I have been neglecting this story but only recently have I found inspiration and I want to continue with this :) Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read and leave feedback it's time to bring Tama and Bull back!
As usual dinner within Skyhold was a busy time. The hall was full of mumblings of conversations, laughing, war stories and maybe the odd couple hiding away in one of its darkened corners. However Tama could only pick at her food as her gaze fell upon Sten sitting quietly in the corner. She had so many questions about what he was doing there? What he had been upto? It had been a number of years since she had last seen him.
Filling her goblet once more she took a long drink before standing and motioning for Sten to walk with her. As both Qunari walked down the main hall of Skyhold and through its large wooden doors to the courtyard, every set of eyes were on them. People were still getting used to how large their species actually was, especially when one of them is bigger than their resident Bull.
"The cold reminds me of the nights in Seheron." Sten spoke as his breath appeared in front of them as they walked around the courtyard.
"I think those might have been colder." Tama chuckled as she tried to pronounce her words in Qunlat from using so much common tongue her accent had been mingled between the two.
She watched as Sten sighed as if contemplating something.
"Tamassran." Sten looked down at her as his little sister. Of course within the Qun they did not have family units like humans, elves or even dwarfs however Sten could not help but recall the little girl Qunari with bright purple eyes watching in wonder as his wounds were cleaned up by her elder sisters. "I have news from across the ocean." He saw her take a deep breath as if bracing herself, "It is not easy for me to say this. To you especially Tamassran. But…" Sten turned to fully face her, "Arishok knows what you did in Kirkwall Tamassran."
Tama stood frozen in shock at his words, her body began to shake as this information began to sink in fully, "How…" She stopped and took a breath trying to steady herself, "How did Arishok come to know this?" Tama still spoke the name in respect even though his actions in Kirkwall were frowned upon by many, secretly of course.
"Your Ben Hassrath."
"Bull?" Tama could not wrap her mind around it, Bull? …. Biting her lip she began to pace in front of the older Qunari.
"Calm Tamassran. Your Ben Hassrath discovered what happened through his investigations, however it seems he does not know that it was actually you."
"It will only be a matter of time." Tama mumbled before dropping her head in her hands, why the hell had she done it? How many years had it been? Running her hands through her hair Tama sighed, "I need to make sure others know of this."
As she began to walk away Sten gently grabbed her arm, "Tamassran." He spoke like an older sibling, "I will help you in this Tamassran. Tell me all of it tomorrow after we have rested." He patted her on the head and began walking to his guest quarters, leaving a very worried Tama alone on top of the garrison, looking out onto the vast mountains of Skyhold.
Placing some new wood on the fire in her room Tama sat down and could only stare into the newly risen flames as she recalled the events of Kirkwall a number of years back.
The smell of the sea air seemed a lot stronger today as Tama stood looking out over the docks of Kirkwall. The tall stone walls of the city seemed to encase everyone within it. She could hear the squawking of the gulls overhead, she hated those beasts so much.
"Tamassran. Your help is needed."
A strong voice broke her train of thoughts, turning around Tama began to tie her hair up as she faced one of her brothers. Nodding she followed the male Qunari into the makeshift healing center of the compound, however she stopped when her eyes fell upon two elves surrounded by a number of her brothers. They were not bound so they definitely were not prisoners, but …. why were there so many guards?
Tama knew not to voice her curiosity as all eyes in the room fell upon her as she proceeded to to walk towards one of the elves and examined his injuries. It did not escape her notice that the male elf shuddered at her touch, "Calm Bas…" She tried to remember the little bit of common tongue she knew, "No harm." Smiling a little she noticed both of the men take a deep breath before relaxing.
Grabbing some healing poultice she began rubbing the soothing mixture upon their wrists. Tama knew that these were marks from being bound, she had seen enough from when she was posted in Seheron.
Everyone was silent as Tama continued with her work when out of the corner of her eye she noticed her brothers tense as the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard.
Tama did not have to look up from the elf's wrist to know who had walked into the room, the sound of her brother's punching their chests in pride as a salute was enough.
"Tamassran." A deep gravelly voice spoke her name laced with command. Turning her head she could only nod as she turned back to her work. "You want to submit to the Qun?" Tama stood back as their Arishok stood tall as he questioned the two elves.
"Yes." Both men spoke at the same time, sitting with their backs a little straighter.
The Arishok began striding around the room making it seem even more small as his large frame walked around it, "I have been informed the guards are looking for you." Tama stood to the side and watched as the two men swapped looks between them, "Do not worry Bas. As long as you submit to the Qun you will be protected."
