Chapter 26 - Fort Drakon

Ayu looked the woman over. She'd been underfed and was filthy, but both were easily remedied. "I am Ayu and this is Alistair. We're with the Grey Wardens." Ayu gestured to the other two. "This is Morrigan and Zevran. Are you able to walk?"

Enwyn nodded. "I will make myself walk. I wish to be rid of this place and the sooner the better. I will be no burden Warden, I promise." She pulled her makeshift hood up to cover her hair. "If possible . . ." Enwyn looked at the ground pensively, "they took my family sword and shield. I know I have no right to ask of you . . But - could we get them back? It's all I have left of my home." Tears pricked her eyes, though she tried valiantly to keep them at bay.

"We have to free Anora, but we will look along the way." Ayu led the group toward the door and found it locked. She tried the keys until one worked and she opened the door.

"Queen Anora?" Enwyn shuffled in beside Alistair, just behind Ayu. "Why on Thedas would she need rescuing?"

"According to the handmaiden, Arl Howe and her father locked her away in a room. I'm assuming she either posed a threat and wanted to expose them . . . Or this is a trap," Ayu paused, frowning. "I haven't figured out which."

"I see," Enwyn nodded. "If we can get my sword, I can help you fight." She clutched the rags about her shoulders.

"Can you even hold your sword?" Alistair asked not unkindly. "I think you should stay safe and save the little energy you have."

Enwyn bristled for a moment. She didn't like hearing about her limitations, but she sighed instead. "Perhaps you are right. I - I don't know if I would even be any good in a battle right now."

"Just stay in our group and keep your head down. You'll be safe." Alistair hefted his shield on his arm and offered Enwyn a comforting smile.

Enwyn pulled her hood over her face a little more and kept her head down, following diligently behind Alistair and Ayu. The party ascended a wide set of stone stairs that emptied beyond an archway into a large room. There was no sign of any guards up here, so the party jogged to the next door.

This door led to a hallway, lined with doors. Ayu motioned for everyone to fan out and check each one. Each person opened a door, but did not see Enwyn's gear. They moved on to the next set of doors. Each one was a bust, but Morrigan's door was locked.

"Warden, here," she called. "This one is locked. I think you may have the key."

Ayu grabbed the ring off her belt and strode over to Morrigan. She tried each key until she found the one that unlocked the door. She gently pushed it open, but it was dark inside. Morrigan summoned a magelight, letting it float inside the room. It was an armoury of sorts. Abandoned weapons and armour littered the floor and weapon racks. Enwyn's eyes grew larger in recognition.

"My sword!" she cried, practically falling over herself to get to it. "It's here!" She looked around for a moment and spied her shield. The Cousland family crest stood out proudly on the front of it.

"Perhaps we should get you in some kind of armor. There is enough here to make into some kind of protection." Ayu started picking though the room, handing Enwyn different pieces of chain armor to wear. "At least this way, you aren't as exposed if we run into harm."

Enwyn nodded and put the armor on over her rags. She belted her sword around her waist and attached her shield to her back. Ayu handed her a helmet that would obscure her face. She took it, slipping the metal over her head and adjusting it to sit comfortably.

Ayu smiled. "That's better and now they won't be able to recognize you either. Let's be on our way. I'm sure Anora is beside herself already." Ayu walked to the open door and into the hallway. The rest of the party followed, leaving the magelight to sputter out behind them.

One more check of the last of the doors, revealed a hallway that looked oddly familiar. They were back on the path to Anora's room. The party moved quickly, Alistair or Zevran helping Enwyn along. She was too weak to walk quickly on her own. Erlina was waiting outside Anora's door when they approached.

"You're back!" Erlina cried. "Oh thank the Maker!"

Anora's voice could be heard on the other side of the door. "The Warden? Has she finally returned?"

Ayu licked her lips slowly, walking toward the door. It opened without trouble this time and Anora stood on the other side. She was dressed in a guard's uniform, a helmet already firmly planted on her head.

"My thanks," Anora said, holding her hands together in front of her. "We must go quickly and avoid notice. If Howe's people find me, they'll kill me and my father's people will only bring me back to the castle . . Where I might also be killed."

