Serene was happily helping Alistair pack up his things as Leliana and Wynne made breakfast. Sten hardly acknowledged the two wardens as they returned to camp with water. Serene placed a basin down for Fawkes to have some water since his owner was apparent indisposed at the moment. Leliana nudged Wynne and directed the mage to look over at the two wardens as Serene pushed Alistair over for something random, but both were smiling.
"I told you." Leliana said. Wynne smiled and nodded. Though she didn't quite approve of the two warden's relationship, it did seem to keep them in high spirits during this time of darkness. She would have to have a talk with Serene at some point. Alistair was a sweet and overly caring boy that would break easily. Wynne could mend anything but a broken heart.
"I don't know which of the two of you is the bigger idiot? Alistair for teaching Brandon to be a templar or Serene for making Alistair do so." Morrigan snapped as she stood above the two wardens, who had just stopped playfully fighting over something. Serene gave Morrigan an innocent look and Alistair buried his face in her shoulder.
"Why Morrigan, you didn't seem to be very displeased with his training last night when he came to your tent." Serene said sweetly. Morrigan frowned.
"What do you know of what he did?" Morrigan snapped back. Serene shrugged.
"Leliana and I were making a round and we heard something odd from your little area and may have overheard you draining Brandon of something." Serene said with a slight hint in her voice. Alistair tried desperately not to laugh. Morrigan's face turned slightly pink as she realized what Serene was getting at.
"You and that nosey bard need to keep to your own vices." Morrigan snapped back.
"We just wanted to make sure you didn't set Brandon aflame again. From what I heard, he returned the favor." Serene said devilishly. Morrigan turned bright red.
"Perhaps I should set you aflame in your sleep." Morrigan snapped. Serene shook her head.
"Before Brandon drains you of your mana or after the two of you wear each other out?" Serene snapped back. Morrigan stepped back away from Serene for a moment. There was more going on than Morrigan thought as she took in Alistair posture around Serene. Morrigan hadn't bothered to notice that the two wardens had become so close since she accompanied Brandon to the tower.
Brandon had spent a great deal of time bugging Morrigan during their trip away from the others, trying to get to know her better. At the time, Morrigan assumed that he was just looking for a placeholder to keep him warm while he was away from Serene. The previous night's events with the dark haired man had confused her beyond belief. How could man completely infatuated with another woman pursue another. As she took in the sight of Alistair and Serene, limps tangled together from wrestling, she realized that Brandon's training was merely a distraction from what was very clear to see if one had some ounce of intelligence.
"Good morning, Brandon." Leliana called from the fire as she saw the warden's tent flap move. Serene and Alistair quickly untangled themselves from each other and Alistair went to help Leliana. Serene stood up and looked at Morrigan questionably.
"Twould seem we have things to discuss, Warden. Another time when a chance to be alone without the males perhaps?" Morrigan said quietly. Serene nodded.
"Of course." Serene answered. Morrigan nodded and headed back to her tent to pack it up. Brandon sleepily pulled himself out of his tent and managed to pull his armor on. He made his way to the fire and accepted the porridge that Leliana offered him.
"Rough night?" Alistair asked as he sat next to Brandon. Brandon sighed and nodded.
"I think I might have pulled a few muscles. Perhaps you could help me, Wynne?" Brandon asked as he looked over at the elderly mage with an innocent look. Wynne snorted and sighed.
"I could have made it to where it wouldn't hurt so much in the morning if you hadn't stormed off last night." Wynne said. She walked over to the dark haired man and casted a rejuvenation spell on him. Leliana lend over to Serene.
"I highly doubt his strains were from his training with Alistair, no?" Leliana whispered. Serene couldn't help but laugh loudly, which caused most of the camp to look at her questionably and Alistair and Leliana joined her. Wynne took her seat next to Leliana after she was done casting.
"Well now that everyone is up and moving around, mostly, we'd better pack up and get going. We should make it to Denerim tomorrow, right?" Serene announced and looked over at her fellow wardens. Brandon nodded.
"We could make it tonight if we pushed our pace a bit. I, for one, wouldn't mind sleeping in a real bed tonight." Brandon said. Serene looked over at Leliana and the two started to laugh. Alistair shook his head, but was glad that someone else was being teased besides him. Morrigan glowered at the back of Brandon's head as he went to pack up his tent. Serene sighed and looked over at Alistair.
"Get everything packed up and head out. Morrigan and I will catch up in a bit." Serene said as she quickly shot a look at Brandon to see if his back was turned and pulled Alistair into a quick kiss.
