The knocking on the door woke me up and I mumbled as I glanced at the window.
It was barely dawn.
"What?" Zevran called out and I looked up to see him rub his hand over his face.
The door cracked open and Alistair poked his head inside. "Sorry to wake you both up, but we need to be on the move shortly. Also, Wynne needs to see Elissa. Preferably before she gets dressed."
"Fine." I groaned as I sat up.
Alistair pulled back and the door opened further as Wynne walked past him.
She closed the door behind her and moved curtly to stand at the foot of the bed as Zevran started to get up.
He looked a little disoriented for a moment before moving for the desk to his bag.
"Alistair and I agree that you need to have a healer look you over before we continue to Denerim. Seeing how this is the best place to have anyone look at you, I figured I would handle it myself now."
"Do, please." Zevran said. "She's stubborn and keeps making excuses." He pulled a clean pair of pants and a shirt from his bag.
Wynne frowned at him. "I'm more surprised you haven't been more concerned. Being her lover at the moment and all." She still sounded like she disapproved of him.
He shrugged before pushing his pants off and pulling the clean ones on.
I caught the faintest hint of blush on Wynne's cheekbones as she turned to face me and I gave him a dry look as I watched him tighten the laces below his stomach.
He merely grinned at me before moving to sit on the edge of the bed to pull his new boots on.
"Have you no modesty?" Wynne chastised him with a glare.
"Not a bit." Zevran didn't even look up at her as he tucked his knives into the top of each boot and I noticed he was putting two in each boot instead of one like normal.
"Well, I need to check her over, so if you don't mind..." She motioned at the door.
"Not like I haven't seen her before." He started to pull his shirt on.
I sighed as I realized what it was.
He didn't trust her. It was almost comical. The Assassin didn't trust the Circle Mage healer.
Until Wynne accepted him, he wouldn't put any trust in her like he did me, or even Alistair and Baron.
I heard the snuffling at the door before the whine.
Zevran glanced at me.
"That isn't the point. An examination is meant to be private." Wynne said.
"It's alright Zev. Do you think you can take Baron outside. I'm sure Alistair already did, but he's probably just confused as to why we're leaving so early." I started to get up.
"Very well mi amor. Just yell if you need me." He collected his armor and I watched him start to pull it on as he went to the door.
Baron whined at him as he pulled it open and I could hear him conversing with my dog after the door was closed again.
"He didn't need to leave." I finally said once I was sure he was away from the door and out of hearing range.
"True enough, but I don't trust his intentions depending on the results of my spells." She said.
I could feel the faint hum of magic as she started to work while I stood near the curtained window.
I had to wonder if this was even going to be effective considering my resistance to healing type magic. Or maybe it was just invasive magic. Healing had to go into the body, as did the magic of several of our opponents over the course of our travels, and none had been very effective. Even back in the Circle Tower, Sloth had to work harder to keep me under that it seemed to on the others.
A few minutes later, she finally stepped back as if she was tired.
"Are you alright Wynne?" I moved forward to reach out in case she fell.
"I'm fine. It's just your natural resistance means I have to work harder."
That answered that theory. I'd get Morrigan to test it next time I was injured. Maybe just putting far more effort into it would have me healed like a normal person.
"So, am I as good as I say I am? Nothing is wrong with me?" I asked.
She moved to sit on the end of the bed and I was worried.
Was there something wrong? Other than being Tainted of course.
"I… I hesitate to answer that. I should, as a professional healer. But as someone who doesn't approve of your relationship..." She closed her eyes and I leaned against the desk.
She was saying what I thought she was saying, wasn't she.
"Please, just tell me Wynne." I whispered, afraid to actually know, but I needed to.
"I'm not sure if it will be good news or not to you, but I still feel disappointed in you regardless." She stood up. "When you asked me before, I didn't understand what you were wanting. Alistair explained it to me and asked me to see if I could help." She looked at me and for a moment, it was like I was staring at my mother again. Stern, unhappy with my choices, and all the motherly distaste she could manage to express. "You have a child. What you chose to do is up to you." She turned to leave and I didn't stop her.
I...was pregnant.
