to write.
Ogheren: So when do we fight the sodden darkspawn?
Sten: I suppose it will have to be soon... (yes readers I am throwing back the time wheel miraculously so EVERYONE can say bye)
Abraxies: Bark!
Shale: It wanted me?
Anora: I am present.
Loghain: As am I...
River: SO what do we say guys?
Dragon Age Origins Characters: Goodbye! We will miss you!
River: So Zev before I take you off screen and rape you one last time...would you like to do a disclaimer/threat for theives?
Zevran: Oh most certainly. Riverseithr does not own all of us (though she wishes she owned me) and if you steal this story I will hunt you down, call her, and we both will torture you the way the Crows trained me. Very painful if I remember. Now can I be raped?
River: Saying goes, "Can't rape the willing" my saying "I can sure as hell try".
Alright readers there is your skit for this chapter. Also, if you wouldn't mind, hit that review button if you like my story and dust the damn area off with your smexy reviews. Seriously I think cobwebs are forming and I hate spiders...