Chapter Twenty One: A Good Heart
"Well that was… not what I expected…" Alistair sighed as he slumped against the stone building. "To put it lightly…"
"You're telling me." Dorian scratched the back of his neck. This day just kept getting better and better. "Although, I have to say it went better than what my family get together would be like." The mage tried to put on a brave face.
Alistair stared off into the distance, lost in the painful realization. Dorian wasn't certain, but he could have sworn the blonde man's eyes had watered.
Ah geez… poor Alistair…
Dorian sighed and came to stand beside his friend. When Alistair had approached him days ago to seek out the Warden's supposed sister, this outcome was not what either had expected. In truth, Dorian knew it was asking too much to hope the woman simply accepted Alistair as family and welcomed him with open arms, but how she acted…
"I am sorry Alistair…" he turned to his friend. "You shouldn't have had to put up with that…"
"I'll live up to my promise, I suppose. But… is this the family I've been wondering about all my life? I can't believe it…" he muttered to himself, not believing his own eyes.
Dorian placed his coin purse back inside his pocket. He felt a slight bit of annoyance at the fact he had given the woman as much as Alistair requested, especially since she scoffed the generosity. Then, Alistair went on to promise more. He had only just met the woman, and already he was bending over backwards for her. Alistair was a kind man, but the world wasn't kind. Someday, his kindness would be his downfall.
"I…I guess I was just expecting her to accept me without question. Isn't that what family is supposed to do?" Alistair near laughed at the painful thought. "Suppose I wouldn't know what family is meant to be like… would I? I feel… like such a complete idiot…"
"I… I am sorry, Alistair." Dorian sighed. "But, the world doesn't always work out like that…"
"What…what do you mean?" the tall man looked down to his friend. His eyes confirmed what Dorian had suspected.
"Sometimes, people only care about themselves." Dorian shrugged. "In this world, the strong survive and the kind get trampled on."
"You're wrong." Alistair shook his head. "We've met people, good people. We've helped them, and they have done the same."
"And at what cost? What have we gained from them, or they from us?" The mage sighed. "I learnt a long time that people tend to only care about themselves. The sooner we realize this, the better we will be."
"But… you are a god person. You help others… You care about others." Alistair's frown deepened.
"Do I? Or do I simply cause more harm than good? Perhaps I only do what I do… for my own gain." Dorian frowned and stared over to a rundown house, the house this very afternoon was occupied by an Orlesian woman. "Everyone… is out for themselves…"
"Do you think Leliana is this way?" Alistair near shouted. "No. Because she is a good person. We all are, in our own way."
"At least Leliana isn't foolish enough to hand over half the gold reserve to a woman she just met." Dorian snapped. After everything he was in no mood to speak on Leliana. Alistair's eyes widened as the truth slapped him. Dorian felt the words bitter taste as the left his mouth. "Alistair, I…"
"No. You're right." He sighed. "You're right… I suppose it is time I realized this… all of it. I-I have to go. I don't want to talk about this anymore." He stepped off the wall with a heavy sigh.
"Alistair, wait-"
"I'll see you later… I'll go order us some rooms at the tavern. Thanks for coming with me…"
With that, the broken man headed off. Dorian smacked his head backwards onto the wall. Stupid, he thought. He let his own bitterness possibly ruin a good man's heart. Alistair wasn't foolish, he was just too kind for his own good. Another thump against the wall, that's two lives he's ruined today.
Does someone want to join me? We can make it three?
"You know, my friend, these buildings are not all that stable." An Antivan voice rang beside him. "And another hearty smack like that, the whole structure may crumble."
"Not now, Zevran." Dorian sighed as he clenched his eyes firmly shut.
"I apologise for disturbing you, I just wanted to make sure you were alright." The elf came to stand in front of his taller friend. "Also, I have finished assisting our giant friends in 'tidying' the mess in the house over there."
"Find anything worthwhile." Dorian was not entirely interested.
"Some bits and pieces that would fetch a fine price in the markets, which is where I am heading now. But, I wanted to double check something with you before I sold it."
"I don't want anything from that bleeding woman." The mage near growled.
"Ah, well… it isn't entirely for you." Zevran awkwardly fished in the large sack by his side. "It was for Leliana…" he pulled forth what appeared to be a long bow of great quality. Dorian's eyes shot open at the mention of Leliana.
"How do you know it was for her?"