Not just missing a cycle to stress, but actually pregnant.
And magic could already tell.
When Wynne opened the door and left, I heard the scribble of claws on stone and looked over as I sat on the bed. Baron came to me and put his head on my lap.
Could he tell already? He was highly perceptive and his Mabari nose might have noticed something.
The door closed and a second later, I felt the bed dip next to me.
"Something the matter mi amor? Did Wynne upset you?" Zevran put his arm around me and held me close to him.
I shook my head.
Should I tell him?
What if he wasn't happy?
What if it made him angry?
What if...he hated me because of this?
"Elissa?" He sounded worried.
I stopped petting Baron and looked at Zevran.
"I...I'm alright. Just like I told you. Nothing wrong." I said.
"That is good no?" He frowned. "Why the tears?"
I shook my head and reached up to brush them away. "I'm sorry. I guess I just thought there might be something wrong and I'm glad there isn't."
"Well, I'm very glad there is nothing wrong with you. I don't think I could bear it if there was." He said with a smile.
It made me smile. I pushed to get to my feet. "Well, enough wasted time. We've got to get moving and I want to eat before we go." I said.
Baron moved away and towards the door as I went to collect clean clothes.
Zevran didn't stop looking pleased as he packed up all of his things while I changed.
I did catch him looking at me every time I looked up at him though.
When we headed out of the room, we ran into Alistair in the hallway.
"You both ready to go?" He asked as Baron wove around him.
My Mabari seemed to really like Alistair and Zevran, which made me happy too.
They were both very important people in my life right now and I was glad Baron accepted them as they were.
"Pretty much." I nodded and started to head down to the main hall.
"Good." Alistair said. "Breakfast is just about ready and afterward, we should all be heading to Denerim. Arl Eamon says it will only take a couple days to get there, but that isn't new. We've done the route before. Though we'll likely be stopping more often due to the bigger group this time. He's already sent a bird ahead to warn the estate that we're coming."
"You're rambling." I said as we walked through the doors of the hall. Soldiers were already coming in and I saw the rest of my group at a table with food.
"Go on and sit amor. I'll get us food." Zevran said. "I'll even be nice and get Alistair food too."
"And not poison it? Gee, I'm shocked." Alistair snorted a laugh.
"Mmm, I still could." Zev shrugged as he headed for where a handful of servants were putting out plates of food on the main table.
Alistair didn't seem concerned as I took my bag and Zev's towards the table my group had gotten.
I sat down beside Morrigan, leaving the end seat for Zev and I looked at them all.
"At least we got a few days rest." Leliana said cheerfully.
I nodded. "Much needed and appreciated."
She smiled at me in an odd kind of way. Strangely gentle.
"And baths." Morrigan added in. "Though some of us could have actually used one." Her look was directed at Oghren.
"I'm perfectly clean." He said.
"For a brewery." Alistair huffed as he sat beside Sten.
Oghren laughed. "Well, at least I can drink." He retorted.
"Alistair drinks." I frowned.
"I believe he was meaning you." Alistair said.
"What?" I tilted my head.
"I told them." Wynne said.
I stared at her. "Told them..." I looked at Alistair blankly for a moment before looking back at her. "Why?"
"It is important to know whether we should react differently." Wynne said. "I am of the opinion you should be sitting here in Redcliff for the remainder of this Blight business. But that would leave..." She glanced at Alistair and shook her head instead of continuing.
"Yes. And while he might be passing with a shield, we all know he has nothing between his ears." Morrigan said from beside me. "And I for one won't continue on without you."
"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence I guess." I sighed.
Sten put down the mug of what smelled like black coffee from across the table. "I do not see how she will be affected in combat due to this at such a time." He said simply.
I nodded at him. "Thank you. I'm perfectly capable as always. They're just worrying."
"Worrying about what amor?" Zev startled me as he set a plate down in front of Alistair at the end of the table and another in front of me.
I looked up as he set mugs in front of us both as well before settling with his own breakfast.
"Efficient bastard aren't you?" Alistair sounded almost impressed.
"Don't want it?" Zev raised a brow at him. Alistair wrapped an arm around his plate and glared at him. "Thought so. Now, who's worried about Elissa?"
