Chapter 21

Morning

The first rays of the morning sun kissed Bethany's face, its warmth bringing her back from the fade. Sunrise, maker how she had missed it, for seven years she had been housed in the north tower of the Gallows. The morning sun never reaching her eyes, back then the simple task of survival had been enough, now…

Now I have other concerns don't I, just not right now.

She could hear birds singing merrily outside the window, as the sounds of the village also entered her mind. Life began for yet another day in Harper's Ford.

She snuggled deeper into the sheets of the "oh so" comfortable bed, they were so soft, and they smelled wonderful, a blend of leather and the sea. It was one of things she still missed about Kirkwall. That smell, the salty smell of the sea during the summer months had often comforted her in her darkest days in the Gallows.

She realized that she should get up, at least before Merrill and Serene kicked her to wake her up. Of course they would likely be kinder than Justin, he might…

Um wait a moment.

Bethany did not really remember going to bed last night. Plus, Ser Bradley and Merrill had both agreed to stay and keep watch over Serene, and if they were not here then…

Oh Maker!

"Good Morning." A male voice said warmly.

Bethany sat up, and immediately wished she hadn't, a headache exploded into full screaming life. She moaned as she put a hand to her head. She guessed this was what a hangover felt like, her first to be honest.

It was then that she began to notice the little details about her surroundings. First she was in Justin's room, laying in his bed. Second, Justin was standing before a small mirror shaving the stubble from his face. Third, he was naked from the waist up, water dripping tantalizingly down his bare back making her mouth go dry and her stomach flutter, and forth and most important she was in her small clothes wearing only one of his shirts as a nightgown, and poorly buttoned from which she could see, at least she knew where that lovely sea smell had originated.

Oh Maker, what did I do last night.

Justin paused to consider his work in the mirror, finding it satisfactory he turned to face her. He sat a glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed.

She pulled her bare legs up to her chest self-consciously, pulling a blanket over them. She racked her brain trying to remember what had happened last night. For his part Justin was being respectful not staring at her too much.

Thank goodness.

Finally she worked up some courage, "um Justin?"

"Yes Betts," said sitting down in the chair next to the bed.

"Um… uh, we…"

"Yes?" he asked quizzically.

"We didn't …um…you know."

"What!" the warden's eyes widened, his mind finally making the connection, "Oh no. No Betts we didn't you know. I'm sorry. You don't think I would...take advantage…I wouldn't I swear!"

Bethany fought a sigh of relief, for the moment there she thought she had made a very big mistake.

"You were pretty drunk last night," he babbled, his cheeks the color of fresh apples, "I…well I…probably should have warned you how that honey mead can sneak up on you. Well when it came time for bed you asked if you could stay here not wanting to disturb Serene and all. So I brought you up here, you asked to borrow a shirt, and I helped you get ready for bed, but I was a perfect gentleman I assure you. I kept these," he said wiggling his hands, "To myself."

"That's… good," she said trying very hard not to gawk at his bare chest, color filling her cheeks, Maker the others are going to think I am such a tart. Stop staring damn you just stop.

Justin shifted uncomfortably, walking over to his pack to dig out another shirt. Bethany's head and her body were at war. She felt a surge of …disappointment when Justin put a new shirt over his head. It was strange, the night she had patched his shoulder, she did not remember him looking like that. He was so big and…She knew she should look away but…

Maker what is wrong with me. I'm not usually like this.

A knock at the door caused Bethany to squeal in panic and dive beneath the covers.

"Please don't tell anyone I'm here." She whispered.

"Okay," he answered in a quiet voice, pausing to cover one cream colored leg that had become uncovered when she dove for cover.

"Thank you," she murmured from beneath the covers.

Justin rose and went to the door. Bethany could hear Merrill giving him a full report of her night watching Serene. The elven bard had slept heavy pretty much all night, and had only awakened a few minutes ago. Ser Bradley was watching her now. Wren had stopped by to check on her just before sun up and was now downstairs. Colo had been up all night and was likely going to try to catch a quick nap. She did not know where Bethany was.

Justin assured the nervous Dalish that Bethany was quite safe, and that she had left to get some supplies early this morning. He promised he would track her down and they would be down for breakfast shortly, after he talked to Serene of course.

Merrill nodded and headed down to join Wren in the tavern. Sighing Justin turned to the bed and its hiding occupant.

"I'll give you time to get dressed, before letting Colo come up. You should probably slip out the back and come in from the front. We don't want the other talking yes?"

