Cassandra was crossing the yard on her way back from inspecting the newest batch of Inquisition recruits when Bull called her over.
"Seeker! Do you have time for a chat?" He had made himself comfortable on the bench outside the tavern, with Harding at his side.
The little scout had both feet in his lap, and he was massaging her calves, his huge hands moving with astonishing delicacy. When Cassandra approached, Harding quickly sat up, shrugging apologetically and muttering something about tired feet.
"I have a few minutes." Cassandra smiled at the two of them. She couldn't help it; they were just so cute together. "Josephine is expecting me, but she won't mind if I'm a little late."
"I won't keep you long." Bull squinted up into the sunlight. "Just wanted to ask if you've got news from the boss."
"Alec sent a raven." Cassandra pulled up a block of wood so she could sit down. "From what he said, they won't be back any time soon. They're headed for Vigil's Keep right now."
"The Warden stronghold?" Harding frowned. "Huh? Why would they want to go there?"
"Probably just enjoying their vacation." Bull grinned. "Can't blame them, really. I bet they are having a really good time together." His voice was dripping with innuendo.
Cassandra cleared her throat. "Warden Howe invited them, I believe. He and Alec have been good friends since Adamant. Besides, it's not every day you get a chance to meet the Hero of Ferelden. I have to admit I envy them a little. Not all Grey Wardens are like Blackwall, you know. Or Rainier, I should say." She glared over at the stables, not bothering to hide her disgust for the man who had masqueraded as a Warden and deceived them all.
"Aw, come on, Seeker." Bull's face had turned serious. "You ever going to let him off the hook for what he did?"
"A coward who abandoned his men?" She allowed an icy edge to creep into her voice. "Who ordered the slaughter of innocents, for coin? Not likely."
"He did try to atone for his sins." Harding sounded hesitant, as if she was afraid Cassandra would direct her disapproval at her. "Surely that has to count for something."
"You think so?" Cassandra snorted contemptuously. "A man who truly aspired to be righteous would not lie. He would earn respect, not steal the respect due another."
"And yet Alec allowed him to stay." Bull put his arm protectively around Harding who shrugged him off with an irritated grimace.
"Alec is far too kind-hearted. If it were up to me…" Cassandra didn't finish the sentence. It wasn't her place to criticize the Inquisitor, even if she was certain he was wrong.
Still, that night when she was lying in Cullen's arms, she suddenly found herself assailed by doubts. True, Rainier had lied to them, assumed the identity of a better man to hide his past sins. And yet... he'd been ready to pay the price for his crimes eventually. He'd given himself up to the authorities, and if it hadn't been for the Inquisition's timely intervention, he'd have been executed for his deeds. Cassandra sighed deeply.
"What's on your mind, love?" Of course Cullen had noticed how distracted she was.
"I was just thinking about Blackwall. Rainier." She huddled closer to him, craving his warmth. "I wonder why Alec chose to give him a second chance."
"He asked me for advice, you know." Cullen's arm tightened around her shoulders in silent acknowledgement of her need. "At the prison, in Val Royeaux, before we arranged for Rainier's release."
"And what did you tell him?" If there was one person whose moral judgment Cassandra genuinely respected, it was Cullen, and it seemed Alec felt the same.
Cullen sighed so deeply she felt his chest vibrate. "That it wasn't easy. What Rainier did to his men… it was despicable. It's not something you can just wave off. And yet, he fought at our side. He lived as a Warden for years, doing good. I told Alec that it was up to him, that I couldn't tell him what to do." He laughed once, in a self-deprecating manner. "I'm afraid I wasn't very helpful."
"You gave him your honest opinion, as was your duty." Cassandra was unwilling to let him take any blame for this mess. "Alec is the Inquisitor. Someone has to make the hard decisions."
"True. But I don't envy him." Cullen sounded thoughtful. "I still don't know what I would have done about Rainier. Maybe Alec was right to give him another chance. Maybe we all deserve a little leniency. After all, we all have done things we regret."
"You're not comparing yourself to him, I hope." She had a hard time hiding her indignation. "You're nothing like him."
He chuckled. "Ah, Cassandra. How will I ever manage to live up to your good opinion of my character?"
"You're already doing it, every minute of every day." Her throat felt far too tight. "I know you, Cullen, and I love you just as you are."
"And I love you." He kissed her softly. "Thank you for believing in me. I promise I'll do my best to deserve it."
Their week in Ostwick had flown by far too quickly, the way those things were wont to do. In retrospect, it all seemed a blur to Alec: smiling faces, full of love; long, lazy evenings by the fireside; wild rides through the countryside with the younger folk; and sweet, sensual nights spent in Dorian's arms. It had been a wonderful week, and Alec had cried openly when they'd said their goodbyes. But at the same time, it was a relief to be on the road again, just the two of them, with long periods of blissful, companionable silence between them.