"No one." Alistair said. "Just a running bet on whether she'll keep sleepwalking the entire way to Denerim. I'm of the vote she won't."
"I think she will." Leliana said. "She's done it half the journey so far."
I stuck my tongue out at her as the rest of the table seemed to get the hint to not tell Zevran.
I wasn't sure how he'd take it and I didn't want it to get between us just yet.
As we all finished eating, the Arl came to gather the men going with us to Denerim.
"I'll go let Bodahn and Sandal know we are heading out." Leliana said as she got up.
I nodded. "Thanks. It's up to them if they want to go though." I added.
The Arl came to our table as we were cleaning up and I stood to greet him.
"Good morning Warden Cousland." He smiled warmly. "I think that has a nice sound to it, don't you?"
I grinned. "I think my father would be pretty proud I joined."
Arl Eamon laughed. "Indeed. Are you and your companions ready?"
I nodded. "Leliana went to tell our other companions that we'll be leaving shortly, but we all have everything packed as far as I know." I looked around the table and saw nodding from most of my friends.
"Very well. In that case, let us make our way to the gates with the rest." Arl Eamon motioned for the door and I nodded before starting in that direction.
Zev caught up with me and kept at my side with Baron on my other side.
XX
It was midday before our troop took a break to eat and rations were handed out from one of the two wagons Arl Eamon had brought.
As I sat on a stump at the edge of the road in order to eat, I felt the sun blocked out and looked up to see Zevran standing in the way.
"Hmm?" I mumbled around my last bite of biscuit.
Most everyone was a slight bit away from where I was sitting aside from Baron.
"So...when were you going to tell me?" He crossed his arms as he looked down at me.
"Tell you what?" I frowned.
"You know damn well what Elissa." He snapped. "I had to find out by having Wynne ask what your plans were."
I looked at the ground as I felt angry. At myself and at Wynne. I should have told him. But she had no right to tell everyone else before I could.
"Am I not allowed to know? What are your plans?" His voice wasn't exactly raised, but just the tone itself had Baron standing up.
I reached to grab his collar to keep him from moving as he actually growled at Zev.
But it was that little growl that had Zev taking a deep breath and reaching to brush his hand over his face.
"I'm sorry if I sound angry mi amor." He spoke softer this time and I looked back up at him.
"I...I didn't know how to tell you." I felt the tears coming up at the feeling of guilt. "I wanted to, but...I didn't know how you'd feel."
Zev knelt in front of where I was sitting and reached to touch my cheek.
"A little happy...a lot terrified." He said with a soft expression on his face I could almost consider love. He looked down at Baron as he lowered his hand to touch my thigh and raised his other to pet Baron's head to assure him it was alright and that he meant no harm to me. "I should have taken precautions and I failed to. I thought that your Warden Ritual would have been enough, but I suppose it is just our luck..." He sighed.
Right, he'd read that journal. He knew I was Tainted.
"I asked Alistair about that too and he said it was extremely hard and rare..."
"So Alistair knew before I did as well..." Zev sighed.
I shook my head. "Actually...I think everyone does. I think Wynne told everyone..."
"Oi, you two coming?" Alistair called out as he came up to us.
Zev stood up and held out his hand to me. I took it and he tugged me to my feet. "Yeah, keep your boots on." I rolled my eyes at Alistair.
My fellow Warden just grinned. "Keep up alright. And no sleepwalking." He laughed. "I'll be out even more money."
I snorted as he fell in step with us as we started to follow the wagons.
"So, I am the last to know of the news I should have been the second to know?" Zevran looked over my head at Alistair.
I looked up to see the confusion go across Alistair's face before he realized what Zev was talking about.
"Ah...sorry. Afraid I've already gone off on Wynne about that. She stepped over the line on that instance. Elissa came to me about a week and a half ago for information and I expected her to go straight to Morrigan and then get back to me after results. Not drag her heels and make me have to ask Wynne."
"Hey, you could have gone to Morrigan yourself. At least she would have kept her mouth shut." I glared at him.
Alistair snorted. "I'll go to her when I'm dead."