"Well, I am not entirely sure, but it was found in a chest with the woman's fine clothes… I noticed something was carved into the bows handle. Apart from that mark, it would have been priceless."
Dorian took the bow and studied its make, Zevran was right, the bow was magnificent. And no doubt would have cost a fortune to make. He spied the small mark carved proudly into the handle, an elegant L. It was not professionally done, someone had taken a knife and carved it themselves.
"One guess what it stands for…" Dorian near chuckled as he somewhat recognized the style of the lettering. "This did belong to her." He couldn't help but smile as remembered receiving a note along with a present from Leliana, in which she signed with the same L.
"I thought as much." Zevran nodded. "Would you like me to bring it to her?"
"No, I will." Dorian sighed as he awkwardly flung the bow across his back. "Did it have a quiver?"
"It did, I can carry that for you if you prefer." He smirked at the awkward display before him. "You seem to have your hands full."
"Err, thanks." Dorian chuckled as he tried to realign the string. "Don't know how she carries these things constantly."
"I prefer daggers myself." the elf grinned. "Well, I shall go and bargain for the best prices. I walked past an Antivan stall earlier today, which I am certain would find these rather worthwhile."
"Thank you Zevran." Dorian bowed his head. "I appreciate this."
"Pfft, I do not do this for you dear Warden." He winked. "I am merely in it for my cut of the profits, which I intend to spend at the fruitful Pearl. If you are interested, I could shout you an evening there?" he said followed by another cheeky wink.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't drink." Dorian waved his hand with a grateful smile.
"Oh, I wouldn't drink the swill they offer. I go for the other worldly pleasures." A third wink was granted.
"The other…?" Dorian paused for a moment, studying the elf's wiggling eyebrows. "Oh!"
"Ahah, he gets it." Zevran near burst with laughter. Dorian went pink all over.
"Then I definitely recline."
"Such a shame, I have a friend who is currently occupying the place. She would have loved you." The elf slung the pack over his shoulders and left the mage to his blushing, Zevran's laugh could have been heard from the Chantry.
Again, Dorian was left alone. He glanced sideways to the bow strung to his shoulder, no doubt this would be something that would cause problems. Still, it had to be done. If only he knew where Leliana had gone.
The mage looked up to the sky and noticed how quickly the day had gotten past him. He hadn't even had the chance to do what he originally had come to Denerim for. There was still the matter of this Brother Genetivi at hand, and the fabled Ashes he was apparently now searching for.
Maker, I'm a bloody glorified errand boy.
Damn it, he thought. He would be selfish and allow a few moments to himself, something he found incredibly hard to do as of late. He had allowed the others time to shop for their required supplies, and so he would do the same. Besides, he needed to wait for Wynne with her information before attempting to even approach this Genetivi.
Awkwardly, Dorian walked back to the direction where he originally met Alistair. He clung to his pack as well as the new addition to his belongings and tried to walk tall and proud. The people about town had grown curious of the newcomer, he didn't need to be harassed. Well, again. On his way to find his fellow Warden, a shady man approached him about being in 'business'.
Business, bah. Petty thievery is not something I stand for.
Gladly Dorian sent that man on his way. So many crooks about this town, it was practically a gathering of lowlifes.
Finally he reached the shop he had become rather curious over. The Wonders of Thedas was a shop someone like Dorian could only ever dream about. As soon as he stepped into the enormous book shop his eyes grew twice their size and his mouth near watered. Alas, Alistair had dragged him away a second later. Not this time though. No, the mage would sit and read and not be disturbed.
Or I shall set their shoes on fire!
He chuckled as he stepped inside the shop. He was welcomed by a pleasant chiming bell, alerting others of his arrival. The shop keep was someone Dorian found most interesting, unlike the shops he visited in his travels for supplies, this one was run by a Tranquil. Someone he didn't think to see outside the Circle.
Well, there was the one helping at Ostagar… I hope he made it out before the battle.
"Good day." The Tranquil said as he swept by the door. "Can I help you?"
"Good day." Dorian smiled, unlike most people he treated Tranquil mages with the utmost respect. And why wouldn't he? They were part of who he was. "I require everything on this list." He pulled his usual ingredients list from his pocket.
"Of course." The Tranquil spoke in his monotone, stopping momentarily from his task to study the note. "These ingredients are unusual, not what common travellers would purchase."