Persuading Dorian to take a detour to Vigil's Keep hadn't been easy, but Alec had been determined to take Nathaniel Howe up on his invitation to visit the Warden headquarters. He'd missed Nate, and he was eager to meet Megan Cousland in person. And really, they hardly had to go out of their way at all. A swift ship took them to Amaranthine, only half a day's ride from the Keep. And afterwards, they would simply take the North Road, which was well guarded and maintained.
Alec had written ahead to announce their visit, of course, so when they rode into the Keep's courtyard around noon, Nate was already waiting, greeting them enthusiastically. "Alec! It's great to see you. And you, too, Dorian." He called a stable hand over to take care of their horses. "Megan is out on patrol, but she should be back by nightfall. Your timing is perfect, as always."
The Keep was bustling with activity, scores of servants and traders mingling with the Wardens in their blue and silver armour. Nate took them to the kitchens for refreshments, then proceeded to show them around. They started with the impressive throne room and the chambers surrounding it, then made their way up to the upper floors.
"Ah, there you are." A young man was coming toward them on the winding staircase and Nate smiled tenderly at him. "Alec, Dorian, meet Carver Hawke."
"Inquisitor. It's an honour to have you here with us." Carver shook hands with Alec, then greeted Dorian just as politely.
Alec regarded the younger Hawke with considerable interest. He had the same black hair and dark skin as his brother, but there the resemblance ended. Carver Hawke's face was an open book, every emotion displayed as clearly as if it was written on his forehead. His eyes were a soft, dark brown, and his smile was sweet and guileless. And he was built like a true warrior. Alec was pretty sure he had never seen so much muscle on a human. His shoulders were wide and strong, and he exuded a raw, almost brute strength. And yet, Nate displayed a protective manner toward him that was utterly endearing.
At Nate's suggestion, Carver joined them on their tour of the Keep. Alec couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed Nate seemed in his lover's presence. They kept touching, nothing overtly sexual or suggestive, just two hands brushing against each other, or Nate's palm resting lightly on Carver's lower back as he followed him through a door. The two of them took turns explaining and pointing out interesting places. Both seemed to enjoy their role as guides. Carver was less knowledgeable about the Keep's history than Nate, but he, too, had a number of funny anecdotes to tell.
Vigil's Keep was a fascinating place, one of the oldest settlements in Ferelden according to Nate, originally built by the Avvar barbarians who had then ruled the country. The expert hand of dwarven craftsmen was clearly discernible in the stonework, and the living quarters were astonishingly comfortable. True, some of the younger Wardens were sleeping two to a room, but the senior Wardens had their own, well-appointed quarters. The Commander had a lovely suite of rooms on the Keep's uppermost floor, which she shared with Nate and Carver.
Dorian had been listening politely all through the tour, but his eyes truly lit up, when they entered the Keep's library.
Nate smiled at his expression. "My great-grandfather was a collector of rare books. I think you'll find many interesting old volumes here, but we're a bit less well-stocked when it comes to newer acquisitions. Either way, feel free to spend as much time here as you wish. It's a pleasant place."
Alec nodded. The library did look very inviting. Apart from the rows and rows of bookshelves lining the walls, it was furnished with heavy armchairs, placed in a half-circle around an open fireplace.
A young man with reddish-blonde hair and long, lanky limbs was lounging in one of them, reading a book. A tiny orange tabby cat was curled up in his lap. He wasn't carrying a staff, but he was quite obviously a mage. Even if his soft woollen robes hadn't given him away, Alec would have known from Dorian's reaction, his soft, sudden intake of breath, the way his spine straightened as he instinctively reached for his own power.
At the mage's feet, another man was sitting on the thick rug, resting his back against his legs in a position of casual intimacy, eyes half-closed as if he was dozing. No, not a man – an elf, and one of the most stunning members of his race Alec had ever come across. He had golden-brown skin, adorned by a number of beautifully executed tattoos, and long, silky blond hair that fairly begged to be petted. When the mage absent-mindedly ran his hand through it while turning a page, Alec felt almost envious.
"Anders, Zevran! Meet the Inquisitor and his companion, Dorian Pavus," Nate introduced them. "Anders is a fellow Warden, and one of the best healers you'll ever meet." Brushing off Anders' protests, he turned toward the elf.
But Zevran had already gotten to his feet, in a lithe, fluid motion that made everyone else in the room look slow and clumsy. "Zevran Arainai, formerly of the Antivan Crows, at your service, messeres." His pronounced Antivan accent only added to his exotic appeal.
He executed a small bow and flashed them a radiant smile. Alec and Dorian both smiled back, but, for all his obvious charm, Alec thought he could detect something darker and more menacing in the elf's demeanour, a suggestion of barely contained danger. Or maybe he was just imagining it, because Zevran had introduced himself as a trained assassin. It was hard to tell.
Anders seemed unwilling to abandon his book, so Nate bid him goodbye with an affectionate pat on his shoulder. "We'll see you at dinner. Megan should be back by then."
Alec yawned softly, wondering how much longer the tour would take, and Nate shot him an amused glance. "Had enough? Come on, there's one more thing I want to show you."
Down the stairs they went again, in the general direction of the kitchens, and Alec wondered where Nate was leading them, until he turned toward a pair of large doors and opened them with a flourish.
