Chapter 21: Song in the Dark
9:31 Dragon Age: Warden Camp: the road back to Redcliffe
Once again, the wardens and their allies settled in for the night. The remains of their dinner cleared away. Oghren snored loudly, having passed out by his tent. Kalli and Wynne cleaned up what few dishes they had, saying nothing to each other, just passing the time in a comfortable silence. Shale stood watch along with Koran. The golem would occasionally glare at the dog, warning him what would happen if he lifted his leg anywhere near here. Morrigan retreated to her tent away from the others; she sat by her small fire reading the grimoire she had liberated from her late mother's hut. Sten sat near his tent, sharpening and oiling Asala. The Qunari blade once again shone with the blue light he remembered, its weight and sharpness a part of him, almost as if it had been a part of him when he came into this world. The Qunari's manner had turned thoughtful, his eyes distant, the last strains of the Leliana's beautiful song still vibrating in his ears.
The old elven song had touched many in the group; after all they had been through these last few months beauty was rare and hard to find.
As for the bard herself, she had sat next to the fire once she had finished her impromptu performance, finding shelter beside Alistair who put his arm around her. Slowly, tenderly, he began kissing her ear and forehead. She responded to his affection, cupping his face in her hands and returning those kisses. Soon she was in his lap kissing her deeply, she groaned at his warm and gentle touch, with a happy sigh, she took him by the hand and led him back to their tent.
They would continue to express their affections for each other in there.
Zevran was…away from the others. Not far enough away that he would be in danger if he was attacked, just enough to find a little solitude.
He…needed to think.
Their last night with the Dalish replayed over and over in his head. Lanaya being named first, then swearing her allegiance to the grey wardens, fulfilling their final treaty, with that done, now the group would return to Redcliffe, to speak with Arl Eamon, and prepare for the gathering of nobles he had discussed with them before they had left the last time. They would shortly thereafter, return to Denerim in force, to try to sway the nobles to remove Loghain from power.
It would not be easy, he recognized, he had only met Loghain once, but the man's cold eyes did not suggest that he surrendered easily.
Zevran's mouth pursed into a grim line, if they failed they would all likely be executed for treason. It would be the death he had long sought, but it was highly likely that Kalli would be at his side when they fell.
He did not want that. He had no desire to see Kalli die, or harmed in anyway.
But you are going to harm her, you know that.
I will die for what I have done.
She will not understand, she will be in pain and it will be all your fault!
She is better off without me.
She will not see it that way.
This is what must be done.
Why?
I need to do this.
Why?
"Because it is what I deserve!"
He froze; he had been so lost in his musings that he had all but shouted the last part. He glanced around quickly to see if any of the others had noticed.
He clenched his hands in impotent rage. He…he did deserve this…for what happened to Rinna he deserved to die. That was his whole reason for agreeing to this contract.
Is death the only atonement you can find?
He shook his head.
It is the way of the crows, he reminded himself.
But you are not a crow any longer.
Does Rinna not deserve justice?
Rinna knew what it meant to be a crow. She knew that death is always the final reward; there are so few old assassins. If the situation was reversed, would she have done any less than what you did?
Rinna wasn't like that.
She was a crow. Death to those that betray the order, she knew those words too.
She would not have…
He found himself unable to think, the scene of Rinna's death played over in his mind. Rinna knew what it meant to be a crow. If she and Taliesin had thought him a traitor, would they have done anything different? Rinna likely would have been more subtle perhaps, poison in his food, or poured into his ear after their lovemaking…
He let out a shuddering breath.
Rinna was a crow; she had ended many lives in the service of the order.
Would she not have done what the order had trained and drilled her for?
Death to all traitors.
He did not want to think of Rinna having to make the choice, of deciding that he needed to die so that she could live. Taliesin, that was different, Taliesin knew what he needed to do to keep his head.
Would she have done any less, he thought, and…and would she…be feeling the way that I am now?
Rinna.
Her face once again floated like a specter before his eyes. He still remembered that gentle smile, the eyes that sparkled like cold justice.
If she felt the way that he felt now…he…he would not wish that, on her, or anyone else.
She had been different, not just another conquest to pass the time.
Much like Kalli?
That thought pulled him up short.
Exactly like Kalli.
He did not want to think like that. Kalli was his last conquest, one of his greatest, perhaps, but nothing more.
Then why do you continue to come to her bedroll?
Because she is becoming a real tigress between the sheets, he thought with a guilty smirk.
She is more than that to you, and you know it.
He sighed.
He let his mask fall away for a moment. Kalli was…more than what he had expected that was for sure. Beautiful, fierce, and determined, if anyone could defeat this Blight, it was her. She still saw herself as that gawky little thief from Denerim though. She simply did not grasp what a rare thing she truly was.
"Zev?"
Her voice was small, as not to startle him, her cat-like tread had been undetectable, even in the wooded area in which they found themselves.
He fit his mask firmly back in place, put on his most insincere smile.
It was better that way.
IOI
Kalli slipped out of camp, away from the others, away from the moans and soft cries coming from Alistair and Leliana's tent, away from the disapproving look on Wynne's face.
Kalli did not understand that, was it so bad that Alistair and Leliana found some comfort with each other? Did her friend and brother not deserve a little release from the blood and death that always surrounded them?
She smiled slightly to herself.
Speaking of release, she could use a bit herself. She went looking for Zevran. He enjoyed helping her lay down her burdens.