Ayu looked to Alistair. "You need to lead us through. I am no longer in disguise, but the rest of you are. Pretend that I am your prisoner, just as before, until we're out of the estate."

"Are you sure, Ayu?" he questioned. "I am . . No leader."

Ayu saw the faintest of smiles on Anora's lips under her helmet, but pretended she saw nothing. "I will be right behind you. I can give you direction as we move along." The elf placed her hands on her fellow Warden's shoulders and looked him in the eye. She gave him a reassuring nod and moved beside Enwyn.

"Who is that?" Anora asked, glaring, a touch of panic in her voice. "How many of you were there before?"

Quick on her feet, before Enwyn could utter a word, Ayu stood slightly in front of her. "She met us in the dungeons. Erlina did not know of my plan," she looked at the elven woman and met an angry stare. "I knew she could only procure so many uniforms, and taking on an entire manse of guards was a daunting task. So I asked her to meet us inside. She is well versed in sneaking in places that we, as a group, cannot."

Anora's eyes narrowed as she looked at the women. "Very well . . . Pray tell me, what is your name?"

Ayu's hackles rose and she jumped in again. "She is mute my lady. We - don't know her name but she reads lips and uses her hands to communicate." Ayu looped her arm through Enwyn's and felt the woman relax into her side. "We've been calling her Deeta. She don't seem opposed."

Enwyn bobbled her head in agreement beside Ayu and squeezed the elf's arm in silent thanks.

"But she carries the Cousland crest on her shield . . ." Anora pressed.

"Her payment," Ayu signed. "She could take anything that she wanted that we found along the way as payment."

"Very well," Anora conceded, with a sideways glance.

"Alistair," the elf motioned the man forward down the hall, "if you please."

The warrior took point and walked down the hall. Ayu, Enwyn, Anora and Erlina clustered behind him. Morrigan and Zevran brought up the rear, expecting trouble. The party moved swiftly down the hall. Once they reached the room with the dias, both Wardens spotted a group of guards standing at attention, waiting for them. Alistair shot a quick glance back at Ayu.

"I see them. Our ruse isn't going to work anymore," the elf moved ahead to walk beside Alistair as they passed through the doorway. "They've been waiting for us."

As Ayu stepped to the front, a woman in red, heavy plate armor stepped forward out of the line of guards. "Warden! In the name of the regent, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Rendon Howe and his men-at-arms. Surrender and you may be shown mercy."

Ayu recognized Ser Cauthrien from their meeting at Arl Eamon's estate. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. She took a breath, thinking her next words out carefully. She at least wanted the others to get out safely if she could help it. "I am only here to free Anora, whom I was told was being held captive."

Ser Cauthrien snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. The queen isn't being held prisoner here or anywhere else. Her father wouldn't stand for such a thing."

Ayu's stomach roiled. Her eyes flashed for a split second and time seemed to slow, as her mind raced. Something's not right. 'This doesn't feel right.'

I know, Child.

'I mean is it a trap? Surely they must know that Anora is here. Or what if they actually don't . . And Howe did take her without them knowing? But Loghain wouldn't let her out of his sight . . So maybe he does know . . And that simpering smile earlier? What was that all about? Anora has something planned for Alistair - I mean he is the dead king's brother . . . Maybe I should let you out and you can kill them all with a roar. . .'

No Child. You do not truly wish that . . . As fun as it would be . . No. No I will not. We will keep all our senses awake. I do smell a trap . . .

'Maybe I should force Anora's hand. Yes.'

"Why don't you ask her for yourself?" Ayu said aloud and moved to stand aside, crossing her arms over her chest. "Anora?"

"What?" Cauthrien shouted.

Anora made her way to the front of the group. "Ser Cauthrien! Praise the Maker you're here. This - this brigand tried to kidnap me." The woman was wringing her hands in front of her.

"You scheming wench! Back-stabbing . . Two-timing bitch!" Ayu locked her lips together to stem the flow of profanity from her mouth. She was vibrating she was so mad. But she had to know what side Anora was on, and it was not theirs.

"Unbelievable," Cauthrien muttered. "Seize them! Loghain wants the Warden dead or alive!"