"Uh, no." Dorian visibly gulped. He forgot how smart Tranquil were, and where their loyalties lay. The shop keep paused a moment, as if he was actually thinking on something. His face however, remained dangerously neutral.
"They should not be hard to acquire." His tone did not change as he properly took the note. "I will have this order filled shortly. Would you like it delivered?"
"No, thank you." Dorian bowed his head. "I think I would like to stay here and have a look around, if that is alright?"
"Of course." The Tranquil said, as if nothing was amiss. "I shall return once I have everything you require. Good Day." With that, he left.
Dorian audibly let out a loud breath of relief. Fooling a Templar was an easy task, well, most occasions. The older ones were harder, their senses were finely tuned to magic. Often on their travels Morrigan was forced to use some of her more unfriendly spells in order to slip past Templar enquires. But fooling a Tranquil, that was something entirely different. Though they were cut off from the Fade and magic, something about them allowed their minds to be aware of another mages presence. Obviously the Chantry's cruel idea of creating 'watch dogs'.
I'm not sure this fellow was exactly 'fooled'. He didn't question me at all. How odd…
Pushing the thoughts aside, Dorian went and began browsing the shops book shelves. He had never seen so many books, well, not since leaving the Tower. This would have once been his idea of Heaven. Eventually he found a rather interesting book. A romance by the looks of it, and of Nevarran origins, judging by the title. Dorian was a bit of a sap when it came to books like this.
"The dark haired elven beauty went about her mindless tasks. Oh, how she dreamed of a life of excitement. Of days filled with treasure and nights filled with passion. But what adventures would she ever have? Slaves were never permitted a chance to dream…"
Dorian read on, he liked reading stories about slaves escaping to their freedom, thwarting their masters. He read quickly, hoping to reach something worthwhile sooner rather than later.
The author of this novel certainly wanted to give a rather thorough backstory.
Unlike most people, he grew accustomed to reading rather quickly. A talent he found most useful when studying in his classes. He was beginning to see the quality of the novel was not quite what he hoped.
"Never in her steamiest of dreams had she ever imagined a man quite like… Roberto… No, how could she think this way. He was a married man, and worst of all, the man who held her chains."
"Oh sweet Maker." He chuckled quietly to himself at the pure cheesiness of the novel. Obviously this was not the story he had assumed. Still, he continued.
"…he pulled against her tunic with his calloused yet nimble fingers. His blonde hair flicked deliciously in the warm breeze.
'Oh Roberto…' she sighed against his hands. 'We shouldn't be doing this...'
With a swift step, he swooped the elegant woman into his toned arms. His thin moustache wiggled as he puckered his lips. Oh how that moustache made her toes curl. So sexy, so manly…"
"What the actual Void?" Dorian scratched his head. "Who reads this rubbish?"
"…so quickly her clothes fell, leaving her bare skin tickled with the sun's rays. What the scandal, she thought, if the other servants caught them. Or worse, his wife.
'Do not tell me… you do not want this…?' Roberto purred into her ears. His lips curled up into a cunning grin, he knew very well she had dreamed of this moment for so long…"
"Err… this is not at all what I was wanting to… oh…" he continued to read, cheeks reddening as the words continued to paint a rather odd image. "Wait… what's an Antivan Milk Sandwich? Oh… Sweet Andraste's Merciful End!"
He pulled his face closer to the pages, trying to understand what in the Fade he was reading. None of what was being described seemed at all enjoyable.
"Good book?" a sweet accented voice came from beside the focused mage. Dorian jumped nearly through the roof with fright, his face almost on fire with embarrassment.
"Leliana…I... This… um…" he violently slammed the book and almost thrust it from his sight. Shit, he thought repetitively.
"From that reaction, I would say the answer is yes?" she chuckled and grabbed the book from the table and studied the cover. "Hmmm… 'Slave to Love'? I hadn't picked this would be your type of book." She tried hard to mask her humour.
"I…it isn't… I didn't…" the mage tried with all his might to melt away into his seat. This was just a tad awkward.
"Not my cup of tea." She turned and placed the book back on its shelf, then returned with a new one. "Here, this is more you're taste."
"Uh…" he awkwardly took the book and studied the cover. "I wasn't actually wanting to read… 'The Bard's song'?" He blushed even further when he looked up to see a rather smug grin spread across Leliana's face.