She had come across him in the shadows. The look on his face, it was like none she had seen before.
He looked…so sad…and utterly alone.
It broke her heart.
Part of her wanted to go to him, wrap her arms around him and whisper that it would be alright, that she would do anything to make it alright.
What are you thinking? You can't honestly mean that?!
The warden swallowed hard.
Could she not?
She was terrified when she discovered that that was not an empty promise, that she would do just that.
In the few short months that they had known each other, her feelings for Zev had changed in the most exciting of ways. Never before had she felt this way for someone outside her family.
Part of her wondered if it would be better if she just left, forgot this ever happened.
She set her mouth into a grim line.
That would mean leaving poor Zev to suffer in silence.
She…she would not do that. She could not do that.
"Zev?" she murmured.
The assassin turned, he smiled, a smile that did not touch his eyes.
"Ah my dear warden," he purred, "What brings you out here on this fine evening?"
She let her cloak open, letting him see her, hoping that would lower his guard a bit.
He…he seemed so tense, like rabbit about to run from a wolf.
She tried to put him at ease. She smiled slyly.
"Got tired of listening to Leliana and Alistair," she said, "They are feeling more than a bit amorous tonight. I would tell them to find a room, but we're a little far from any tonight, and we would still probably hear them, even if they went back to Denerim."
Zev chuckled.
"They are not very subtle are they," he agreed, "Some men might take that as a challenge."
She tilted her head, giving him a come hither look; at least…she thought it was.
"Men like you?"
He turned away from her, his ears lowered slightly.
"Perhaps," he agreed.
Her ears lowered, she had hoped to cheer him with a little banter and innuendo, and instead she seemed to have done exactly the opposite.
Fuck, she thought, what am I supposed to do now?
Then…she had an idea.
She walked up to him and took his hand.
"Come with me,' she asked.
He gave her an arched look.
"So forward my dear," he smiled.
She blushed slightly, but still skewered him with a glare.
"Not that," she growled, "Just come with me."
He followed in her wake.
They returned to camp, ignoring Leliana crying out as she and Alistair found their mutual pleasure. Kalli rolled her eyes and pushed on.
She stopped before her tent.
"Wait here," she ordered.
Zev nodded.
She slipped inside finding the package she had gotten from Master Varathorn. It had not been an easy purchase, she had needed to wait until Zev was asleep, lifting his gloves from his armor.
She had wanted her gift sized perfect. The Dalish craft master had been more than happy to oblige after what she had done for them.
Smiling she emerged from the tent holding her prize out to him.
Zev looked down at the items in her hands. He chuckled.
"I expected something more…intimate, my dear."
She mock-glared at him.
"If you want that "something" again…you will at least take a look at what I have to offer."
He chuckled and raised his hands in surrender.
She was such an intense little minx, he found it very fetching.
He took the leathers from her hands.
His ears twitched with curiosity.
"Gloves," he purred, "You are giving me gloves, what for?"
She smiled broadly.
"They are Dalish gloves, like your mother's."
He paused.
"They…I…"
He brought them closer to the light; he ran his fingers over the soft leather, deer hide most likely, he touched the embroidery.
For the first time in a long time, a boyish smile came to his lips.
"Maker's breath," he murmured, "You…you are right, they are like my mother's, the leather is a little thicker here, and the embroidery is a little different, but they…they are quite similar, and quite handsome."
She beamed.
"I'm glad you like them," she cooed.
His expression turned thoughtful.
"I do…I…"
The warmth on his face warmed her entire body; she resisted the urge to shiver.
Maker…how could he do that? One glance and she started to melt?
It was not normal.
"You look surprised," she commented.
"Do I, well…I suppose that I am," he admitted, "No one has ever just…given me a gift before."
"There was the boots," she reminded him.
"True, but I had also just aided you in the gauntlet, I…I assumed those were a reward for my work, but this…"
He smiled broadly, his eyes sparkling.
"This…this was truly…nice…thank you my dear warden."
"My pleasure," she purred, her voice turning huskier.
She could not help it anymore.
He just…just…oh fuck it!
She leaned in, pressing her lips to his.
He did not respond at first, but then it was like flipping a switch.
He seized her, his arms came around her neck and lower back, pulling her to him passionately.
They kissed deeply, making her head whirl.
She felt his right hand travel down and squeeze her bottom she groaned…
Oh Maker, how did he do this?
How did he make her want him with the barest touch?
She leaned in licking his right ear. He pulled her back and kissed her fiercely again.
"Heh, I hope you to have learned to breathe through your ears."
The harsh voice broke the spell, both elves turned to the drunken dwarf sitting up and leering at them.
"Is it rutting season again," Oghren chortled.
Kalli rolled her eyes, and took Zev by the hand.
"Come," she murmured ignoring the dwarf, "The rest of your gift is waiting in our tent."
"Will I like it?" Zev said with a wicked smirk.
Kalli grinned back.
"I don't think you will have any complaints."
"Ha! Don't do anything ole' Oghren wouldn't do you two," the dwarf called after them with a loud belch, before falling over passed out again.
He was forgotten as soon as they entered the tent, their minds were occupied, their hands and tongues were too busy to give the dwarf a second glance.
Soon they were naked; Zev on top of her, Kalli whimpered and yipped as he once again showed her his great skill….
…Skills at making her hot…
…Making her want him…
…Making her love him.
He would not feel any more pain or loneliness tonight.
She would make sure of that.