Fair enough. It wasn't as if he didn't trust Morrigan, he just really didn't trust her motives. In a battle, they were actually a good team and he protected her on several occasions. But outside… it was like cats and dogs between them. And not ones that got along.
"Still...for the father to be the last to know is not good luck." Zevran sighed.
"Well, again, sorry." Alistair actually looked sorry. He perked up immediately. "So, any plans yet?"
"Survive the Blight, kill the Archdemon, and be home for supper?" I attempted to joke. It made them laugh, but I knew Zev still expected an actual answer. Alistair too when he didn't leave. I sighed as I let them guide my pace. "Honestly...aside from that...I haven't thought that far out. I mean, like I said before, any child I have with Zevran will be loved no matter what happens between us. And once this is all over with...I suppose I'll have to actually decide, won't I?"
"You won't be alone mi amor." Zev took my hand.
"Of course not." Alistair smiled at me. "You'll have me around to babysit."
I laughed. "You think I'd trust you with a child?"
He made a feigned hurt look. "I am very much wounded. I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of helping."
I took his hand in my other hand. "Well, at any rate, I'm glad of that. I might end up needing it."
XX
Surprisingly enough, no one babied me in the couple skirmishes we had against Darkspawn patrols along the way to Denerim in the next couple of days.
No one commented on my sharing a tent with Zevran.
And I don't think anyone heard it when we had sex the second night.
Though just about everyone heard it when I woke up with a nightmare the following morning.
It wasn't like I hadn't had Blight induced nightmares already since joining the Wardens, but this was a particularly bad one and I climbed out of my tent to see that several of the soldiers had woken to my scream.
Alistair had also had the same nightmare and we discussed it as we walked with the Arl.
When we approached Denerim, it had a much different feel in comparison to the first time I'd been here during the journey.
Before it had been somewhat shuttered and now, it was open as the Arl lead the way towards his estate.
Zevran kept his eyes on the alleyways and I saw Leliana also had her sights on the shadows.
One of them must have spotted something, because I saw them catch each others eye and Leliana nodded, so I assumed it was Zevran who had spotted whatever it was.
XX
As we all unpacked in the rooms the Arl had let us use, I looked over at Zev.
"What did you see on the way here?" I asked.
"Hmm?" He frowned. "When?"
"In the market. You and Leliana were looking out for things, right?"
"Ah, that. I spotted a spy of Loghain's and I was making sure she had seen him too. I didn't want to tip anyone else off, so I didn't say anything. Let him think we don't know."
I nodded. "Makes sense. At least this way we'll be expecting anything he throws at us."
"Exactly." Zev said as he moved to close the curtains.
I sighed as I reached to rub at my shoulder.
"Sore mi amor?" Zev came up behind me and I leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Just a little." I closed my eyes. "I wasn't expecting for Teyrn Loghain and his entourage to show up when we got here."
"I'm just more surprised you held yourself back at seeing Howe." He said.
I felt my hand clench automatically at the memory and Zev eased my fingers open again to twine them with his.
"I'm proud of you. He'll get his due, don't worry." Zev said.
I sighed. We just stood there and it took a few moments before I realized Zev was very slowly rocking with me as if we were dancing.
I continued with him, barely even moving and just feeling him holding me with his head resting on my shoulder, for a couple more minutes.
Until the peace was broken by a knock on the door. I groaned as Zev pulled away to go and answer it.
When he pulled it open, Alistair looked almost a little sheepish as he rubbed at his neck.
"Sorry for interrupting, but the Arl needs to see us in his rooms."
"You weren't interrupting anything I'd want to kill you over." I said as I headed for the door. Alistair sighed in relief and I hit him in the shoulder as I passed. "Just beat you."
"Ow." He rubbed at his shoulder and I was grateful he'd taken off his armor already or it would have been me who was hurting from that hit. I heard Zevran laughing as he closed the door to follow us. "It's not funny. I said I was sorry."
"Oh, not as sorry as I'd make you." Zev laughed at him again.
I glanced back to see Alistair cracking a slight smile. "No way, you like me more than that. Surely." When Zev didn't smile, Alistair looked worried. "Maybe even just a little?" His look of worry increased. "Maker's breath, I really am sorry."