"That's one of my absolute favourites." She grinned. "It is tasteful, romantic and saucy. Unlike what you just endured." She snickered. "But still, books are never portrayed quite as accurate… or as enjoyable…"
"Uh, thanks." He placed the book down. "I don't think these novels…. Well, let's just say I'll stick to a good old fashioned adventure novel, any day."
"Typical male." Leliana chuckled as she took a seat beside her friend. "How did Alistair go with meeting his sister?"
"Not what he hoped for." Dorian sighed and leaned forward on the table. "She… well, let's just say she wasn't very 'sisterly'."
"I am sorry to hear that." Leliana shook her head. "How is he taking it?"
"I can't honestly say I know." Dorian shook his head. "Not that I helped matters much. Pretty much called him an idiot for wanting to be loved… Like the bloody bastard I am."
"Why did you do that?" she frowned. "That doesn't seem at all like you."
"I pretty much told him never to trust anyone, because everyone only cares about themselves. That he shouldn't be so keen to help others out, when not everyone will do the same…" he sighed and with one hand pinched the bridge of his nose.
Leliana sat silently for a moment. Her eyes would wander from Dorian to the table as she registered what he said. Dorian watched her from the corner of his eyes, he was certain he knew what she was thinking.
"Do… do you honestly think that?" she finally said.
"Sometimes, yeah."
"Do you think that way… about me?" Her eyes hardened. "That I shouldn't be trusted… I understand if you do… after everything that happened."
Dorian pulled his chair forward so his hands could meet with hers. She attempted to pull away, but eventually his grip got the better of her. He tried to smile reassuringly to her.
"No, I do not think I shouldn't trust you. I have always trusted you." He stroked her clenched knuckles. "I thought you would have realized this by now."
"I thought that might have changed… after today." She looked away. "After everything Marjolaine said."
"Funny, when I said no one should be trusted, you were not who came to mind. I thought about people like… like Marjolaine. And people like me."
"You?" she snapped her head to meet with his gaze. "What about you?"
"I made you do something terrible today… I made you choose between who you were… and me." He pulled his hands away. "And as far as what she said about you and I, I wouldn't believe a woman who's every word was contradictory to the last."
"You didn't-" she tried to speak, but he cut her off.
"And how could I listen to her, she tried to have you killed. And bloody openly lied about it. I would be lying myself if for a second those words didn't sting, but I would never choose anyone over you."
"You didn't make me chose anything!" she finally snapped, pulling her hands free from his grip. Dorian very rarely heard the calm woman raise her voice. He looked to her with concern. "You didn't make me chose anything." She repeated, only calmer.
"But… you were going to let her go… and I intervened." He shook his head. "And now… you regret our actions, I know you do. I can see it in your eyes."
"I am fine…" she turned her head away from his eyes. "I made my own choice."
"Still-"
"I would rather not talk about this…"
"I think you should." He frowned.
"I said I am fine." She crossed her arms in protest.
"You are a poor liar." He tried not to grin.
"Am I now?" she raised an eyebrow, angered by his assumption. "A skilful bard, trained in the arts of deceit. How are you so certain you even know who I am exactly? How are you certain what she said isn't the truth? That I am not simply playing a game. I know you have wondered if what I say is true, I can tell."
He shook he head in near anger, after all this time and she still questioned just how loyal he was to her. After all they had been through, and she still denied he even knew who she was.
"Unlike that woman, I will not claim I know you." He sighed finally. "I will learn from her mistakes. You are your own person, as I have seen. You are Leliana. A bard, a rogue, an archer, a warrior woman, a kind and gentle friend, a story teller, and a warm hearted woman. You are so much, it is hard to say one knows you entirely. Only you know who you are. You were the one who taught me this lesson." He smiled. "What I do know though… is how much I respect you."
"You…" she slumped back, speechless in defeat.
"Please, just… talk to me." He leaned forward. After a moment of staring at her hands, she finally looked up to meet his eyes.
"I can't get what happened out of my head…." She almost laughed at the stupidity of it all. "I had been in Lothering for years, and she still thought I was plotting against her."
She paused, as it all came waving back. All the hate, all the regret, all the wondering if she was still being watched. Turns out her suspicions had always been correct. She was never truly free.
"She didn't trust me, maybe she never did." She finally said. "She loved me when she could use me and control me, and when she could no longer do that… she wanted me dead." Her voice cracked.