"NO!" Ayu shouted with all the force of Mythal within her. The power of her shout made the guards stop in place for a moment.

"Or what?" Cauthrien sneered. "I am not afraid of you elf."

Ayu screwed her face up for an instant. For the good of her friends she couldn't let her temper fly. "If I come willingly, will you let the others go? They are no threat to you. I am." The Warden's face was set in a hard determined line. Alistair was about to protest beside her, but she grabbed his wrist hard and he closed his mouth. Her mark was aflame on her back.

Ser Cauthrien pondered over her request for a few moments. "Very well. Surrender to me and the others may leave."

"Unharmed."

"Unharmed. You have my word as a soldier. We would capture you, but how many good men would I lose in the process? Having you come quietly is a price I am willing to bargain for."

"Then we are agreed." Ayu gave her bow and arrows to Zevran. She slowly walked forward, her hands held out and in front of her. "Now let them go and I will let you tie me."

Ser Cauthrien jerked her head at Alistair. "Go. All of you and quickly now."

The party gave Ayu a sidelong glance but the elf gave a slow, small nod, silently telling her friends that it would be okay. Once they left the room, Zevran could hear Ayu grunt as the guards slammed into her. The knot in his stomach grew, but he knew better than to act out. Ayu had given them this chance to escape and he wasn't going to foolishly waste it.

Anora stuck with the party as they hurriedly made their way to Arl Eamon's estate. Once there, they burst into his sitting room. Alistair throwing the door open and striding into the room. Arl Eamon got up from his chair and saw the angry look on everyone's faces.

"What is going on?" he asked tossing his book on his desk nearby.

Anora came to the front of the group, holding her hands in front of her. She started wringing them slightly as she began to talk. "Eamon! I may have done a terrible thing."

Morrigan stood with her hands on her hips, Wynne standing just behind her. "Barely met, and already she betrays us. She and my mother would get along famously."

"What in Andraste's name has happened? Are you alright?" Eamon questioned in a serious tone.

"The Warden has been captured." Anora said with a feign panic in her voice.

Alistair and Zevran both cast a glare at the queen. Oghren cleared his throat noisily before Alistair spoke up. "And this may have been your fault," he said sarcastically. "Maybe? Perhaps?" The assassin and dwarf exchanged amused looks.

"What?" Eamon exclaimed. "How could this happen?"

"Nevermind that," Anora was wringing her hands more and more feverishly. "The question is, how to free her. Cauthrien will take her to Fort Drakon. Getting in will be no small feat."

"An unnecessary feat if someone had told the truth . . ." Zevran muttered to Oghren quietly. He was gripping Ayu's bow so tightly, the wood was creaking under his touch. "I may just have to assassinate the queen for free . . . . I promise we'll get you out of there Ayu. Hang on."

Leliana and Alistair stood in front of the door to Fort Drakon. Alistair looked up at the towering stone building. "Do you really think this will work Leliana?"

"Yes," she quietly replied. "The Maker has told me so. Just let me do the talking." Leliana flashed the warrior a grin and walked toward the door. She rapped on the heavy wooden door. She took a step backward and smoothed the front of her chanty robes. "You have the cookies Sten made?"

"I have them right here," Alistair replied, holding up a basket covered in bright cloth.

A pair of guards finally opened the door and stepped outside. "State your business," one of them said in a flat tone.

"Why yes sir," Leliana sang cheerily. "I am one of the cloistered sisters of the chanty, and we are selling cookies for the orphaned children of the Blight."

"Sister, sister," the other man held his hand up. "We cannot purchase your cookies."

Leliana pouted. "Oh but I was so hoping . . I haven't been able to sell any," she took the basket from Alistair and lifted the cloth halfway. "They do smell so good . . . And they are delicious, plus," she batted her eyes, "they are for a good cause." Leliana sniffed the air just above the basket. "Mmmmmm"

"Oh why don't you just buy some from the poor woman," the other guard said. "Help the poor thing out." He reached into his belt and fished out a few coppers, handing them to Leliana.

The other guard rolled his eyes slightly and sighed. "Fine, fine here." He too brought out a handful of coppers to hand to Leliana. She passed the coppers to Alistair and began fishing out the cookies for the men.

