Chapter 21: Moving On

"You should be resting."

Justin did not respond. He continued with his training. The warden's sword and boarding ax cut the air.

Bethany had come to check up on him. He had finally woke up yesterday, after almost four days of being unconscious. The circle had finally permitted him to be moved into the warden quarters. Their healers advised rest. Bethany had expected to find him in bed, not pushing himself so soon.

He cursed himself; his moves were sluggish and sloppy. Commander Torrik would have rolled his eyes if he could see him now.

"Justin?"

He turned, despite the relative ease of his training; he was sweating and still very pale.

"I just need to work out the kinks Betts," he responded.

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"You nearly died Justin," she reminded him, "The only reason you still live was the fact that you received such a small dose of that poison. You should not push yourself. Your strength will return in time."

"I'm fine," he growled.

"Really?" she replied.

She walked casually over to him. Before he even had a chance to defend himself she floored him with a pulse of force magic. He tried to spring back to his feet, but found her bladed staff at his throat.

He froze right where he was.

"You are faster than this, when you are at full strength," she said conversationally, "You may not like it, but you will rest."

She removed the blade from his throat. Justin staggered to his feet. He felt his strength fade, but he refused to show it.

Bethany was not fooled.

"You're no good to anyone as a corpse." She added.

He glared angrily at her, the beast wanted to fight, longed to fight…

But the man recognized his limitations. Bethany should not even have gotten close to him, but she had.

He was not strong enough yet.

He lowered his weapons. He was breathing hard and feeling a little dizzy. He sank into the nearest chair.

He breathed out a tired sigh.

"Okay Betts," he said, "You win."

She approached him, her hands glowing.

"Here," she said, "this might help."

The spell was a minor one; it would bolster his healing and allow him to regain his strength sooner. Provided he did not make himself sick with overexertion.

Justin sighed; he accepted her gift, letting the magic wash over him.

"How are we doing?" he asked.

The warden mage frowned.

"Could be better, could be worse," she replied, "King Bhelen has still not granted us an audience. The assembly is in recess right now, some big vote coming up soon."

Justin nodded.

"Any sign of Delance's people sniffing around?"

"There is a chantry brother in Orzammar," she said, "Several of the noble houses have offered him their protection. He has come to negotiate on Knight-Commander Delance's behalf.

Justin cursed; it seemed that the Ferelden wardens' information had been spot on.

Now they just had to decide what to do with it.

"I have asked the Lord Steward to permit us to speak," she continued, "Perhaps we can sway the assembly into abandoning any support of Delance and his followers."

"It was possible he supposed; the grey wardens had many allies here in Orzammar.

Any one of them might help.

"How are the others holding up?" he inquired.

"Colo's fine," she began, "he seems to be curious about this place. I guess he has not spent much time here. Merrill has been spending her time in the circle. She says she is studying magic there, but I get the feeling one of the mages has caught her eye."

Justin chuckled. At least one of them was trying to make the best of their new location.

"Bradley finally got rid of his old Templar armor, a good thing considering the circle's feelings. Wren has been busy raiding our stores, making potions we might need as the mission continues. Faizyl, the dwarf who aided us when we arrived, is currently staying within the base as well. He has useful skills and at least some contacts that are still willing to talk with him."

Justin noticed that she had left one member of their little group out.

"How is Serene?" he asked shyly.

Bethany frowned.

"I think she is still a little angry with me," the mage admitted, "I think she hoped to go on the warpath after you were hurt. She has been keeping to herself mostly, exploring the city."

He digested that. The bard had not even come to see him since he had awoke. When she had met his gaze she seemed…hurt, maybe even a little annoyed.

He worried about that.

"Is…is she angry at me?"

The question made the mage pause. How best to answer it? She had warned him, warned them both. Relationships within a garrison only led to trouble. Still this was not the time to say 'I told you so.'

She still considered Justin a friend, regardless of his taste in women.

"You scared her. She…she is more angry at the situation than at you. Give her some time, she should come around."

He sighed heavily. It…it was good advice, but part of him wanted to let her know that he was sorry. He…he had not intended to get injured.

How did he let her know that?

He looked up into Bethany's eyes. The mage looked a little haggard, with bags under her eyes. He realized that he had not even touched on how the last few days had affected her.

He cursed himself again.

"How are you holding up? You look tired."

Surprisingly, she gave him an impish smile.

"I…have been keeping busy," she said enigmatically, "The nightmares are bad for me down here, but I have found ways to distract myself from the worst of them."

Now he was curious. She did not sound like her usual cold self.

"Care to share?" he inquired.

"No," she smiled, "Try to get some rest Justin. We will likely need you again soon."

She left him then. That small Mabari of hers had waited for her outside the room. It bounded after her as she left.

Justin considering following her, continuing their conversation, but a wave of weakness stopped him.

It seemed he would have to rest first.

He lay back down, keeping his weapons close. He did not sleep. The last few days had not been pleasant.