Dorian wanted badly to reach out, to comfort her. Her face hardened with pain at all the memories. He dared not disturb her. Though he wanted to help, Leliana was not a woman who needed to be coddled. She was strong, stronger than anyone he had ever known.
She never deserved you, Leliana…
"It… it hurts, to realize that I never really knew her." Her eyes finally met his. "It's like you said, only you can know yourself."
"I am… I am sorry." He spoke, unsure of his words. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Stupid!
'Is there anything I can do to help?' you are an idiot!
This was all so new to him. He wasn't certain what he should do to comfort the woman he loved so very much. Suddenly, her cold eyes warmed, even if it was only slightly. A slight loving smile touched her lips.
"You are already helping so much by listening to me." Though Dorian was certain he was being hopeless, her words gave him some reassurance. "I knew she was ruthless, but I didn't know how far she could go. She was self-serving, cruel! She used people, then discarded them, but that is how she survived in the life she lead." Leliana went rigid with a sudden realization. "Wh-what if she's right? What if we're the same? I… I should have just stayed in the Chantry…"
Her words brought pain to Dorian. And also hate, hate towards a woman who though she was gone, was still bringing agony to Leliana. And now, she was taking away the only thing Leliana held dear and was certain of. Marjolaine was killing her faith, her peace.
"You said the Maker wanted you to leave." He shook he head, he would not allow her to throw away the only thing that gave her certainty. "He gave you the vision, a purpose."
"I could have been wrong about the Maker!" she threw her hands up in protest. "I… know you doubt me sometimes! Maybe, maybe you are right! Maybe…maybe I just tell myself he's there to console myself! To know there's someone out there watching over me, to know I'm not alone!"
"Hey!" he quickly and firmly grabbed her hands and held them tenderly. "You are not alone. Regardless of my faith, I do believe in you."
"But I was... I was alone, and desperate when I fled to Ferelden." She refused to meet his gaze. "I went to the only place I knew would take me! I forgot my life as a Bard when I was in the Cloister, I felt safe. I didn't have to watch my back all the time." She met his gaze with such pain and sorrow. "That's what made Marjolaine the way she is! Don't you see? It ruined her, it will ruin me too!"
"Don't say that…" he tried to soothe as she grew more and more upset with each passing word.
"It's already happened! Maker don't you see?" tears swelled in her eyes. "When I killed her I… I enjoyed it. Seeing her dead gave me satisfaction."
"Because of her you endured horrors no one should ever face!" Dorian frowned and shook his head furiously. "She took so much from you, and it still wasn't enough. She would have killed you, Leliana."
"But that is no reason to rejoice over her death. That is what she would do." Her tears finally escaped. "I don't want that. What we're doing… what we've done… hunted men down, killed them. Part of me, loves it. It invigorates me, and this scares me… I feel myself slipping…" the desperation in her voice was breaking Dorian. He felt the bitter emptiness he felt upon her silence return, hearing her broken and heavy sobs was killing him.
"No." he shook his head. "You are a good person, Leliana, do you hear me. How many times must you hear this, before you truly believe it?"
"How can you be so sure?" she sniffled desperately. "Maybe I question myself, because I know it is a lie. All of it. You said so yourself… people are only out to help themselves."
"I was an idiot to say that." He shook his head. "I was angry, confused. Not everyone is like that, you and Alistair have taught me this."
"Maybe… we are all wrong." She breathed heavily as her tears got the better of her.
He stopped for a moment, trying to think of something that would put her mind at ease.
"Evil…" he finally said. "Doesn't worry about not being good…" he gently smiled at her. "You, taught me that."
She paused, her mouth moved as she tried to think of a defence argument. Her eyes wandered from his to fall on the still prominent mark carved proudly above his eye. A scar, which carried his ultimate lesson. The world could be cruel and unkind, but he didn't have to be that way. He continued to smile, she knew exactly what he was trying to say. It was her own reassuring words that taught him of the goodness he held buried within his own heart.
"How can you question who you are, when the kindness in your heart has touched so many." He pulled her hands up to touch his scar. "Whether you are a sister of the Chantry, or a clever Bard of Orlais, you are still a good person. I know this much."
"That…" her shoulders lowered in assumed defeat. "I guess what you say is true…"
"Devilishly handsome, great hair, and a wise man… aren't I the catch." He winked playfully, hoping to lighten the mood. She chuckled as she released her hand and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Maker, I truly have corrupted you." She smiled. "I can always trust you to show me things from a different perspective… Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He kissed the remaining hand he claimed.