"Mmm these do smell good," the first guard held a cookie to his nose smelling deep. "Thank you sister." He turned to his compatriot. "I am eating one of these now." He bit a big chunk out of the cookie, which prompted the other guard to do the same.

"Yeah, one cookie on duty can't hurt right?"

Both men swallowed their bites of cookie and their eyes rolled back into their heads. They collapsed to the stone in a heap.

"Good, Morrigan's sleeping potion worked," Leliana knelt down and checked one of the men. "Help me pull them out of sight Alistair." She looked to the corner of the Fort behind them. She made a come-hither motion with her hand before grabbing her guard by the feet and dragging him out of the U shaped entryway. Alistair grabbed the other guard, setting the basket on the sleeping man's chest and pulled him around the corner too.

"Bring our Warden back," he muttered just loud enough. "She's in your hands now."

Zevran trotted toward the front door on silent feet. He held one of his daggers in his hand as he entered the front door. Quietly closing it behind him, Zevran darted toward the wall, hiding behind a set of decorative armor. He peered around the shoulder of the armor and watched as a pair of guards walked down the hall across from him. Once they were far enough away he silently ran down the hall and slipped into one of the side rooms. He waited for the guards to move a little farther before sneaking out again to the next intersection in the hall. The guards turned to the left and he waited behind a large, smooth stone pillar. Peering around it he watched as the guards walk down the hall. There was another hallway to Zevran's right as well as behind him. He darted down the right coming into a large training room. Training dummies, scarred and battered, stood on wooden stands, scattered around the floor. He ran up to one and stood in front of it. Guards were on the far side of the room.

Zevran quickly glanced around. He had to use his surroundings to his advantage. He spotted a stone staircase that curled up to a wooden door on the wall. It had a nice tall railing that he knew he could hide behind. Zevran bode his time until the guards were looking the other way and he ran, from dummy to dummy, finally reaching the staircase. He crouched down and slowly moved up the stairs, keeping tight to the stone. He sat on a stair to give himself a moment, when he heard the rattle of the doorknob. His heart quickened in momentary panic and he dove to the other side. He was forced to stand so the opening door wouldn't hit him and alert the guards on the other side. He held his breath as the two men noisily started to walk down the stairs. They were deep in conversation and the shifting metal plates on their armor made it easy for Zevran to slip behind them and through the door while it swung shut on its own weight.

On the other side of the door, Zevran could start to smell the copper of spilled and drying blood. He could faintly hear the screams of the tortured. He blew out this breath and placed a hand on the cool stone of the wall beside him. "Ayu, where are you?" he thought.

I am here.

Her sultry voice resonated within his body. Zevran closed his eyes and took another deep breath. "Where, mio amore? Where are you?"

I am here. She repeated. Follow your heart and you will find me. Her ethereal voice faded away into the cold of the tower around him.

Zevran opened his eyes, his tattoo itching under his chest-piece. He slowly moved forward, his heart beating strong in his chest. "I will find you," he uttered under his breath and moved forward toward an open archway.

He paused, craning his head around the doorway to look for guards, but he found none. Half jogging into the chamber, he noticed devices of torture: racks and iron maidens, chains and spikes and whips. He blew out a breath continuing to jog across the blood-stained floor. He noticed another wide set of stairs leading upward and his heart quickened. This was the way, he knew it. Taking the steps two at a time he ascended them quickly. There was only an open archway at the top of the stairs and he slipped through it, hugging the darkened wall on one side. Zevran waited for a heartbeat as he listened to the room ahead. He could make out the distant sounds of screaming and crying, but there was no immediate danger.

The followed a hallway on his left and his tattoo began burning, "Not this way then," he thought. He went to the right; his heart quickened just enough for him to notice. The room he entered was silent, save for the dripping of blood of a fresh body left shattered on a table. Zevran's eyes scanned the room but the torturer was not around. He broke into a run and sped to the other side of the room. He darted through the far door just as he heard booted steps returning on the stone. He silently closed the door and leaned against it for a moment. He was breathing heavily from his sprint but a few deep breaths brought it under control.

