26 Attraction

The sun was still high above the horizon when they made their camp. Amara with constant touch stayed quite aware of her surroundings. As much as she enjoyed the constant contact from Leliana and Morrigan the impracticality of it frustrated her. She sat on a log Sten had brought over to the fire. Leliana sat beside her, her bare leg touched the side of her hand as she polished her bow.

"It went away the first time; surely you'll get some reprieve tonight." The bard's voice was light as she watched Amara beside her.

"Yes, I hope so." Amara nodded with a small smile. To her surprise Sten had dragged over a second log and sat upon it. He stared at her intently. "What is it?" Amara asked, a little uneasy with his silent attention.

"I have seen you fight and I find you are exceptional for a human." He cleared his gruff voice as he continued. "There is a technique I can show you that may help." Amara stared at him in shock. This was the most he had spoken since he joined them.

"I'm listening." Amara leaned forward, her hand breaking contact with Leliana's leg. The bard noticed and quickly shifted her body closer. She watched as Amara's eyes closed slightly at the touch.

"Take up your sword." The Qunari leaned his elbow on his knee as he watched Amara draw her blade. "Now to us, our blade is our soul. Our body and mind control where it goes and so we master ourselves." Sten stood up and drew his sword. "Follow me."

Amara followed him to the edge of a grassy clearing. The thunder in her mind tugged at her consciousness once more. She shook her head to clear it.

"Now do as I do." The Qunari held his with two hands before him. He closed his eyes and took a centering breath. His feet danced a series of steps as he swung his blade in a simple pattern of sweeps, thrusts and blocks. The blade whispered as it cut through the air, his movements were graceful and controlled. Amara recognised it as a technique he used when he fought alongside her.

Slowly and awkwardly at first she followed his movements. The sensation calling her fogged her mind making her stumble the steps. She groaned in frustration as she started again from the beginning. Once again she followed his movement. She felt the tugging in her mind as her body moved.

"Concentrate Warden. Command yourself and your blade." Amara took another centering breath and worked her way through the pattern. As her body learnt the steps her mind found a degree of focus. The feeling still sought her out but she found could now prevent herself from seeking it back. After several more tries she managed to get through the whole pattern without distraction, her movements fluid and graceful, like a slow dance. After her feet found the last position she looked up and found her companions gathered about watching. Sweat misted her brow but her mind was much more focussed. Sten gave her a sidelong glance and grunted his approval. She inclined her head in thanks as he walked across camp once more taking his customary place of solitude.

Amara's eyes found Morrigan by chance. The witch leant against a tree as she watched her across the way. Their eyes lingered in each other's stare before she drew her golden gaze away and walked deeper into the trees. Amara's heart wanted to follow her, but she held back. She drew a ragged breath as she watched the witch walk. "Just friends Amara." She mumbled. She was definitely feeling like her old self again. She shook her head to herself and walked back to Leliana by the fire.

Leliana smiled at her as she sat down. "You are amazing to watch."

Amara laughed softly at her praise. "He made that look easy but it took me quite a few tries to get it right." Amara gave Leliana a sidelong glance. "Thank you for today." She played with a blade grass in her hands as she watched the bard. "I don't know how you do it but you always seem to know exactly what I need."

Leliana reddened and gave Amara a soft laugh. "I know we haven't known each other for long but I feel like I've known you for longer. I feel comfortable around you."

Amara gave her a gentle nudge. "I feel the same." She smiled and looked at the bard some more. Her mind wondered back to their comfortable touch as they walked and the warmth that surrounded her whenever she was close by. Her eyes followed the line of the bard's profile next to her, starting at her graceful neck, leading to a small round chin. Amara looked at her lips and found they were full and soft. She felt a thrum go through her as she followed the line of a straight nose leading up to Leliana's clear blue eyes. Her perfect brows leading to a smooth forehead. Amara swallowed hard as she stared while appreciating the beauty next to her.

She watched as Leliana's face drew close, her hand coming up to gently caress her cheek. "Are you alright?" Amara blinked, remembering herself. Leliana's melodic voice snapped her out of her gawking.

Embarrassed she flushed, her eyes shot to the dirt at her feet. "Uh huh." She nodded.

"Is it calling you again?"

At this a chuckle burst from Amara's lips, her embarrassment faded as she mastered her emotions. "No my dear, quite a completely different distraction." She smiled and gave Leliana little a wink as she looked ahead once more.

Leliana's breath caught in her chest. She swallowed. "Oh!"

Amara leaned on her playfully and laughed some more. "Where's a cold shower when you need one." She mumbled under her smile.

Leliana slapped at her arm. "Amara!" They both burst out giggling.

Morrigan walked through the trees as her eyes scanned the ground for useful plants. She shook her head trying to clear the Amara's graceful movements from her mind, the fluidity of her body and the stillness of her face as she focused. Her heart hammered and she drew a shuddering breath as she looked about her. The reprieve from the constant walking on the road helped her appreciate just being able to walk amongst the trees again. She closed her eyes and tilted her head toward the sky feeling the soft whispering of the wind on her face. Naturally she thought of Amara again. The wild hunt, she had called her. A smiled crept to the witch's face. Hmm… she certainly knew how to make me feel good. She entertained her thoughts a little longer. She thought of that kiss she gave the Warden, quite bold, she mused to herself. She wondered what it would be like to make love to her. A thrill went through her body, making her lips tremble and the flesh between her legs hum with warmth. The feeling surprised her and she scoffed at herself shaking her head out of her reverie. She rubbed her hands on her face as she blushed, thanking the gods that the Warden wasn't near. Friend or no, she didn't think she could resist that charm at the moment.

…

Amara hesitantly made her way to Sten. Despite his tutelage earlier she knew he preferred to be alone. At her approach his head slowly turned to her then stared out once more. Amara stopped two feet short away from him, her foot resting on a small rock, her arms crossed to her chest. Silence lingered for a moment before she spoke.

"You said something earlier that caught my attention."

"What of it?" He refused to look at her.

"Your sword. You spoke as though it was a part of you."

Sten looked at his blade by his side. "This." He drew it and stared at it. "This is just an empty tool." He sheathe it once more and shook his head. "My true blade I've carried with me since I came to the Beresaad. I lost it after falling to Darkspawn. Were I to return to my people without it I would be killed on sight. They would see me as a soulless thing."

"Where did you last see it?" Amara crouched on the ground clasping her hands together to stop them shaking. Despite his quiet and aloof nature she was wary.

"Somewhere near Lake Calenhad, where I fell along with my brothers. Farmers found me and when they said they hadn't seen it I flew into a rage and panic killing them with my bare hands. They didn't have it."

Amara looked at him intently. "That's why you were imprisoned?"

The Qunari nodded. "I was in despair. I can never go back to my people like this."

Silence stretched between them. Amara heaved a sigh. "We will see the lake tomorrow. I will take a look around." Amara stood up and gave him sidelong glance. "We will find it."

"Those maybe empty words but I appreciate them." Amara nodded and turned back toward the fire.