"I'll only do so in hopes to get another one of those." Alistair whispered. Morrigan scoffed at the sickening display between the two wardens and shook her head. Serene smiled at Alistair and winked as she stood up. She turned to face Morrigan.
"Are you all packed up? I think now might be a good time to talk." Serene said. Morrigan nodded and followed Serene away from camp. Brandon joined Alistair at the fire as the templar put out the flames.
"What's that all about I wonder?" Brandon asked, hoping that Morrigan wasn't about to brag to Serene about last night. He was quite impressed with himself with all the sounds he managed to get out of the witch's mouth, but he didn't want it getting back to Serene.
"Who knows what women do when there's no men around." Alistair said with a shrugged as he started to gather everything up. He tried not to gag thinking of Brandon touching Morrigan. The only way he would touch her was if it was to save her dead body from being tainted by darkspawn blood. She was a bitch, but she didn't deserve to be treated like dead darkspawn. Alistair had some kind of heart.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
"You wished to speak to me, Warden?" Morrigan asked once the two of them were far enough distance from the rest of the group. Serene nodded.
"I'm sure you have a concern about the events of last night. I'd prefer we keep this to ourselves for the moment." Serene said. Morrigan nodded.
"Twould be awful for Brandon to find out that his lovely warden was off sleeping with an idiot." Morrigan said snidely. Serene sighed and tried to keep a reign on her anger.
"First of all, neither one of them are idiots. I'll agree that they're slightly slow in some aspects, but not idiots. At least they don't have a good grasp on reality." Serene pointed out.
"And Brandon would be the one not seeing reality?" Morrigan asked. Serene nodded.
"I will admit, of all the men that have attempted to sleep with me, Brandon ranks higher than Calian. Though I think I'd rather sleep in the mud with Fawkes instead." Serene said. Morrigan frowned.
"He wasn't so bad in my opinion. He exceeded a few of my expectations of him." Morrigan pointed out. Serene put her fingers in her ears.
"LALALALA! I'm not listening." Serene said loudly. Morrigan crossed her arms across her chested and waited for Serene to stop. "I don't need to know what you and Brandon actually did. I'm sure you don't want to know what Alistair and I do that makes his face look like that in the morning."
"I merely thought that was how he was born." Morrigan said. Serene rolled her eyes.
"Are we done insulting the men so we can talk about this?"
"Twas something you brought up and not I, Warden."
"Fine, whatever. Point of the matter is, I'm sure you're curious as to why I had Alistair train Brandon only to have him turn his new trick on you."
"Twas quite bothersome at first, especially after his attempt to help me earlier. In the end, I rather enjoyed myself. Am I right in assuming that you have no interest in him then?"
"None whatsoever. Like I said, I'd rather lie down with Fawkes. No offense meant by that. I'm sure you'd feel the same way about Alistair."
"I'd rather lie down with darkspawn, if it weren't for the taint of course."
"So now that we both understand our own intentions, I'd appreciate it if certain things didn't repeat themselves to others?"
"Twould seem best that Brandon not know. He would toss me aside if he knew you and Alistair were sleeping together mere feet away."
"And I feel like that would just be an invitiation for more trouble. Feel free to knock him unconscious. I am seriously considering trading him for his sister, should she still be alive."
"Twould be a good plan, for you. I would not see it as such. I am rather curious about the warden now, almost as much as I am of you. I would like to interact with him more."
"Very well, Morrigan. Just keep your interacting down at night." Serene said with a slight laugh that made Morrigan blush.
"So are we done here?" Morrigan asked. Serene nodded.
"We are." Serene said.
"Very well then. Let us rejoin our group, lest they think something is wrong." Morrigan said. Serene nodded and the two women headed out to find the others.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
"So you told her about us?" Alistair whispered to Serene as he watched Brandon flirt with Morrigan. Serene nodded.
"I had to in order to keep the peace. Morrigan is rather curious about Brandon and if her curiosity keeps him out of my hair. More power to her." Serene said with a shrug. Alistair didn't even want to know what exactly caught Morrigan's curiosity, but decided it was for the best.
"Thank the Maker you're here. We need help. They attacked the wagon. Please come quickly." A woman cried as she ran up to the group. She turned and ran back the way she came and Brandon quickly followed after her. Since he had already gone after the woman, everyone else had to follow. Serene got an odd feeling though, her spidey senses weren't tingling like before. This was either something else or it was a trap.