Zevran made his way to another set of steps leading upward. His heart beat faster as he touched the cool stone wall beside him. "I am coming Ayu. Hang in there, yes?" He started making his way up the stairs. This was a much longer set and it took the elf a few minutes to ascend all the way to the top. He slowly pulled open the door and heard two guards walking down the hallway ahead. The footsteps were coming toward him. He looked to the sides and each held a small alcove with a suit of armor on a dummy. The assassin quickly jumped behind one of the dummies and stood hidden behind it quietly.

"What does Loghain want with the elf?" one guard said to the other as they came down the hall.

The other guard scoffed. "What do you think a man wants with a little elf wench?" He shook his head, smirking. "She's lucky that we have orders not to touch her. Mm mmm, what I wouldn't do to that piece of ass." He shook a finger at his companion while opening the heavy door. "Remember, knife-eared bitches are only good for one thing. Well if they can cook, maybe two."

The first guard stopped and stared, agape. "You are seriously fucked up man."

"Get moving."

Both guards walked through the door as Zevran was shaking with rage behind the armor. He could feel the heat rise to his face and he gritted his teeth until he could hear them in his ears. "I need to get her out of here, and fast!" Once the door swung shut, Zevran came out of hiding and hurriedly made his way down the hall. Giant archways lined the hall and in each one he saw rooms with large cells. As he jogged down the hall, the elf looked left and right looking for Ayu. The cells lay empty, or were piled with bodies of the dead. He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach but he pressed on around the gentle curve.

Zevran finally spotted an occupied cell. This one held a man, sitting against the back wall in his small clothes. He brightened when he saw Zevran and waved him over in earnest. The elf sighed and trotted into the room.

"Hey, hey," the prisoner whispered, "let me out of here huh? Come on . . . Please? Help a friend out?"

Zevran said naught but came around to the front of the man's cell. That's when he saw her.

Ayu was laying on the cold stone in nothing but her small clothes. Her hair was unkempt and only partially braided; the loose hair fanning out around her head. The assassin forgot all about the other prisoner and ran to the door of her cell. Her eyes were half open and her mouth lay slack. She was breathing but it was very shallow. Zevran began to panic and whispered her name. "Ayu! Ayu?" he slammed his hand onto the bars of her cell. "Ayu! Look at me!" She didn't move.

Zevran dropped to his knees and pulled his lockpicks out of his belt. He quickly went to work, moving the picks back and forth until the heard the click of the locking mechanism. He bolted to his feet and wrenched the door open, flinging it aside. The elf knelt beside the Warden and gently began to lift her off the floor. She didn't respond to him. He noticed then, that her body had been painted with blood runes.

"Oh, no no no," he said softly to her.

"There's no point in saving that one," the prisoner piped up, gripping the bars between the cells. "They took her out fighting and she came back like that. She's gone. Leave her and save me."

Zevran shot him a glare, tightening his jaw. He looked lovingly at the elf in his arms.

Propping her up in one arm, Zevran began to rub and smudge the marks on her skin. He spat in his hand and continued to rub until they started to fade or the form was lost. The stains they left on her skin would not come off, but he'd done enough damage to them.

As he held her close, Ayu began to blink slowly and lick her dry, cracked lips.

"There you go," Zevran whispered to her. "Come back to me."

"Zevran . . .?" Ayu croaked, her arms starting to move around as though she was drunk.

"I am here." Zevran gently pinned her arms down with his free hand. "I told you I would find you," he softly smiled, picking loose hairs off her clammy face, "but I don't think you were listening."

Ayu smiled weakly. "I knew . . . I knew." She blinked her eyes slowly. "We need to get out of here."

Zevran nodded and slowly helped her to her feet. Ayu was unsteady on her feet and kept a grip on her lover for balance. "Do you know where they put your gear mio amore?"

Ayu put a hand to her forehead. "It still feels like I'm in a fog . . " she paused, thinking. "Umm a chest . . They put everything in a chest. Ah, by the wall."

Zevran looked toward the corner of the room. He spied a squat, rough hewn chest and helped Ayu over to it.

"Hey! Hey what about me?" the prisoner whispered loudly. "Get me outta here!"