"Uh huh,"

Her hand emerged from beneath the covers, she held it out to seal the deal, but once again Justin surprised her. Rather than shaking it, he chastely kissed her knuckle, sending a wave of excitement up her arm. Oh Maker.

"See you downstairs," he murmured.

She heard the door open and close, she found herself looking at the offending hand. Why did he do that? It made no sense…unless.

Bethany did not like "unless." She tried to bring Sebastian's handsome face to her mind, but she found that it kept turning into the face of a certain Grey Warden.

"Oh My." She murmured a hint of a smile playing across her lips.

She was in serious trouble.

IOI

Justin had done nothing wrong. He had offered his bed to his best friend's sister for the night nothing more, and had even supplied her with a proper night shirt. Anyone else might have taken advantage of the situation, but not him. Malcolm's daughter was safe and sound under his care. He had been a perfect gentleman.

Okay maybe not a perfect gentleman.

Bethany he had discovered was a very friendly drunk. She had giggled the entire way up to his room, and had almost fallen twice; he of course had caught her both times. The second time she had ended up with her arms around his neck, her head pressed against his shoulder.

"MMM," she had murmured happily, "you smell soooo nice."

Maker she was making this so hard…difficult…I mean difficult!

He did not think she was teasing him like this on purpose. Bethany never seemed the type.

When it came time to help he into bed that had been another challenge, he had only barely been able to contain his arousal as she stripped off her robes and slipped into one of his old shirts. He had tried to keep his hands from getting too personal, but her skin was just so soft, and her breath so warm against his neck.

The beast had purred the entire time, Torrik had warned him about this too. A berserker's feelings were always close to the surface, so when you were enraged there was no limit to the damage you could cause, but if you were aroused…

Desire without fear or doubt, he had managed to contain it barely. Fortunately Bethany herself had given him something else to focus on besides how much he had wanted her, or rather the Templars had.

He had caught a glimpse of her bare back, and the scars that had been left there. The welts were well healed, but it was clear that someone had made sure no healing magic could be used.

Blighted Templars.

Justin found himself standing in front of Serene's room, he promised himself he would not take out what he had seen on Ser Bradley. Bethany had told him that Bradley had never hurt her and he believed her.

That is when he heard the moaning.

Funny Merrill had said Serene was awake.

"Ohhhh Bradley." An Orlesian voice groaned from behind the door.

Justin rolled his eyes, Maker help us all.

Justin pounded loudly on the door, "Serene," he called sweetly.

The sound of Orlesian curses and armored feet hitting the floor brought an amused smile to the young warden's face. Okay that was mean, but Justin was just in that kind of mood right now.

The door opened, Ser Bradley left excusing himself quickly. Apparently Justin had come along before things could get really interesting. He sauntered into the room, Serene was sitting up in bed glaring daggers at him, he ignored the bite marks on her neck and shoulders. Guess the Templar wanted Elf, Orlesian style for breakfast. He thought about mentioning that, but held his tongue. What she did with the Templar was her business.

"I hate you right now ser." The elf said pouting.

"With good reason I should think," he shrugged.

The elf's glare became even colder, if that was even possible.

"I take it you are feeling better?" he asked.

The elf fidgeted," I…I feel… different," she admitted, "my skin feels warmer, and there is this buzzing in the back of my head. Is that normal?"

Justin nodded, it was a feeling he knew well.

"I…can't believe I'm alive," the bard admitted, "after everything you said about the joining. I thought I was a goner."

"You would not have been chosen if Stroud had not thought you would survive sister."

"I'm just so grateful to be alive right now." She hugged her arms a single joyful tear rolling down her cheek, "When I woke up and saw Bradley I," Serene blushed, "I wanted to share just how grateful I was…Do you know what that it like?"

Justin nodded.

The elf was in for some dark days ahead, but she had people looking out for her. Justin hoped she was ready to face the challenges all grey wardens faced.

"Take some time," he ordered, "We're going to have some breakfast and meet back here to discuss strategy."

"We have a target?" she asked.

"Yes," he said giving her a wolfish grin, "Not as soft as I would have preferred, but it will get the Templar's attention. You game?"

"Always Ser." She said smiling cruelly.

"Then there is one last part to your joining," Justin said holding out a small crystalline pendant to the elf.

She regarded it curiously, the strange necklace made her newly tainted blood hum.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A reminder of all those who never made it this far," He said solemnly, reaching into his shirt he pulled out one of his own.

