Zeriah was sweating by the time they reached Orzammar's exit. She, along with the rest of the party, had dressed in preparation for the frigid climate of the Frostback Mountains, and the heat of the underground city was getting to her. Sereda had insisted on escorting them on her own without the assistance of guards. Naturally a few had indiscreetly followed, but it was a private enough goodbye. Zeriah hugged the dwarven woman before raising her scarf over her face.
"Thank you for everything, Sereda." She said. The blonde grinned.
"What are you thanking me for? You are the one who got me here!" she said jovially. Zeriah chuckled and let the rest of the group say their farewells. Her heart ached when she watched Delnan bow his head to his queen, the silent action conveying more than words ever could. The doors opened and they finally left Orzammar behind.
"Just a minute, Warden." Oghren said breathlessly. She turned back to see both dwarves gaping at the sky above. It hit her that they had never seen anything like it before.
"It feels like I'm going to fall into it." Delnan whispered. Traven snickered and she elbowed him. She didn't miss Leliana's glare at the mage, and she reminded herself that they would need to talk later.
"Take your time. But don't worry, I've lived up here for over twenty years and I haven't fallen into the sky." She pointed out. Both of the nervous dwarves coughed and nodded, gesturing for her to lead on.
The pace that Zeriah had set was quick, and by the time they stopped to set up camp they were in a location that was slightly warmer than the peak of the mountain. Alistair rubbed at his nose, which had been irritatingly running for the last few hours. A slender pair of arms wrapped around his neck, and he smiled as he looked up into Zeriah's face.
"Hello." He said. She grinned.
"You look cold." She pointed out. He nodded, a mischievous grin crossing his face.
"So do you." He added. She fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously.
"Want to…get warm?" she asked coquettishly. He didn't hesitate.
"Definitely." He agreed, standing quickly. She grinned and, to his confusion, shoved a wooden practice sword into his hands. "What in the Maker's name are we going to do with this?" he asked in surprise. Everyone turned their heads at Zeriah's burst of laughter.
"You're going to fight me." She said simply, turning and walking over to an open space. He followed.
"You want me to fight you?" he asked. She rolled her eyes.
"Alistair, I know you don't like losing, but I could go easy on you if you wanted." She said drily. He opened his mouth to respond, but then snapped it shut, readying his sword.
"Don't. All or nothing." He decided. The lovers immediately turned into tactical, calculating machines as they launched into their scrimmage. He had the advantage of strength, but her small size allowed her to move much faster. The part of him that was a warrior wanted nothing more than to defeat her, but the part of him that was aware of who he was fighting wanted to take it easy on her. When she whacked him in the shin with her sword, he decided to agree with his warrior side. He easily anticipated her next move, her trademarked Zeriah tackle, sidestepping and avoiding it completely. She didn't trip as he had expected, and he swung his sword around to meet her renewed assault.
The resounding crack was enough to make a few of their party members cover their ears. Alistair fought the urge to wipe the sweat from his face, as he knew the tiny demon would take immediate advantage of his distraction. Her black hair was plastered to her forehead as well, and he was proud of himself for holding out this long. The fight continued on until their arms were heavy and they were both out of breath, but neither would give in. Alistair noted that her movements were getting slower, but so were his.
"Do you yield yet?" he panted. She laughed soundlessly as their swords collided once more.
"Never." She breathed back. He saw Traven appear, edging dangerously close to their battlefield.
"What are you doing, Amell?" he asked. He missed Traven's grin, but he noticed the tingle of magic in the air. He refused to turn, knowing the mage was trying to distract him so Zeriah would win. To his surprise, he saw Zeriah's focus shift, and a burst of energy exploded from her. The smite struck Traven and knocked him to the ground with a grunt. Alistair charged her, but she was still ready.
"Tie?" he asked. She dropped her sword.
"Thank goodness, that was exhausting. I'm so sorry, Trav! I just reacted!" she called, rushing to the mage's side. Morrigan was already there, cradling Traven in her lap as he moaned with discomfort. When his blue eyes snapped open they were glaring in annoyance.
"Thanks for that." He grumbled. Zeriah laughed quietly. Alistair nudged her shoulder and she glanced up at him.
"That was an incredible smite." He pointed out. She beamed at him, and he wished that smile would never leave her face.
"Really? Do you mean that?" she asked in an almost childlike wonder. They were the same age, but sometimes she seemed so young to him. He chuckled and pulled her into an embrace.
"I wouldn't lie to you." He murmured. Traven groaned again.
