24 All The Touching
…
The party ate well that morning, lingering at camp till the deer was butchered and frozen into manageable pieces. Before the sun was high they struck out again. Amara and Morrigan headed the front, the witch staying close by the Warden as they spoke softly. Alistair and Leliana walked behind them. Leliana smiled as she heard Amara's laugh. Alistair looked their way, his brow quirking up. "Well those two seem to be getting along better today."
Leliana nodded beside him. "Hunting seems to form a bond." She looked at the ground as she walked. Alistair gave her a sidelong glance. Worry pricked the back of his mind. Alistair sighed and scratched his head as Leliana watched the Warden in front of her again.
Silence stretched. Alistair cleared his throat. "She is remarkable."
Leliana gave him a small smile and nodded. "I was quite frightened for her last night."
"I think we all were." Alistair looked at the ground. "She seems much better this morning."
"How often does it call you?" Leliana asked the Warden next to her, watching him intently.
"I've only heard it twice before last night. Each time it was incomprehensible to me." He looked at Amara in front of him. "Amara understood it. I think that was why she had a difficult time with the contact."
Leliana gasped beside him. "You mean she knows what it said?"
Alistair nodded. "She said it was calling its forces, riling them up for action." Alistair shook his head. "This Blight is further along than the Grey Wardens ever thought." Leliana crossed her arms to her chest as she walked. A sharp shiver went through her.
…
Amara glanced at the mage beside her. How she loved seeing her smile. Morrigan spoke of a game Flemeth and she would play whenever they were being hunted. "I would act the terrified child and go running off into the woods where Mother would be waiting with her trap."
"You always had fun? Were you ever frightened?" Amara asked the mage beside her, her face a picture as she tried to understand how a mother could use her child as bait.
"Not at all dear Warden, Flemeth had turned it into a good game. One that has taught me many valuable lessons." As they walked a small white flower caught Morrigan's eye. She walked to it and gently plucked it from the ground. She walked back towards Amara with it.
"Oh, for me! You shouldn't have!" Amara fluttered her eyelashes at the witch clasping her hands together like a damsel.
Morrigan laughed at the sight. "That is the strangest expression I have ever seen you wear!" Morrigan smirked as Amara laughed beside her. She looked ahead and pursed her lips in a smile. "This is in fact, for you."
"I knew it!" Amara nudged her playfully.
"Don't get any ideas. It's for your cloak." A smile crept along Morrigan's lips. "That reminds me. I hope you won't take it a miss that I will be acquiring my own tent when we get into the next town."
"Oh?" Amara gave her a sidelong glance, her heart twisting a little inside her chest.
"You have somewhat drained my supplies and I will need to replenish them. The mixing of potions and rituals require much concentration and I must be free from distractions. I would prefer to do this in the comfort and safety of a tent rather than out in the woods." Morrigan took great pains to explain her reasons to the Warden and though Amara felt disappointed that the witch would not be close by as she slept it warmed heart at the care she took to tell her the reasons.
"Well that makes sense to me." Amara gave her a small smile.
"Good." Morrigan nodded next to her.
Amara chuckled and made Morrigan quirk a brow at the sound. "I will miss your snoring." A cheeky smile flitted across the Warden's lips.
Morrigan was aghast. "I do not snore!" Amara laughed at her incensed expression.
"Well how would you know?" Amara's eyes twinkled with mirth as she teased the witch.
"Well… I would…" Morrigan searched for the words. "It would wake me, I'm sure of it!"
Amara smirked, tilting her head. "Not if it's one of those cute buzzy ones."
"Oh stop it!" Morrigan solidly thumped the Warden's arm. "Now I definitely know you are teasing me!"
"I am." Amara laughed. "It's so fun; I don't know why I hadn't done so earlier."
Leliana watched Morrigan and Amara laughing in front of her. Her heart squeezed a little at the sight. She had grown fond of the Warden, recalling the times they had spent together the last couple of days. She felt fascinated by her, relishing the attention Amara paid to her. With a sudden pang she wanted Amara to turn around and look at her. She took a shuddering breath as she watched Amara's confident stride. She loved how the Warden would throw her head back as she laughed heartily. She thought of those beautiful amber eyes, piercing right through her when the spoke. This was a feeling she hadn't felt for a long time.
