Chapter Six – The Templar and the Whore
The raven-haired assassin waited until a few minutes after he saw the girl close her window before he followed the boy down the hillside. He was truly scared. Had he really seen a blue light from that window – right before the Cathedral exploded? The blonde elf kid seemed to be unharmed, but something about the situation made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. However, the closer he got to his cell's hideout, the more he convinced himself that there was nothing to worry about. He grabbed an apple from a vendor's stall and ate it, and of course the shop owner didn't object when he saw the tattoos on his arms. He relieved himself against a back alley wall, thinking about what he would say to his superior just before entering the Crow cell's current safe house. It was disguised as a rug merchant's store.
"Andre! So glad to see you alive on this auspicious day! Have you heard what's happened?"
"Master Giordo! Good morning to you. And no, I have not heard any news yet."
"Well, it appears that for the past few years, our Reverend Mother has been an abomination and even had all the Templars and Priests bewitched! Lucky for us, the place blew up in the wee hours of the morning before any chantry goers attended their service. The mages are helping to find survivors and sheltering them in the Tower, can you believe it?"
"Interesting news. This means the Orlesians will no doubt send replacements soon."
"Yes, and hopefully they will be screened well this time. The Crows knew it was a bad sign when the Grand Cleric became so cozy with the Tevinters. Wouldn't be surprised if they were the ones who put her there in the first place. " He changed the subject abruptly. "How was your night? Tired of playing watchman yet?"
"It was uneventful, I suppose. Except for the whoreson who stayed in the little girl's room. We should tell Master Antoine's cell to take another look at that kid. He could be a good prospect after all."
"Oh? That is interesting. I'll send the news to Fernando. He is the new Second who is in charge of overseeing activities at The Oasis and The Veil. Now, come." Master Giordo embraced the elf, running his fingers through the shorter man's dark, curly hair before kissing the tip of his right ear. "You must be very tired, no? I, too, have been up all night attending to the Farinno contract, disposing evidence and collecting payment, of course. Saul is on the case now, working as a servant in that villa. Come up to bed with me. We will discuss things some more after lunch when the others are here." He kissed him, reaching down to cup his buttocks.
"Mmmmm, yes." Andre relaxed against the man's chest, clasping his hands around the back of his neck as their tongues intertwined.