Future Plans

Redcliffe, 9:30, Kingsway 6th Evening

"Scouting the fringes of the battlefield I met the members of a chasind clan fighting against a group of darkspawn. We rushed to help and won the fight, but most of my men were killed, I was wounded. They carried me to their clan's camp and recuperating from my wounds I missed the main battle. Since then I tried to gather the chasind clans and hold off the lesser darkspawn groups in the wilderness. Against the main horde we wouldn't stand a chance alone. But if you're building an army we will be there to help. The Chasind don't want to fight but they know: if the fereldan army is defeated, their land will be destroyed too in the long run."

Mikhail had been discussing with his elder brother the whole evening, making plans about coming battles. It seemed very naturally that he assumed the rule of leader even over his brother, but he felt better and more secure with Fergus back from the dead. They tried to avoid speaking about their parents and Fergus family, focusing their thoughts on the future.

"Arl Eamon is the center of our army gathering, to him our allies from the mages, Templars and Dalish report. You should establish a messenger between him and your Chasind. I'll go with my friends to Ozrammar as soon as Natasha is back to health."

Fergus asked a bit doubting: "Are you sure she will recover? Her condition is very weak. The battle against the witch of the wild must have been furious. My people speak in awe of her. Battling her with only a single swordsman as support …"

"She'll be well. Morrigan will do all what is needed to save her; I have no doubt about that." It had been the first time since Fergus arrival that Iona broke her bad mood and participated in the conversation. As Fergus looked quizzical to his younger brother, Mikhail only shrugged: "Natasha is an extremely strong willed woman. I doubt that she would succumb so easy." As Iona left to ask Wynne about Natasha's condition, Mikhail added: "And Iona is sure about it."

Smiling Fergus noted: "You seem to value her opinion highly. Do I hear some …?"

With a sad face Mikhail interrupted his brother: "No, you know it can't be. Only we two survived. Someday you will be Teyrn of Highever. As long as you don't have a new wife and children … sorry, Fergus, I know it is hard and I really would like to forget about that all, but too many people depend on us. We can't let our people in the clutches of men like Howe. So it will be you as a Teyrn, wedding someone fast, securing the family line. And I will be the … backup plan. Mikhail pressed an uneasy smile."

"By the way Iona has another plan for my future, a plan that makes me nervous and has no place for her in it. But it would be a way to help all people including her own." Mikhail hesitated a moment before he went on. "Iona suggested that not Alistair should become king but me, marrying Anora to gather the support of all Banns."

Mikhail looked at his brother, waiting for Fergus to burst into laughter, but he remained unsmiling. "A good idea, the best I heard for a long time. You would be a great king. And Anora is an accomplished administrator. It would be a very suitable pairing. Mikhail, you have the support of the Teyrn of Highever in this claim." Shortly a smile passed Fergus face, getting sad very fast. "But I regret that Iona … you love her, don't you?" Inquiring Mikhail's face, he waved his hand. "Sorry, forget the stupid question." Fergus sighed deeply. "Father would be proud." As Mikhail left, Fergus added very low: "And mother would club you for your foolishness."

Redcliffe, 9:30, Kingsway 6th Late Evening

"You want WHAT from me?" Zevran looked at Morrigan, obviously doubting her sanity.

The witch had been at Natasha's room for hours, the last preparing something she now presented to Zevran. "Wynne is not able to bring her back. She burned too much of her soul to reach victory. If we do nothing she will die within days. I prepared this salve for her, but I need you for the medicine to take full effect. "

"Let me repeat: You want me to grease Natasha with this salve. And then I'm to sleep with her while she is still unconsciousness? Apart from her not feeling what I do and forgetting that I don't really get much joy from something like that: do you have a clue what she'll do with me after waking up?"

Morrigan waved Zevran's arguments off. "It is needed. The salve will reinforce the feeling, changing the body heat to inner strength. You can be sure she won't be like a log in the … event. It is old chasind magic. It will save her, only that matters."

"She will never forgive me doing this. And why didn't you chose Alistair or Mikhail? Why not you?"

"You're the most … trained in these things. Alistair and Mikhail would be terrible I fear. And I … I lack the … err … proper parts, you know. And what is more important, her opinion about that all or her life? By the way she allowed you to sleep with her."

Zevran smiled. "You pried about her. You little minx are jealous."

"Don't be a fool. We feel like … like sisters. That's all. Now, will you do what is necessary or not?"

Zevran smirked. "Sisters, sure. But alright, I'll do it. But it will be your duty to hold off Wynne."

After stating what he had to do, Morrigan went to the door, hesitated and walked back to Natasha, leaned over her pressing a kiss on her forehead, gently plucking a strand of hair out of her face and left the room without looking back.

Sighing Zevran looked down on the unconsciousness mage. "I doubt you anticipated our night to be like this. I hope you'll allow me to repeat it someday."