Zevran sat Ayu down on the chest and went back to the man's cell. He knelt on one knee and worked his picks in the lock until it opened. He let the door fall open as he stood up. "There," he tucked his picks away in his belt, his voice flat. "You're free. Now get out of my sight."

The man scrambled to his feet and raced out of the cell. "Thank you, thank you!" he was elated, then his face suddenly fell. "But how am I supposed to get out of here?"

Zevran looked at the man with annoyance as he stuffed his picks into the leather pouch. "That is not my problem. You wanted out of your cell and you're out. I did my part."

"But, but, but . ." the man stammered.

Zevran ran a hand through his hair. "Is there no weapons or armor laying around that you could use as a disguise to be a guard? That surely would get you out." The elf walked back over to Ayu, still sitting on the chest, her head in her hands.

"Oh, ah yes, yes!" The man ran off to loot the remains of bits of armor laying around in a neighbouring room.

Zevran knelt on the floor between Ayu's knees and took her cheeks in his hands. He angled her face to look at him. "Ayu, are you alright?"

She nodded in response. "Yes, I'll be okay. I'm just foggy and have a headache."

"Okay," he gently kissed her forehead. "Up you go. Let's get you dressed." Zevran stood and hauled Ayu to her feet. The woman stood leaning against the wall, watching as her lover opened the chest.

He grabbed Ayu's gear, handing each piece to her. The Warden began to dress and Zevran helped her where it was needed to hasten the endeavour. Once Ayu was dressed, Zevran slipped her daggers into her boots. He grabbed the back of her head, dropping a kiss on her lips. He took her hand in his and led her over to the doorway. Peering around the corner, he palmed a dagger and tightened his hand around the grip. The guards had not returned yet.

Darting into the hallway, Zevran and Ayu ran down towards the far end of the hall, opposite from where Zevran had initially come. Behind them, the pair heard booted feet starting to come down the hallway. Zevran pulled Ayu into a nearby cell room and pinned her against the wall with his body.

"Well now, haven't we been here before?" he asks the elven woman silkily. Ayu smiled and kissed him briefly as the footsteps got louder and louder in the hall. The pair held their breath as the guards walked passed them. They waited for a moment as the guards stopped briefly at the end of the hall before turning back toward them. Zevran quickly pulled Ayu to the other wall so they wouldn't be spotted as the guards walked by. They waited and the assassin watched the backs of the guards as they went back down the hall.

They slipped behind the pair of guards and made their way down to the end of the hall. There was a narrow set of stairs set into the wall heading down and Zevran yanked Ayu along after him. The pair reached the bottom of the stairs and they jogged into a small round room nestled on one side. Inside the room was a wide wooden ladder. Zevran pushed Ayu up first and he followed behind her. The top of the ladder emptied out onto a small balcony. Zevran, without thinking about it, climbed up on the railing and leapt to the adjacent rooftop. He quickly turned, holding his arms out to Ayu.

"Come," he gestured for her to jump, "you can make it. It's not far."

Ayu shook her head, her eyes growing wide. "I - I don't know Zev . ."

"You can do it. I'll catch you. You won't fall," Zevran urged.

Ayu ran her fingers through her hair, interlocking her fingers behind her neck. She started to pace back and forth on the small balcony.

"Come Ayu," Zevran urged motioning her to him. "There is not much time. You can do it. You can do anything. You have taken on death itself and emerged the victor. This is a small thing. Come."

Ayu licked her lips, dropping her hands and walked to the far side of the balcony. She began to run to where Zevran had leapt off. She placed a booted foot on the railing and pushed off. She made the jump, the balls of her feet landing on the stone below her. Zevran reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her into him.

"See," he chuckled. "I knew you could do it."

Ayu smirked and gave him a gentle shove. Zevran grabbed her hand and led her over to the edge of the rooftop. He looked over the side and dropped down onto the roof below. He held up his hands to the Warden. Ayu sat on the edge and pushed herself off the roof and into Zevran's waiting arms. Zevran saw a peaked roof off to one side and made his way over to it, dragging Ayu along behind him. Moving fluidly, the assassin took large steps up one side and down the other. Ayu followed him, her boots scuffing on the rough stone tiles. She bounded down the other side and onto a curving walkway behind a thick stone wall with crenelations cut into it.