I laughed and Zev clapped him on the back. "At least just a little." Zevran said with a laugh finally. "But the torture would still hurt. Just a little."
"What was I interrupting anyway? Wait, I take that back, not sure I want to know." He held up his hands.
"It wasn't anything bad." I said. "Just...a quiet moment of peace."
"Oh, well then...sorry." Alistair reached to open the door of the Arl's sitting room.
"I'll make it up later." Zevran said.
"Make what up?" I heard the Arl as I stepped inside the room.
"It's nothing." I waved it off as I looked around the room. It was nicer than the bedroom Zevran and I were in, but that was to be expected since he was the Arl.
I saw a young Elven servant and for a second, it actually annoyed me.
Even back in Highever, I'd hated the idea of servants because to me it implied being forced to work for no money, and that just seemed unfair to me.
Though when I was younger, I hadn't known about all that and thought the kids were there to play with me.
Nan had scolded them for slacking off more times than I could count, but Father always said they were doing more good keeping me occupied than helping her. He would never let her actually act on the threats of abuse, and they knew it.
Maker I missed my friends.
I'd have given anything to be able to save everyone from the castle.
"Mi amor?" Zev touched my back to usher me further into the room.
"Hmm, sorry, she just reminds me of some of the Elves back at the castle before...I left." I said.
"Ah." Alistair sighed.
"Elissa, Alistair, this is Erlina-"
"I am Queen Anora's handmaiden. She sent me here to ask for your help." The Elf said.
XX
"Why can't I go with you? I'm quiet as well, I can pick locks." Leliana said.
"I know, but as Erlina said, this needs to be a quick and quiet procedure. The less of a group we have, the better." I said as I made sure my armor was tied appropriately.
Was I being too cautious?
Maybe. But it wasn't as if I'd had any experience with this whole process before.
Maybe they were right when we'd left Redcliff. Maybe I should be sitting out.
But...if I didn't fight, who would? Alistair?
He was as much a coward as I was, though we'd both improved loads since Ishal and the Wilds.
Where an Ogre would have scared the shit out of us back then, I think the two of us alone would probably just get annoyed at it now. Dragons were so much scarier in comparison.
I honestly think the High Dragon near Haven was scarier than the Archdemon.
Simply because of that little look of amusement it had shown. Like it was sentient and intelligent. A terrifying combination in such a powerful creature.
"Elissa knows what she is doing." Alistair said as he checked over his weapon quickly.
Zevran nodded. "We and Morrigan will be back in a minute with the Queen. No big worry at all." He grinned. "You won't even have time to miss us."
"We won't." Leliana huffed at him. "Not you anyway."
At least when they said it now, there was no real ill will behind it. Maybe because Zev and I were so close.
We headed out with Erlina and I just had a bad feeling about it all.
XX
My bad feeling was rightly justified as a group of rogues ambushed us in an alleyway on the way to the Arl of Denerim's estate.
At first I thought it was just common thieves and reached to draw my blades.
But none of the six of them so much as reached for theirs and a shadowed figure came to the top of the stairs on the far side of the area.
I stepped closer, realizing that this was a somewhat honorable ambush.
"So, I finally meet the Grey Wardens at last. The Crows send their greetings once again." The dark haired man spoke up from the top of the stairs.
He was at least Alistair's size, but given his use of terms, he was much more skilled than my comrade might be.
Then again, maybe I was just so used to Alistair that I wasn't giving him his due in fighting.
"So, they sent you Taliesen? Or did you volunteer for the job?" Zevran moved to stand at my side.
So this was Taliesen? The man Zevran had once been very close with?
As I looked him over, I could see how he could be somewhat attractive. But compared to Zevran, he wasn't much to look at.
"I volunteered of course. When I heard the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it for myself." He almost sounded surprised, but it was as if he'd expected it too. Just how well did he know Zevran? Emotionally and behaviorally anyway, I already knew they'd been intimate.
"Is that so?" Zev raised a brow at him. "Well, here I am, in the flesh." Zev held his arms slightly out in display.