Nodding the elf put it around her neck.

"Welcome to the Grey Wardens Serene." Justin said placing a brotherly hand on her shoulder.

IOI

Wren had staggered into the Ogre's Fall just before sun up. Any good mood he had experienced the night before was gone. The bar maid had been pretty, and very accommodating. It had been a lovely evening, and once their pleasures had been sated the girl had left him to sleep in peace.

AS his spirit entered the fade, he found himself in Llomerryn. Isabela had been waiting for him, this was the day he convinced her to share a picnic with him. It had been one of the last happy times before he had ruined it by proposing. He intended to enjoy this dream to the fullest, just as he had enjoyed the real thing.

The dream had just been getting to the good part when he felt the presence of another. Usually his night time world was closed off to others. He was powerful enough to block the entrance of random demons, but this was no random demon.

His mother had wanted to talk.

He felt his spirit be yanked painfully into the raw fade, and there she was; her armored form had not changed since he had last seen her in Llomerryn, he was just about to complain about her treatment of him when her clawed fingers wrapped around his throat.

"Hello dear boy," she sneered, "I wonder do you enjoy disappointing me."

Wren had tried to explain, but she tightened her grip around his neck, spots danced before his eyes.

"Mother please." He croaked.

Her cold gaze fell on him. He wondered if this was it, would she decide that his time was done, but then just as it had begun, he could breathe again.

"What have I done now." He coughed, "I tracked down Justin again just like you asked, and now we have saved the woman. What more do you want?"

"Oh I want many things dear boy," she answered smirking, "like children who will do what there told. I did not want the missionary's son anywhere near the Templar, and now you and these others try to draw him here. Why?"

"I tried to get him to come back to the sea, but he is obsessed, what am I supposed to do now?"

"I suppose you must now live with your mistake," she shrugged, "You must now stay with him and make sure that he succeeds."

"Is that all?" he quipped.

Her gauntlet struck him across the jaw, making it click; he glared hatefully at the old crone.

"So much like your sister," she hissed, "never listening when mother tries to teach you a valuable lesson."

"How is dear sister? Have you found her yet and the boy?"

His Mother sneered, "They don't matter now. Whatever happens, you will keep your friend safe, the girl too if you can manage it."

"What of the others?" he asked.

"Sacrifices are always needed dear boy," Mother said with a shrug.

Wren's smile turned cruel, almost as cruel as hers. He knew one Templar he would not mind sacrificing.

He felt himself falling, and woke in the bed he shared with the barmaid earlier that evening.

He rose and went to the vanity mirror in the corner. His throat was bruised as was his jaw.

Thank you Mother he thought to himself.

He shook his head, regarding the face he saw in the mirror. The older he got the more he looked like that vicious old bitch. For about the hundredth time in his life he thought about plucking the medallion she had given him so long ago off. Let her try to find him without her little trinket.

But then you shall never gain access to all my powers boy. Think about that.

He cursed under his breath, damn you Mother.

He readied himself the best he could; it would not do if his friends asked too many questions about his injuries.

One day he would be out from her thumb, one day.

It is with that thought that Wren, the son of Flemeth went back out into the world again.

IOI

It was after breakfast when the group had assembled, a map of Ferelden was spread out before them on the room's sole table. Justin looked at his allies, they seemed ready. Bethany was still a little uncomfortable with him after last night, but he hoped that that would pass with time. Merrill and Colo sat in the corner conferring quietly together. Bradley and Serene sat to together pretending not to be a couple, they were barely touching, but it was clear they had crossed a threshold. Wren leaned against the back wall, his night with the barmaid had taken more out of him than Justin would have expected.

"Friends," he began, "we have reached the point that our real work is about to begin. From this point on, we become the hunters. The Commander of the Grey here in Ferelden has identified several target of opportunity for us. The plan is simple, we journey to these places, and cause as many problems for Delance as we can. Eventually he will have to come himself to deal with us. We draw him away from his center of power, and in a place of our choosing we deal with him permanently."

"So where do we go first Captain?" Wren asked.

"Here," he said driving a dagger in to the map of Ferelden sitting on the desk.

They all regarded the map; looks of surprise and curiosity were drawn to the tip of the blade.

It was a most treacherous destination. Compared to the blightlands this place would be far more dangerous. Many a plot had ensnared the city on the map. They would have to be cautious if they were to survive.

They had found their first target.

Orzammar.