Zevran was peering over the side through one of the crenelations. Ayu walked up to him, looking around on the walkway. "What do we do now?" She asked. "We are out of rooftops it seems."

Zevran pointed at the foot of the wall beneath them. "There. We can jump into that hay pile and hide if any guards walk passed."

Ayu peered over the side of the wall. She spied a large cart filled to the brim with hay. A large pile of it sat behind the cart and that was what Zevran was pointing at. She looked at the assassin with a questioning look.

"We can make it. The pile is tall enough to cushion our fall." Zevran pulled himself up onto the edge of the stone wall. He looked to and fro, and seeing no guards, he pushed himself off. He flipped onto his back as he fell and disappeared into the hay with a soft thump.

Ayu held her breath as she watched the elf fall and then disappear. What seemed like an eternity passed before Zevran sprang up from the hay, bits of straw clinging to his hair and armor. He looked in either direction before holding his arms up to her. Ayu's heart was beating out of her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment to steady herself. The Warden pulled herself up onto the wall and looked down at Zevran. She saw him nod reassuringly and she stepped off.

The wind rushed in her ears and for the briefest moment, Ayu wondered if this is what it felt like to fly. Just as she had watched Zevran do, Ayu rolled onto her back. Her hair whipped up around her face in a tornado of red. Her disheveled braid gave up, letting all her hair free. As suddenly as she was starting her fall, it ended in a torrent of hay and darkness. She felt Zevran's arms around her and his breath in her ear. She was panting from the exhilaration of her fall and the realization that she had survived. Zevran shifted his body so he lay on top of her, his arms still holding her tight. The pair was enveloped in the hay as they could hear the clips of horseshoes on the stone road beside them. Zevran put his finger to his lips before returning his arm around her body. The sound of the horseshoes became quieter as the rider passed them. Zevran eyed the Warden seductively as he pulled her body closer to his. He brought his lips down to hers in a passionate kiss. He ran his fingers gently over her marking, sending a tingle through her body that ran straight to her loins. She arched her back, pressing into his chest. Zevran responded with a low moan, intensifying his kiss.

Their momentary bliss was suddenly shattered by three raps of a hoof beside the hay pile. Zevran popped his head up slightly so he could see through the straw. Grinning, he jumped up in the hay sending it flying everywhere. Yanking Ayu to her feet beside him, he smiled at her. Lothren stood before them, waiting.

"I may not be a knight in shining armor," Zevran gave Ayu a boost onto Lothren's back, "but I do have a noble steed."

Lothren shook his mane and held his head high, his nostrils flaring. He certainly seemed to agree.

Ayu laughed quietly and held her hand out to Zevran. She helped him onto the horse behind her. Ayu wheeled Lothren's head around and urged him forward. The horse broke into a gallop, his hooves clattering on the stones. The trio bolted out of the Fort Drakon grounds from under a stone archway hidden by bushes and leafy trees.

Ayu angled Lothren toward Arl Eamon's estate sending him into that direction. A shadow swept across the horse's neck and Ayu looked above them to see Roval gliding just above them. The bird flew just ahead of Lothren and when the bird turned, the horse turned. When the horse reached the market, he had to slow his gait but was quick to nip those blocking his path or moving too slowly.

Zevran pointed toward the gates of Denerim. "We must get out of the city," he said beside her ear. "We have a camp outside the gates."

"If you say so Zev." Ayu called back to him.

Ayu attempted to slow Lothren before they ran right into the thick, heavy gates, but the horse would not listen. Roval let out a cry and in a heartbeat the gates swung open. Alistair and Oghren pulled the doors, opening them for the trio. Roval glided through with Lothren right behind her. Once the horse was through with his quarry, Alistair and Oghren pushed the doors closed again.

"Well that was a flight from the Fort," Ayu remarked smirking. "What happened to our dear sweet Anora?" Ayu did not hide the snide venom from her voice.

Zevran chuckled behind her. "Oh that's quite the story."

"I'm all ears."