The men sighed deeply in relief as the Arishok's words sunk in. However it had not escaped Tama's notice that it was unusual for the Arishok to come and speak in person to new members of the Qun. She could feel the nervousness building in her stomach as all the men left the room.
It had been no secret that tensions had been rising within Kirkwall. From the moment the Arishok had commanded them to build the compound from the remainders of the ship to the locking of the compound gates to everyone except the Qun everyone had been weary of them. Of course Tama had never stepped outside the compound, not that she couldn't it was just that her duties were taking up all of her time. However when her brothers were coming back from patrols with battle wounds, and whispering the name Hawke in anger it had peeked her interest on what was going on outside those gates.
Once all of her duties had been completed for the day, Tama was about to call it a night when one of her brothers came to her and said that the Arishok was requesting her presence for the night. Nodding Tama turned around and walked towards the Arishok's quarters. It was not hard to find after all the steps leading upto it were always being guarded by a number of her brothers.
Moving the large tent entrance to the side, Tama walked into the quarters the smell of incense strong on the air within the confined room.
A number of furs lined the floor giving the room the feeling of luxury, however the decadence of the fur's was undermined when walking in further her eyes immediately fell upon the magnificent weapons stand that stood to one side. There standing proudly was the Arishok's very own set of blades. Tama had caught herself many a time staring at the blades in awe at their craftsmanship. She herself had only ever been able to wield the simplest of blades, if only she could get the chance to possibly one day have a set like this of her own.
"Tamassran." His voice made her jump a little turning she began to walk towards him, noticing that he was sitting relaxed, his large frame taking up most of the furs he was sitting on. Tama sat down next to him and began to pour him so more wine. Tama sat quietly as he took a long drink from the goblet she had refilled.
Tama knew exactly what he was expecting of her, after all it was her duty under the Qun that she relieve her brothers and sisters whether it be by listening to their troubles to other more physical activities. Her mind kept wandering back to the two elven men who she had treated earlier. Bringing her knees underneath her, Tama moved her body closer to him, "Arishok … let me aid you." She spoke softly as her fingers began running over his large shoulders earning her a moan in acceptance.
Luckily tonight it seemed he was only interested in relaxing underneath her rhythmic massages of his shoulders, Tama mentally thanked the heavens as she was in no mood for extra physical activities tonight especially when her mind kept wandering back to the two elven males.
She couldn't help but smile softly when she felt his head lean back and rest on her shoulder as she worked a tight knot out of one of his shoulders. Bringing her fingers up to the base of his skull she began working her way up to his horns.
They had both been sitting relaxing when with a swift movement Arishok grabbed her hands and with one movement brought her onto his lap. Tama sat there shocked for a moment before she heard the now familiar growl travel up his throat, "Tama lay with me." It wasn't a request but a demand, he was the type of man to never ask but only take. She tried to make some space between them however Arishok was quick to move as he placed her hands behind her, holding them there with one hand the other bringing her face to his, "Don't decline me Tamassran." She could hear the threat in his voice.
"Arishok." A deep male voice spoke from behind them making him growl in warning.
"This better be good Isskari." Watching as he stood up Tama quickly followed straightening out her outfit before bowing her head in respect to Isskari.
"We have located …" Isskari looked at the Tamassran standing there looking a little relieved regarding his intrusion, "May we speak alone?"
"Leave us." Tama quickly bowed her head once more before leaving the tent quickly, thanking the heavens once more that evening. Brushing a strand of her behind her ear she made her way back to the small healing compound, she knew he would not be leaving his tent this evening and would mostly likely call upon one of her sisters.
The next few days passed by quickly as it seemed the compound seemed more on edge than usual. Tama of course was kept busy with her daily duties however it had not escaped her notice that the two eleven men she saw a few days ago had seemingly vanished. She was in the middle of mixing a batch of healing tonics when shouts and hurried footsteps could be heard from outside. Wiping her hands on the small tattered rag she had linked into her cotton trousers she quietly made her way to the main compound area.
Cursing the size of her brothers and sisters Tama tried to peek over the crowd that had gathered around the edges of the compound but was not having any luck. Sighing Tama smirked when she noticed the wooden ladder to her right, quietly making her way towards she quickly climbed and thanked the heavens when she was able to get a full view of the compound below.
There standing in the middle was a small group of humans, however the female standing at the front stood a few steps ahead of the group. Tama looked at her in awe. It seemed the woman was not going to back down no matter how much the Arishok commanded. Tama felt herself smiling at that fact but as soon as the smile appeared it was wiped from her face when the spears of her brothers began raining down on the group, injuring a number of them. Tama could only look on in horror as they were chased from the compound, the Arishok screaming that this was declaration of war and was soon followed by the loud roars of her brothers and sisters.