Amara walked beside Morrigan listening to her speak of the folly of men. Of how they always assumed two things about a woman – how they were weak and helpless and how they always assumed she found them attractive. Amara watched in rapt attention as Morrigan recounted the tale of how a man had accused her of being an apostate, calling the guards down on her. She acted the terrified woman in front of the guard cowering behind him. Amara watched as Morrigan laughed as she told of the guard who had unknowingly aided her by arresting her accuser. The Warden smiled to herself feeling hard pressed to find she would act any different from the guard. The mage certainly knew how to use her charms. She took a steadying breath vainly trying to fight down the attraction she felt.
…
As they walked well past morning Amara felt a familiar sensation welling up inside her. Reflexively she searched it out, her head cocking to the side as she tried to discern what it was. Morrigan gave her a sidelong glance. Leliana and Alistair slowed their steps warily as Amara looked about. Amara turned looking directly at them. Leliana's breath caught in her chest. Self-consciousness filled her as she remembered the last thought she had of the Warden. Her heart thundered. Surely not. She thought as Amara came and stood in front of her. Leliana's heart hammered in her chest and she bit her lip with worry. Amara noticed the concern in her eyes. She looked at the bard, smiled and gently touched Leliana's hand, holding it briefly before letting it go. Leliana quivered from the Warden's caress. Amara's eyes left her and went to the road they had just come down from. She closed her eyes and felt thunder rolling in the distance searching her out. The feeling waned then faded. She opened her eyes, looked at Leliana next to her and took a steady breath. "It's ok my dear, just that familiar feeling again." Amara's hand went to the small of Leliana's back as she gently turned their steps forward once more. She tilted her head at the bard giving Leliana a gentle stare. "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to worry you so."
Leliana swallowed hard. "It's ok." Amara nodded and took up her place beside Morrigan once more. They resumed walking.
Throughout the rest of the early afternoon Amara walked with a distracted air. Her companions began to worry, each taking their turn at her side trying to get her to focus. Leliana went to walk beside Amara as Morrigan and Alistair discussed their leader's state. At the worst of times Amara barely heard a word or paid attention to the friend at her side, apologizing when clarity returned to her. During such a time Leliana came to her side. The Warden barely acknowledged her as she walked beside her. She spoke mostly of Orlais, of how grand and fashionable it was. She asked Amara if she had ever worn pretty dresses and shoes before she came to the Order. Amara smiled and distractedly shook her head. Leliana's concern grew. With the Warden more distracted than ever she wondered how well she was going fight if the need called for it. She looked at the companions behind her; both Alistair and Morrigan were frowning as they discussed what to do.
She turned back and found Amara smiling at her. Her heart quickened. Slowly, gently she reached for the Warden's hand clasping it in her own as they walked. Amara felt her head clear as she felt Leliana's presence override everything else. She drew a breath and looked down at their hands. She held the bard's hand tighter in her own. Leliana gasped at the response, relief washing over her. She kept hold of the Warden's hands resting her head gently on Amara's shoulder. Amara took another steadying breath. "I'm sorry Leliana, I've been so rude. I didn't mean to ignore you all this time." Leliana squeezed her hand. Amara felt her presence tether her to the ground, centring her.
Leliana brushed her cheek on the Warden's shoulder. "Hmm… That's the most you've spoken all afternoon." Amara chuckled and closed her eyes, feeling Leliana's body next to her. Her presence so warm it filled her heart. Amara swallowed and cleared her throat.
"You know how I can sense living creatures?" Leliana nodded her head against her shoulder. "I can sense something seeking me out. It feels so familiar that my very being wants to find it too. I think that's why I'm so distracted… I keep looking for it." Leliana's eyes were wide as she listened. "I know it's close by… closer than before, I think."
Leliana felt Amara's thumb caress the top of her hand. "You seem less distracted now, has it faded away?"
Amara smiled and met her blue eyes. "No, it's still there. But since you've held my hand I can… feel you more." Amara's cheeks reddened and she looked away to the side of the road. She heard a soft laugh from her companion.
"Oh!" Leliana looked at how the Warden's neck flushed all the way to her ears. "Hmm… So, skin to skin contact intensifies it?"
Amara smiled and cleared her throat. "It does." She swallowed hard. It amazed her how the bard could strip little secrets from her so easily. She looked at Leliana once more and found her regarding her with a curious look on her face.