They followed the woman to a clearing of sorts. There was a few large trees that had fallen around, and many places to hide. This whole thing smelled like a trap. Even more so when the woman approached a dark skinned, blonde haired elf. The elf eyed the group and placed a few coins in the woman's hands. He gave them an evil grin and made a gesture. Several dozen men came out of hiding around the clearing. This was definitely a trap and if that woman didn't make herself scarse, Serene was going to make sure the woman paid. A tree fell behind the group, cutting off an escape route.
"The grey wardens die here!" The blonde elf cried as he drew his daggers. He charged straight for Brandon as Alistair held his shield over him and Serene as arrows showered down on them.
"Get those archers down, now!" Serene ordered. Morrigan and Leliana nodded as they started to attack the standing archers who didn't take any cover again the bard's arrows and Morrigan's lightning bolts. Alistair charged into a group of sword wielding attackers with Sten and Fawkes on his heels. Serene zeroed in on the elf that was struggling to dominate Brandon.
Serene waited for the moment when Brandon managed to push the elf off of him before she charged in. She hit the elf in the chest with her shoulder and caused the two of them to roll off away from the main battle.
"Serene?" Brandon called. Serene managed to break away from the elf and got to her feet, as did the elf. The two locked gazes and circled around each other, looking for a weakness.
"Help the others." Serene called out to Brandon without taking her eyes off the elf.
"That was a mistake, my dear. You might be needing his help, no?" The elf asked, his voice accented thickly like it was Spanish. Serene rolled her eyes.
"Maybe it's your mistake for thinking I need help." Serene snapped as she went to attack the elf's right side, leaving her back open. The elf, for a split second went for the opening but turned around to block the dagger Serene had attempted to jab in his leg.
"I now see why someone would want someone as lovely as you dead." The elf purred in her ear as their blades met. Serene pushed hard against him and jumped back away from him. Was this how this world was? Everyman except for Sten was going to hit on her? She was definitely going to drink a few once they got to Denerim and take her frustration out on Alistair in a way he would enjoy.
"Shut up already." Serene snapped as she attempted to trick the elf again by going to his left. When the elf went to defend his right side, he felt the dagger going through his left side. Then suddenly everything went black for him. Serene straightened up as watched the elf lose consciousness. It was a good thing she betted that his cockiness would get the best of him. She quickly joined the others to find they had defeated the rest of the ambush.
"What was this all about?" Alistair asked. Serene shrugged and watched as Leliana looked over the bodies. Wynne was checking if any of the attackers were still alive.
"This one still lives." Wynne announced as she looked over the blonde elf Serene had been fighting. Serene rolled her eyes.
"Well he was a talkative one. Maybe he can tell us who would set up such a wonderful party for us." Serene said. She pushed the elf with her foot and got him to moan painfully. Wynne shot her a look and she shrugged in response.
"Oh, ugh. Oh, my. I rather thought I would wake up dead or rather not wake up at all as the case may be. But I see you haven't killed me yet." The elf managed to get out between moaning and groaning.
"I have some questions for you." Serene said.
"Ah, so I'm to be interrogated. Let me save you some time. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows brought here for the sole purpose of slaying any surviving gray wardens, which I have fail at, sadly." Zevran said plainly. Serene shifted her weight from foot to foot and gave him an odd look.
"I'm glad you failed or else you'd be eaten by darkspawn." Serene snapped. Zevran laughed.
"So would I be if I were in your shoes. For me, however, it sets a rather poor president doesn't it? Getting captured by a target seems a tad detrimental to ones assassination career." Zevran replied.
"Too bad for you then, huh?" Serene snapped.
"Yes, its true. Too bad for me." Zevran said sadly.
"So I'm guessing someone hired you. Who was it?" Serene asked. Zevran coughed and laughed.
"A woman who knows what she wants. I like that. It was a rather taciturn fellow in the capital, Loghain I think his name was. Yes that's it." Zevran said. Serene growled and fought the urge to grab him by the neck.
"So are you loyal to Loghain, will your death put a thorn in his side?" Serene asked.
"I have no idea what his issues are with you, the usual I imagine, you threaten his power, yes? Beyond that, no I am not loyal to him. I was contracted to perform a service." Zevran explained. Serene snorted.
"And now that you've failed at that service?"
"Well, that's between Loghain and the Crows and the Crows and myself."
"And between you and me?"
"Isn't that what we're establishing now?"
"When were you to see him next?
"I wasn't if I had succeeded. I would have returned home and the Crows would have informed your Loghain of the results, if he already didn't know. If I had failed, I would be dead or I should be at least as far as the Crows are concerned. No need to see Loghain again."
"Why are you telling me all of this?
"Why not? I wasn't paid for silence, not that I offered it."
"Aren't you at least loyal to your employer?"