Taliesen looked sad. "You can return with me Zevran. I know why you did this, and I don't blame you." He sounded understanding. But hadn't Zevran said that he was the one who'd done the deed of killing their former partner? Or did he mean the suicide attempt by proxy? "It's not too late. Come back and we'll make up a story. Anyone can make a mistake." His voice had me believing that if Zevran chose to leave with him, he wasn't making it back to Antiva alive.
Would Zevran want to leave? Surely not. He'd never have talked about the future if he intended to return to the Crows. Not with what he'd said about them and his plans anyway.
"Of course, I'd need to be dead first." I tilted my head at Taliesen.
"And I'm not about to let that happen." Zev immediately spoke up and I caught the hint of irritation as I looked at him.
Taliesen must have caught it as well. "What? You've gone soft." He accused Zev.
Zev looked up at him. "I'm sorry my old friend. But the answer is no. I'm not coming back..." Zev did actually sound sorry. "And you should have stayed in Antiva."
Those words seemed to be a starting signal to the fight as Taliesen came down the stairs, drawing his blade as he moved.
I pulled my own free as Morrigan took out the two archers with ease and Alistair took the two rogues closest to him on simultaneously.
I turned as another came at my left side and Zevran threw a dagger into the throat of the young man coming at him from the other side.
Taliesen started to take advantage of my occupation with the last rogue, but Zev stood in his way.
"Move Zevran." He snarled as their swords met behind me.
I kicked the man I was facing back and raised my right sword to go through his heart. A clean and quick death.
I pulled it free to turn around and the sight had me falling in love with Zevran all over again.
The way he looked so determined to not let Taliesen pass was amazing. I admit I liked the look on him, but the circumstances were hardly something I'd cause again just to see it.
"Walk away Taliesen." Zevran sounded pained.
This hurt him to do, even though he knew the results would be the same regardless of his words.
"Then die with her." Taliesen snapped before he suddenly coughed up blood.
I watched him stumble back, towards the stairs. "When did you..." The other Crow gasped.
I moved to stand beside Zevran as he looked down at his old comrade.
The wound on Taliesen's side was fatal and I could see Zev's right blade dripping blood.
"I didn't want to kill you old friend, please remember that. But neither will I let you take the life I have made." Zevran said.
I felt myself blush slightly.
"The Warden has made you soft."
"Maybe so, but I'll take it." Zevran knelt as I could see the blood draining from Taliesen's face. "She also gives me strength. And a future."
Just before I watched the life leave him, I could almost swear I saw a look of peace on Taliesen. He was glad?
He sighed as I watched him close Taliesen's eyes. "He could have been free of them too." I cleaned my sword off on a rag Alistair tossed at me.
Zev shook his head. "No. Taliesen would never have been free of that life. He was cold and washed through with it. I...would never have made Master like he would. I was tired of killing innocent people to survive a long time ago."
I sheathed my swords and moved to touch his shoulder. "Still, I'm sorry Zev."
He stood up. "It's done then I suppose." He sighed as he started after Alistair heading for the stairs.
I let my hand fall as Morrigan passed us.
"So...what does this mean?" I was nervous, though I don't think I should have been. He'd shown no interest in leaving yet.
Zev turned to look at me.
"Well, the Crows will have assumed I died fighting him or that you killed us both at this point. Either way, they won't be looking for me any time soon. I could afford to travel now and as long as I don't stick out, they won't notice me for a while."
"So...you're leaving?" I looked down.
I heard Alistair snort from the top of the stairs as I felt Zev's gloved hand touch my chin.
"Of course not mi amor. You're stuck with me." He grinned.
I smiled. "Good, because if you left, I'd be very sorely put out."
He laughed. "We can't have that, now can we?"
I took his hand as we walked up the stairs.
"As if he'd ever leave. Hell, the only way to get rid of him at this point is probably to kill him." Alistair huffed a laugh.
I smiled as I laughed. "And I doubt any of us are that skilled yet. I mean, he's got years of practice on all of us except Wynne and maybe Sten."
"Mmm, yes, I do, don't I?" Zev tilted his head thoughtfully. He gave Alistair a sideways look as we passed him. "Maybe you'll keep that in mind if you ever decide you need my skills."