"Hmm… Well in that case… and all in the interest of safety…" Leliana's other hand reached up and gently caressed the side of the Warden' s neck, trailing her fingers down to her throat. Amara closed her eyes feeling Leliana's warmth envelop her. Her heart thundered as she felt it suffuse her very centre. She smiled and from half closed eyes she looked at the bard next to her. Gently she placed her free hand over the bard's hand at her neck and held her. Heat built between their touch as she held on to both of Leliana's hands.
She swallowed hard as she watched the bard's intent stare. "You little vixen." Amara said with a husky voice and a smile. Leliana pursed her lips seductively and shrugged one shoulder.
Morrigan watched with surprise as the Warden in front of her reacted to Leliana's touch. She shook her head and huffed to Alistair next to her. "What is it with humans and all the touching!"
Alistair swallowed hard noting the mage's discomfiture. "Well, it's a very human thing to do… All the touching." He cocked his head to one sided as he watched the redness suffuse Amara's neck. "It doesn't look like bad touching to me." He chuckled as Morrigan glared at him. "Hey, at least she's with us again." Morrigan's lips flattened in a firm line. She took a steadying breath and crossed her arms to her chest as she walked.
They continued walking for sometime with Amara completely cognizant. "And bards in Orlais are different to the ones in Ferelden?"
Leliana nodded at Amara's question. "Uh huh. Bards in Orlais are more than just minstrels performing a song or telling a tale. We are trained to gather information, create diversions or hunt and kill if it was required." Amara looked at her intently as she continued. "We can seduce our mark." Leliana gave her a sidelong glance. "If that was what it required to play the game."
"The game?" Amara's brow quirked up. Leliana nodded.
"The nobles in Orlais are quite ruthless. They plot and scheme to gather influence and power. Of course they cannot do this openly, so they enlist the services of a bard master who pulls all the strings to achieve their goals for them."
Amara's mind raced. "And you've killed many, while playing the game?" Never in her wildest dreams did she ever expect a Sister of the Chantry to admit such things.
"Hmm… I always tried to use nonviolent means." Leliana looked at the road ahead. "You'll be surprised what a kind word or a smile can achieve. The trick was finding out what the mark desired then becoming that."
"Oh…" Amara frowned. "So you lied to them. Make them feel then once you have what you want you discard them or kill them?"
Leliana held a pent breath. "Well if you put it that way you make it sound so terrible." She felt uneasy and conscious of having revealed too much to the Warden next to her. "Tell me, isn't it better to die in the arms of a beautiful seductress than covered by gore on the battlefield?" Leliana's eyes went to her feet. She regretted the coldness that crept into her tone.
Amara squeezed her hand. She had offended the bard with her callous remark. She watched her face as Leliana looked ahead, her eyes distant. Warily she reached up to her cheek and turned the bard's gaze back to her. She moistened her lips as her throat tightened a little. "Leliana, I'm sure it would be better if the seductress was you." She felt heat suffuse her cheeks as she saw Leliana's eyes go wide at her words.
Leliana smiled as she looked away and cleared her throat. "Ahem… Well, it seems I have said too much." Her lips twisted as she fought a smile down. "Well that was long ago. And it's not me anymore." She let out a long breath. "Hmm… I think Morrigan wants to speak to you. I can feel her eyes glaring at me."
Leliana turned away. Amara kept hold of her hand. "Please, you don't need to go."
Leliana gave her a small smile. "I won't be far." Slowly she walked away from Amara. The Warden heaved a heavy sigh. Leliana walked to Morrigan and Alistair. She met Morrigan's cold stare. "Hold her hand. It keeps her here." Morrigan's brow arched as she walked away towards Amara.
The witch stared straight ahead as she walked beside her. "We are making camp soon." Morrigan crossed her arms as she walked.
"It's a little early for camp isn't it?" Amara tilted her head at the witch.
"Alistair seems to think we will reach the lake by midday tomorrow. From there it's just a matter of crossing it to the tower." Morrigan watched the Warden's eyes go distant. Amara nodded slowly at her words. "We don't know what we'll find there so a good rest will be useful." Amara was silent. Morrigan sighed. Her heart hammered in her chest. She hated the awkwardness she was feeling. Annoyed she uncrossed her arms and took a steadying breath. Hesitantly she brushed the back of her hand against Amara's fingers. She saw the Warden beside her blink. Slowly she curled her fingers around Amara's hand. She let out a breath as the Warden grasped it. Amara swallowed hard and looked at the mage with her amber gaze. Alistair giggled behind them and the witch quickly shot him a murderous glare.