"As the victim of the smite, I can say that he's telling the truth." He muttered. Zeriah laughed delightedly and Alistair smiled. He didn't know what he would do without her.
They were nearly to Redcliffe, and Traven watched Morrigan as she perched on top of Bodahn's wagon, engrossed in the thick black grimoire that Zeriah had found in Kinloch Hold. He couldn't get over how beautiful she was. The way the light touched her pale skin, the strands of dark hair that fell between her golden eyes. He could watch her all day and still not be satisfied. Her wise eyes flickered over to him, and she tried to put on an expression of annoyance. She always told him that she hated being stared at, but he knew it wasn't true. She took pride in her beauty, and he could see just by her change in posture that she was enjoying his attention. He winked at her and her lips twitched toward a smile.
"You two disgust me, make it stop, please!" Zeriah said. He laughed loudly at her.
"You have no room to talk, missy. We've had to deal with you and Alistair making eyes at each other since day one!" he pointed out. She smiled innocently.
"You haven' t been with us since day one." She argued.
"Well I have, and it's nauseating." Morrigan called from atop the wagon. Traven grinned at her. They were good for each other: She got him to act more maturely while he got her to indulge in her silly side every once in a while. He loved her more every day.
"Not as nauseating as the two of you." A quiet, Orlesian murmur said. Traven tried not to sigh, knowing that he and Zeriah were the only ones who had heard. Leliana had been…problematic. She wasn't taking the rejection well, and he didn't know what to say to make things better for her. His train of thought was broken by a man running toward them.
"Please, are you here to help us?" he cried. Traven looked down at Zeriah, who immediately stepped forward. Morrigan gracefully clambered down to stand beside him and he gently squeezed her hand as the man filled them in. Morrigan rolled her eyes when Zeriah agreed to aid Redcliffe and Traven nudged her gently.
"Must we help everyone?" she asked quietly. He smiled at her.
"Of course. How else would we get allies, my love?" he pointed out. She sighed and nodded.
"You're right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it." She grumbled. He kissed the side of her head as they were led into the village chantry. Traven was more focused on Morrigan as they entered the chantry, but his attention was captured by a sudden movement when they reached the end of the hall. His eyes widened as he watched Bann Teagan lift Zeriah into the air and kiss her square on the mouth. With the exception of Sten and Alistair, everyone was staring at the man with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Traven glanced over to Alistair, and he wasn't surprised at the expression on his face. He was honestly shocked that Teagan hadn't dropped to the floor from the glare the former templar was giving him. As Teagan set the little warden back on her feet, Alistair was cracking his knuckles. Traven glanced at Zeriah, who was just blinking with surprise.
"Forgive me, my lady, but I have wanted to do that for years, and due to the circumstances I felt I couldn't pass up the opportunity." The young Bann said with a grin. Traven bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to laugh as Alistair shoved his way to the front, death glare firmly in place.
"Forgive me, Teagan, but if you even look at her for too long I am going to have to hurt you." The large man growled. Zeriah was watching the situation with arms folded and an eyebrow arched. Teagan blanched.
"Alistair! I didn't realize that the two of you were… I…I apologize. I am a fool." He stammered. Traven snorted with laughter, unable to contain his mirth any longer. Zeriah rolled her eyes at him and Morrigan nudged him in the side, but they only amused him more. His joy faded as Teagan explained what had been happening to Redcliffe.
"The undead? You're certain?" he asked. The Bann nodded.
"Rotting corpses that are nearly impossible to take out." He confirmed. Zeriah looked at him.
"What are you thinking, Trav?" she asked quietly. He sighed and glanced at Morrigan, who had an understanding look on her face.
"That obviously isn't something that occurs naturally or frequently. It sounds like the veil has been torn somehow, possibly by a young mage." He explained. Everyone in the party nodded, but Teagan was shaking his head.
"Wouldn't our Templars have noticed if there was a new mage in the village?" he asked. Traven shrugged.
"Not necessarily. Sometimes it takes them a while." He pointed out. Teagan nodded slowly.
"What are we supposed to do?" he asked. Traven could tell that the man was desperate.
"We fight. We cannot allow this village to fall to…demons." Leliana said. Traven looked over at her, and their eyes met for a moment before she looked away. That sounded more like the woman he had grown to care for.
"I agree. We can't stand by and do nothing." Wynne added. Zeriah stepped forward.
"Then it is settled. We make our stand here, tonight." She declared. Traven glanced at Morrigan, who rolled her eyes. He kissed her temple.
"Come on, love. We have a battle to prepare for." He said with a chuckle.