"As an Assassin? Why would I ever need an Assassin?" Alistair snorted disbelief.
"Oh, you never know." Zev shrugged as we headed away from the alleyway to meet at the Arl of Denerim's estate. He still hadn't let go of my hand.
Not sure he had quite forgiven me for mentioning my death.
XX
Erlina provided guard uniforms for us each in order to sneak inside.
"Arl Howe acquires more new guards nearly every day, a few more wouldn't be noticed." She looked extremely nervous. "If you are all ready, I will get the guards there by the door away with distractions. If that is alright?"
I nodded. "Don't put yourself in danger though."
"You are very kind Warden." Erlina looked as if no one had ever worried over her safety. "I'm just an Elf, getting Queen Anora out is far more important."
I scoffed. "Elf or human holds no determination on your importance to me."
"It really doesn't." Alistair said. "Zevran is more important to her than I am." He shrugged as he motioned at Zev.
Erlina looked startled as she looked between him and Zev. She looked back at me. "You would value one of my kind over your own?"
I shrugged. "I happen to really like Zevran, in ways I don't like Alistair."
"Right now is the best moment to distract them." Morrigan said.
I looked up to see that most of the guards had left from around the door.
Erlina nodded as I motioned for her to go.
XX
Getting in was easy, and once inside, no one even looked twice at us as we followed the quickly scribbled map Erlina had given us.
When we were stopped by another pair of guards, Zevran smoothly had them on their way without suspect.
We made it to Anora's room without incident and I was just a little startled to have Erlina pop up then as we found out it was warded with Magic. Morrigan said it would have been simple enough to undo the Magic on the door, but it would give away our dealings here.
We'd have to find the Mage responsible for upholding the spell.
I wanted to avoid as much needless killing as possible. These were just men doing their duty by some of the comments I'd heard as we made our way here.
"Well, we can head for the dungeon where Howe is and likely find the Mage down there with him." I found the fastest and safest way there on the map as my companions nodded.
XX
Once we hit the dungeon, and I knew Howe was down here, I could tell I was getting quiet. We rechecked our gear for proper protection and started forward, taking out loyal guards of Howe's employ.
Almost an hour later, and I'm sure everyone had heard us coming at this point, we stood at the door Howe would be behind, provided he hadn't fled like a coward.
I gripped both my swords and closed my eyes to attempt to give myself patience.
I felt a gloved hand on my shoulder.
"Mi amor, it's alright. No matter what happens, Howe will die and your family will be avenged." Zevran said.
"I know, but...I don't want to be this angry again." I said.
"Give it time." Alistair spoke up from behind me. "It's only been a couple months."
I nodded and Alistair moved to edge me out of the way of the door.
We all stepped back as he raised his shield in front of him before kicking in the door very dramatically.
It scared the living shit out of Howe and the look of surprise and fear on his face was entirely worth it.
As was letting Alistair go first to take the two arrows that came at him.
Morrigan instantly, and without even looking in the room, lit one archer on fire and froze the other archer.
I followed Alistair into the room and my fellow Warden moved out of the way for me to see Howe.
"You!" He snarled at me. "Why couldn't you die properly?"
"Why did you kill my parents? You were friends with my father." I shouted back at him as he went for a sword.
"Your father was a coward. He wanted to go to Orlais for help. He wanted to betray everything we'd fought for. He got all the credit and glory for everything we did, and he wanted to throw it away."
I started forward as he raised his sword at me. "That's no excuse."
"He took everything from me. I deserved more." He screamed as he brought his sword down at me.
I raised my left and struck out with my right, piercing his chest in one clean motion.
"You've gone crazier than you ever thought he was." I scowled at him. "You've killed innocent people for nothing but the lust for power."
I watched him die as Alistair and Zevran took care of the others in the room.
Zevran came up to me as he was cleaning off his blades.
"Do you feel a little better?" He asked.
"No." I looked at the floor. "He just...he knew my father for so long...and to betray his trust just because my father wanted to repair relations and strengthen our ties to other nations..." I shook my head.
"It is done mi amor." Zevran pulled my swords from my hands and I watched as he cleaned them. "From here on, you will never have to seek revenge or fight for your family."