"I-I would like to be alone for now." She sighed as her breathing steadied. "I have many things to consider. Thank you, for listening to me."
Dorian, after spotting the Tranquil shop keep had returned, decided he would be the one to leave. He stood up, and gently planted a kiss on Leliana's forehead. He nearly chuckled at how easy the contact had become, he didn't need to consider it anymore, it felt so natural.
"Any time." He smiled down at her. "Before I go, I have to give you something…" he hesitated, could this only add to her stress.
"What is it?" she looked up.
Dorian headed around the table to where he placed his pack and the bow. Cautiously, he picked it up and lifted it into her view. Her eyes visibly grew wider.
"Where… where did you get that?" she gasped as he handed it to her.
"Zevran found it when he was… well, he found it in a chest." Dorian watched with worry as Leliana studied the magnificent bow. "He speculated it belonged to you… I noticed the letter… I recognised it as your own hand." He rubbed his neck, silently praying his actions would be taken with kindness.
"You… you were both correct." Leliana seemed to stroke the bow. "This, was given to me as a child. Lady Cecilie gave it to me, when I was very little. I had taken such care of it, accept for this little mark." She chuckled as she pointed to the initial. "It was so dear to me, I wanted the world to know it was mine. Cecilie scolded me for not having it professionally marked…"
"How did Marj-err…how did you lose its possession?" Dorian leaned against the table.
"Marjolaine stole it from me, the day I was taken captive. So many years… I had completely forgotten about it. I wonder why she kept it…" her eyes grew heavy with thought.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to cause you more grief." Dorian cursed his insensitivity and timing.
"No, don't be." She shook her head. "Thank you, thank you for returning it to me."
"Don't mention it." He smiled slightly.
With one final longing glance, he turned and headed towards the Tranquil man who stood to attention by the counter. Anyone else would have felt rather off put by the show Leliana and Dorian made, but luckily Tranquil have no worries towards such acts.
"I have gathered everything you need." He said in his bland tone. "Some of the roots you requested were hard to acquire. Sadly, they are rare and not common to come by. But, I found some in my stocks, regardless."
"Thank you." He humbly nodded. "Here is something extra, to help restock the shelves."
Dorian handed over a seemingly large coin purse, far too much for simple roots and herbs. But, he was beyond grateful to finally have the ingredients he needed. At long last, he would be able to create the salve for everyone's armour. He was beyond curious over its ability when he read it in Avernus's journal. A way to protect one's self from darkspawn taint, such a thing was unheard of.
"You are too kind." The mans glazed over eyes fell on the coin purse on the counter. "I hope your potion or salve is a success."
Dorian stared wide eyed at the man. So it was obvious to him that Dorian was a mage. Would this become a problem, he wondered. As if sensing his distress, the shop keep looked up.
"Do not worry, I am a shop owner. Business is business." He said, then turned to leave. "Thank you, feel free to come again."
Dorian stared after the Tranquil. How very, extremely, odd. But, not a man to look a gift horse in the mouth, he decided he would take his supplies and leave. And quickly. As he headed for the door, he turned his head and noticed Leliana still remained at the table. Her head bowed, in what he assumed was a prayer. Her bow laid out before her. He sighed, hopefully she would feel somewhat at ease now.
It doesn't matter who she was, or at least who she thinks she was. All I know… is she has a great heart. Just like Alistair… which reminds me…
He sighed, that was someone he needed to go find. He definitely needed to apologise for being a large ass. Hopefully the others had gathered at the tavern. He stepped outside the door and listened to the friendly chime ring beside his head. As he entered the busy street, a rather unfriendly noise reached his notice.
He could hear shouting coming from near a small vendor. Curious, Dorian looked over to the small gathering of angry shoppers. No guards had intervened, instead a rather large and stoic man stood the centre of the rabble…
Oh sweet Maker's disciples!
Dorian ran at full speed towards the crowd. This, was no doubt going to be eventful. As if his day wasn't insane enough.
"Parshaara woman. Your voice irritates me." Sten snorted down to the townspeople.
"You filthy oxmen!" she shouted back. "I should tell the Templars about you! Since the guards haven't the balls to come and deal with you themselves."
.shit.
Sten I will kill you!