"Loyalty is an interesting concept. If you wish, and you're done interrogating me, we can discuss it further."
"I'm listening, so get on with it."
"Well, here's the thing; I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. That's how it works. If you don't kill me, the Crows will. The thing is, I like living and you are obviously the sort that could give the Crows pause so let me serve you instead."
"And what's to stop you from finishing the job later?"
"To be completely honest, I was never given much of a choice regarding joining the Crows. They bought me off the slave market when I was a child for quite a steal, so I'm told. I think I've paid my worth back to them plus tenfold. The only way out is to sign up with someone they can't touch. Even if I did kill you now, they may just kill me on principle of fail the first time. Honestly, I'd rather take my chances with you."
"Why would I want your services?"
"Why? Because I'm skilled at many things from fighting to stealth to picking locks. I could also warn you, should the Antivan Crows attempt something more sophisticated now that my attempts have failed. I could also stand around and look pretty if you prefer. Or warm your bed or fend off unwanted suitors, no?'
"No." Serene said bluntly. Zevran laughed as he noticed both the male wardens glaring down at him. Apparently this beautiful woman had a talent for wrapping men around her fingers.
"I see, well I can also polish armor if you want. I believe I can be of use to you. So what say you?" Zevran asked hoping she would agree. He wanted to learn more about this female warden who could inspire such emotions in men. Serene thought it over for a moment. Maybe this was just a bad day for Zevran and he was as formidable as he was boasting. Duncan had only taught her the basics of lock picking and stealthing. She wasn't too bad at it, but perhaps Zevran could teach her a thing or too.
"Fine, I accept your offer." Serene announced. Zevran smiled and noticed the two men looking shocked.
"What? You're taking the assassin with us now? Does that really seem like a good idea to you?" Alistair asked. Serene sighed.
"Its not the first time we've taken in someone who could possibly kill us in our sleep. Plus I'm sure there are some things he can teach me, in time, that Leliana can't." Serene said. Leliana nodded sadly.
"There are some things that a bard doesn't do that an assassin does. Antivan Crows are the best assassins out there." Leliana nodded. Alistair sighed.
"Alright, alright. I see your point. Still if there were a sign that we were desperate, I think it just knocked on the door and said hello." Alistair said.
"Welcome, Zevran having an Antivan Crow join us seems like a fine plan." Leliana said. Zevran smiled and took in the appearances of the rest of the group.
"Such lovely women that travel with you warden and men as well." Zevran said and he winked at Alistair. He noticed that the blonde human seemed more distraught about the female warden's decision than the dark haired one. Alistair shot a glare and Zevran and shook his head.
"I would test your food for poisons from now on." Morrigan announced. Zevran took in the appearance of the lovely woman who was hardly covered. She seemed much too easy to seduce and turned his attention back to the warden.
"A good idea for any occasion." Zevran responded. Morrigan snorted and walked off to join the qunari and the mabari. Such an odd group of people gathered together, all following this woman. She must be quite a woman to have beaten him as well.
"Well, lets get going. We're behind as it is and we'll have to push hard if we want to make it to Denerim tonight." Serene announced she reached down and helped Zevran to his feet.
"I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you until such a time should you chose to release me from it. I am your man, without reservation. This I swear." Zevran said as he bowed his head to Serene. Serene nodded and turned to Wynne.
"I think I got him pretty deep on his left side. Can you heal him?" Serene asked. Wynne walked over to the elf and examined his wound.
"My, what a lovely bosom you have." Zevran said. Wynne gave him a look and tended to his wound.
"You might want to save your advances for a much younger woman." Wynne said.
"Ah, but in my experience, women get much better with age, yes?" Zevran stated. Wynne smiled and shook her head. She turned away from Zevran and joined with Leliana. Brandon stood next the elf and growled.
"Just watch yourself, crow. Serene might have spared you, but I'm sure someone would hate to slip and accidently run their sword through you." Brandon whispered. Zevran looked at the dark haired warden and smiled seductively at him.
"I can assure you, I'd be willing to take your sword through me." Zevran said. Brandon blushed furiously and quickly moved forward to catch up with the other women. Serene shook her head and motioned for Alistair to move on with the rest.
"Watch who and what you say to them. You might just find you tent on fire while you're sleeping." Serene said as she turned to walk away. Zevran smiled to himself and followed a few steps behind her, admiring the view.
A/N - ah Zevran. if I didn't have an unhealth obsession with Alistair, it would be with you. Sigh! I just love Zevran and how he has to flirt with anything that moves. Hopefully you're enjoy and I'd love to hear what ya think! :)