"But...I still will." I frowned as he held them back to me.
I looked up at him as I sheathed them, in time to see his questioning look. "How so?"
"Because." I reached up with my gloved hand and touched his cheek. "You're my family now and I'll always fight for you."
He smiled and covered my hand with his.
"What about me?" Alistair feigned a hurt look and acted as if he was stricken in the heart.
I laughed as I lowered my hand. "Of course Alistair, you're family too. Just not as important."
He scoffed. "Oh I see how it is. You intend to throw me to the political wolves and just tell me I have your support, is that it?"
Zevran laughed. "I did offer my services as an Assassin."
"Well...some brother you'll be." Alistair huffed. "Only use me for employment." His smirk betrayed his amusement in the play.
I took a deep breath as we collected what we needed and started to head out.
Zev was right, I wouldn't have my parents death hanging over my head anymore.
They might not have supported my killing Howe like I had, but I know my mother would have killed him and I'm pretty sure my father wouldn't have accepted that pathetic excuse as reasonable.
Plus, it made me feel better too.
As we made our way around the dungeons I'd set free as many of the prisoners we came across as I could tell were innocent and just in his way. Everyone from a Grey Warden, who took documents Zevran had found in the room leading to the dungeon, to an Elf who had attempted to kill the previous Arl of Denerim's son, who ironically was also locked up down here. After having talked to Soris though, I couldn't possibly release Vaughan.
XX
By the time we made it back to the Queen's room, the place was eerily quiet.
As I unlocked the door, I was a bit surprised to see her come out in guard gear.
I frowned as I looked it over. "And this is because..."
"It is simple, in this house there are those loyal to Howe, and those loyal to me. If Howe's people find me, I'll be killed. If my people find me, I'll be taken back to the palace, where my father may have me killed."
"Not a big deal." I shrugged. "Howe is dead."
She looked taken aback. "Dead?"
"I killed him for killing my parents." I started to turn and lead us all away.
I could hear the main doors opening as I entered the hall and headed in the direction.
Before I could think to turn around, we entered the main room and saw a squad of guards and Loghain's second in command, Ser Cauthrien.
The moment she saw us, she called us out. "Warden, in the name of the Regent, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Rendon Howe and his men. Surrender and you may be shown mercy."
I hesitated as I saw how many men she had with her. Almost a dozen, some of whom were archers. In fact, a lot of whom were archers.
Even Morrigan wouldn't be able to subdue them all in one swoop and several had a handful of arrows set to fire on release and just hit the wide area of us.
"I...please allow my companions to go free. I am the only one who did anything." I said.
She looked surprised. "You will both come peacefully?"
Both? Oh Maker...I'd forgotten about Alistair when she said 'Warden'...I was so used to being the one in trouble this whole adventure and addressed as Warden.
"We will." Alistair said.
I listened as he drew his sword and unhooked his shield from his back as Ser Cauthrien motioned for Zevran and Morrigan to leave the back way.
I glanced at him. "Just go." I whispered.
"I'll get you." He mouthed back as he urged Morrigan and the Queen and Erlina away behind him.
It didn't take long to hear their boots hitting the floor down the hall.
Hell, given Zev's memory of buildings, they'd be out before we would.
Alistair dropped his weapons and I pulled my sash off, thankful that the only thing in it was the map and the keys we'd used.
Ser Cauthrien stepped forward and several of the archers kept their arrows trained on us as two of her swordsmen came to bind our wrists.
I had honestly just surrendered on the condition of Zev's release because I knew this was no enemy we could have taken without wounds and I couldn't afford wounds at this point. I'd step up my game against the Archdemon, but chances were high I'd let everyone else do the bulk of the fighting against everything else.
"You will be taken to be held in custody until Regent Loghain has decided what to do with you." Ser Cauthrien said.
I nodded as I finally saw the archers loosen their arrows and quiver them.
One of the men collected both our weapons and I was led behind Alistair out the door following Ser Cauthrien.
I didn't have to worry overly much about walking since someone knocked me out before I could clear the door.
My last glimpse before it went black was Alistair getting the same treatment.