Dorian tried to push through the curious mob. They all seemed either amused or intrigued by the performance before them. Sten began to chant something in his native tongue, Dorian no doubt assumed he was swearing at the middle-aged woman. Probably something very unpleasant.
"He's cursing me!" she screeched. "You all saw it! He is cursing at me!"
"You fat Qalaba, I am not a Saarebas." Sten shook his head at the stupidity.
"What did you call me you heathen!?"
"What seems to be the problem here?" Dorian finally squeezed past the curious onlookers. He instantly tried to mask his concern with his usually friendly demeanour.
"That…. That… horned demon stole from my child!" the woman huffed. "I demand retribution!"
"He… what?" Dorian looked to Sten with a face that clearly shouted 'What the Void?'
"He did!" she nodded, lips pouted. "My poor little baby came running up to me in tears, said some bison stole his sweets!"
"Sweets?" one of the crowd members shouted. "You're screaming bloody murder over some bloody sweets? You know that oxman could rip your spine out and beat the rest of us with it, for looking at him funny-like?"
Vivid image…
"My friend is not a thief." Dorian reassured. "And, he isn't the violent sort." He lied. "He would never do something so ghastly."
"It sounds like an interesting notion." Sten almost smirked at the idea. Dorian shot him a look which this time translated as 'Shut up!'
"Are you calling me a liar?" the woman pointed up to the somewhat sweating mage. Dorian looked over towards the Chantry and noticed several Templars were growing curious with the sight. This needed to end, and fast.
"No madam, I am most certainly not." He bowed humbly. He cringed, if the others saw this he would never hear the end of it. "What I am merely stating, is who is to say my companion here took them? I have seen a few other Qunari around these parts, shifty mercenary types as well. Unlike my friend here, who is a humble merchant."
"I am not." Sten growled.
"I saw him leave the scene of the crime!" the woman protested. "I saw him eat them as well."
"Sten, is this true?" the mage turned to his friend, certain they would die, over baked goods.
"Yes. Her child was fat, I was saving it from death."
Damn you and your bluntness Sten!
The woman looked near ready to burst a blood vessel. Dorian wasn't a man for lying, in fact he detested the idea, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Forgive him madam, this is his second language." He lied shamelessly. "What he means is… he suspected them to be poisoned, and was therefore saving your child by eating them himself."
"That is not what I meant at all." The Qunari shook his head. "Her spawn was fat, as she is. I was saving him, but not from poisoned food."
"Sten, shut up." Dorian hissed to the Qunari, all the while fishing out some coins. "Here madam, to buy some new ones, and a little for yourself."
"I will not be bribed! I expect retribution!" the woman still pocketed the coins.
"Lady, you are insane!" another member of the audience near laughed. "Just shut up and move along. Your little shit of a kid causes more trouble than he's worth. Leave these good travellers alone."
Dorian looked over to notice the intervention was made by a dwarf, he wore an apron and carried a small sword sheathed to his side. He didn't look like a traveller, nor a merchant.
"How dare you, you filthy little dirt dweller!"
The crowd began to disband, apparently they grew either bored or weary with the woman's rants.
"These travellers have given this town more profit within their short visit then you and your family have done in months! In fact, I caught your child stealing from my stall just this morning. Should I report that to the guards?"
The woman glared down to the dwarf, then mumbled some hateful comment and took her leave. But not before casting a nasty glance at Dorian and Sten.
"Thank you for that." Dorian let out a breath of relief as he turned to his saviour.
"Don't mention it." The dwarf chuckled. "Any friend of Bodan is a friend of old Gorim. Come by my stall anytime friend, you and your party are welcome. Alright folks, shows over." With that, Dorian stood rather shocked and exhausted with the seemingly bored Sten.
"Why did you pay her money?" the Qunari finally asked
"So you didn't get locked in a blighted cage again you insane Qunari!" Dorian near lit on fire with pent up frustration. Sten grunted a reply then turned to leave. "You're welcome, by the way! Blighted stubborn…"
Dorian groaned and rubbed his forehead rather viciously as he felt the day's events crash down on him. Dorian had never partaken a drink before, but Maker, after this day he would have gladly drunken a barrel of ale.
"Anyone else want to harass me?" he challenged the universe. "Actually, no. Don't answer that." He almost laughed to himself.
A/N:
Not entirely satisfied with this chapter. I had fun writing it, what with all my cheesy humour. But, I dunno. Please PM me if you think of ways to improve it. Thanks :D