He had been trapped in darkness, unable to wake. He could feel the darkspawn reaching out to him through the taint. The creatures had been hungry to consume what was left of him.

He did not want to think about that. He wanted to get back to work, needed to…

Sadly that was not an option.

So he did what he could.

He rested.

IOI

Bethany made her way down the corridor. She found herself wondering if she had been mistaken not telling Justin about her and Birdie's…

Hmm?

She could not think of a good word to describe what they had.

Justin would likely not understand. She had no desire to have him go all big brother on her. Justin had always stood with Carver, trying to protect her from the world. She no longer required that help, and Justin had no room to talk anymore.

She had said nothing about his…dalliance with Serene.

She was not sure if he would grant her the same courtesy.

Birdie agreed with that, there was no reason to muddle the issue by telling Justin about the two of them at this time. Besides, it was not like they had anything serious going.

It was pleasure she sought…nothing more.

She enjoyed Birdie's company that was true. Plus…their lovemaking had allowed her to rest here without the need for more potions.

A wicked smile came to her mouth.

The healer knew all kinds of ways to exhaust her.

Neither of them expected anything to come out of this, they were simply enjoying the moment. Taking comfort where they could.

She had no desire to lay any claim over him.

Meanwhile, her head was once again clear. She could lead without the nightmares distracting her, or lack of sleep leaving her in an over emotional state.

A warden had to be cold sometimes, Stroud had taught her that. If the heat that Birdie offered allowed her to find that, then so be it.

She paused. She got the distinct feeling she was being watched.

She took a deep breath and reached out with her warden senses. She felt the presence of another warden.

She snorted.

"You are good elf," she said softly, "But not that good. Come out where I can see you."

A pair of glowing red eyes appeared from behind one of the griffon statues. Had it not been for her warden senses, Bethany likely would not have even known the girl was there.

Serene stepped out into the light, a concerned look on the bard's face.

"How is he?" she asked shyly.

The question threw her; she had expected something a little more brazen from the girl.

"He is resting," she replied, "You can visit him if you want, but do not seek to…push the limits of his endurance," Bethany gave her a cruel smirk. "I do not think he could keep up with you in his current condition."

Serene crossed her arms.

"Have I done something to wrong you lieutenant?" she asked.

Bethany glared at her. She could list a dozen things about the bard she did not agree with, but…that was not the reason she was here. Serene was a fellow warden now, as long as she did her duty, she could do what she pleased, with whomever she pleased.

At least the lieutenant pretended to think that way.

She…she was not happy with how this had gone…not happy at all. She still cared for Justin, and she thought that the bard was the last person he should be…fraternizing with.

A strange thought occurred to her.

You are so worried about what Justin will think about you and Birdie, and yet here you are questioning his relationship with Serene.

The warden mage flinched.

Was she really that much of a hypocrite?

Serene did not back down from her. The elf had guts…she had to give her that. Few would be brave enough to face a mage and tell her exactly what she thought.

Bethany respected that.

Despite the height difference, Serene stood almost nose to nose with her.

The bard was angry.

"I do not care what you think of me Bethany," she growled, "You may not think I am good enough to be a warden. You may not think that I'm good enough for Justin, but to be perfectly frank…I do not care what you think."

"Really?" Bethany said with an impish smile.

"Oui," the bard replied, "I love Justin and he loves me. You may not agree with that, but there it is. So keep your opinions about us to yourself. I will obey your orders as a fellow warden and your subordinate, but I will not deny my feelings for Justin."

"Is that really how you feel?" Bethany asked, "Do you honestly believe what you have with Justin is more than simple lust? Do you actually think the two of you might have a future together?"

Serene froze.

That…that was a good question, she cared about Justin, but was this more than a simple fling for him?

Did they have a future? She did not know, but one thing was for certain.

She intended to find out.

"If we have a future togethair that is for Justeen and I to decide. So, I would appreciate eet, eef you simply stayed out of our affairs."

Bethany regarded the elf coldly, she…she expected the girl to flinch, to apologize for getting up in her commanding officer's face.

The bard did not do that.

The two women regarded each other closely for a few minutes. Finally it was Bethany who decided to end this discussion before it escalated any further.

She headed down the corridor, leaving the elf behind.

Serene watched her; perhaps that elf expected some dire warning. Maybe she expected the mage to tell her to watch her back, or some other veiled threat.

Bethany did not play such games.

She paused.

"Are you being honest with me Serene," she asked, "Or is this some kind of new game?"

Serene continued to glare at her.

"I care about Justin," she answered, getting her accent back under control.

Bethany nodded; she found that she believed the elf.

A hint of a smile came to her lips.

"Good," she replied, "Justin will need you in the coming days. Do not even think of hurting him, or the death sentence you escaped in Starkhaven will seem like a gentle vacation."

She continued on down the chamber, her Mabari at her side.

Serene stood silently watching her, trying to make sense of what she had heard.

Was that the mage giving her blessing for her and Justin's relationship?

Serene could not tell.

Whatever it was, one thing was certain.

Change was definitely in the air.