"Here you go. Our bathhouse." Nate smiled at their surprised faces. "You see, one of the best things about living at the Keep is that one of my ancestors spent a fortune on dwarven plumbing. We have hot and cold running water both down here and at the Commander's suite upstairs."
Taking a few hesitant steps inside, Alec inspected his surroundings, not bothering to hide his awed expression. "Maker, Nate. I'm jealous. If Skyhold had anything like this…"
Nate's grin widened. "Well, you might as well enjoy it while you're here. What do you think? We have a few hours left until dinnertime."
"Do you even have to ask?" With a happy sigh, Alec reached for the fastenings of his armour. "Lead the way."
Dorian couldn't believe his luck. A proper bathhouse, here, in the heart of Ferelden! It was a dream come true, and he intended to cherish every moment he had in there. Alec didn't seem in a hurry to leave either.
They all stripped down quickly and headed for the two stone basins set into the bathhouse's floor. Dorian made a beeline for the smaller one, which was filled with steaming hot water and had a low bench running around its walls. He wasn't in the mood for swimming. All he wanted was to relax, so he lay back and closed his eyes, occasionally sneaking a peek through his lashes at Carver who was standing right next to him, scrubbing his magnificent body all over with a rough cloth.
Sweet Andraste, he looks even bigger naked! Dorian had to fight the urge to whistle in appreciation. Carver's shoulders and arms were massive from wielding a two-hander, but the muscles in his back and stomach were just as impressive, nicely defined under smooth, olive skin. His cock was proportional, too, Dorian verified with a quick glance, thick and heavy and dark against his strong thigh. He was built almost like a Qunari, but far prettier. Under different circumstances, Dorian would have loved to get his hands on him, but as things were, he was more than content to lie back and admire the view.
His mood darkened when he heard a peal of laughter from the other, larger basin. Alec and Nate had started a water fight over there, and they were splashing and tussling like puppies – only in this scenario it was very much Alec who was the puppy, and Nate as the leader of the pack. And Alec liked it. Dorian knew him well enough to see it, the way he practically bared his throat when Nate wrestled him down, the breathless laughter, the unconscious flexing of his hips. Oh yes, Alec was enjoying himself tremendously, in more ways than one.
Dorian glared at them, unable to hide his annoyance, but of course they didn't even notice him, so caught up were they in their playful scuffle. He'd completely forgotten about Carver, until the younger Hawke slid into the water next to him with a pleased sigh.
"Ah. That's better. Can't get a moment's rest with those two mucking around like kids." He threw Dorian an unexpectedly perspicacious glance. "Don't worry." Tilting his head in their direction, he smiled that sweet, candid smile of his. "Nate wouldn't dream of touching Alec without your express permission."
"It seems to me that there is plenty of touching going on." Dorian knew he sounded grumpy, and he hated himself for it.
"You know what I mean." Carver cleared his throat. "Anyway, none of us would want to come between you two. I mean-" He blushed, as if he'd suddenly realized what exactly he'd said.
Almost against his will, Dorian grinned, but he quickly grew serious again. "What about you? Don't you mind?"
Carver stretched lazily, making Dorian swallow hard as muscles rippled all along his torso. "Nah. We've been with Megan for, what? Eight years? Nine? You can't do that without becoming a little flexible. It's fine. Nate may get a bit adventurous now and then, but he knows where he belongs. But hey, if you're really worried…"
He got to his feet, and before Dorian could guess what he was planning, he'd already stepped out of the tub and picked up one of the large water buckets that were lined up near the wall. Lifting it onto his shoulders with apparent ease, Carver carried it over to the adjacent basin, grinning back over his shoulder at Dorian. "I guess we'll have to cool them down a little."
And he poured the water in, all over Alec and Nate, ignoring their cries of outrage. It was icy cold, that much was obvious from their reaction, and Dorian couldn't hold back the laugh bubbling up inside him, not for the world.
"You shifty bastard!" Nate was out of the water already, chasing Carver over to the window, and Carver was running, crying for help, whenever he wasn't doubling up with laughter. He didn't really make much of an effort to get away, though. Dorian had little doubt that he could have outrun Nate, or at least stopped him from grabbing him in a headlock, if he'd wanted to, but instead Carver allowed himself to be dragged to the floor and held in a punishing grip. Nate was struggling to hold him down, torn between laughing and cursing, but let himself be appeased by a long, deep kiss. Carver arched into his embrace willingly, and Dorian was grateful that Nate dragged him out of the room before things could get even more heated.
"Maker's balls!" A shuddering Alec dropped into the tub next to him, looking rueful and chastened. "I guess it's true what they say about Wardens. Fight hard, play harder. I don't think I could keep up with them."
"Ah, amatus." With a pleased sigh, Dorian reached out to run his hand through Alec's wet hair, down to the nape of his neck. "You don't have to. All you need to be is you."
They shared a quick smile, doing their best to ignore the noises from next door. Clearly, Nate had forgiven Carver already.
Huggles and thanks to my awesome beta, suilven. :)