Trouble at the Princess

They were back on the road and Alistair waited until Blake was alone before he asked the question burning in his brain from the moment they set out, "Why is Sten leading?"

Blake told him Sten's story, "So I told him we would look for his sword. Apparently he can't go home without it. If he tries he'll be killed on sight as a deserter, a 'Tal-Vashoth.'"

"Ouch, that's a bit harsh, but there are a lot of things I don't understand about their Qun," Alistair mused. Blake agreed. "What if we don't find it?"

"Hopefully we'll at least get a lead. It'd be a shame if he helps us slay the Archdemon and he's not able to go home. He must have family, though not family as we know it. If I could never see Highever again . . ." his expression became unbearably sad at the possibility.

Alistair put his hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed. "We'll find Sten's sword and we'll take care of Howe," he promised.

Jannasilane came running up to them, "Sten says it is beyond the next field. Blake, what is wrong?" She hugged him though she didn't know why he seemed to need the comfort.

"I just wanted to feel the luscious curves of a beautiful woman in my arms," he said, smiling when she hit him in a huff. "Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy your plump breasts and the roundness of your ass? But now I must go to Sten," he hurried off, grinning at the temper he left for Alistair to handle.

Alistair was both exasperated and amused at Blake's antics. He tried to suppress his grin when he looked down at the angry and embarrassed Jannasilane. He knew he didn't succeed when she glared at him and stamped her foot, causing her magnificent bosom to quiver with outrage. Before the storm broke he hastily took both her hands in his, "he was thinking about the possibility of never seeing Highever again. Even if we survive the Blight."

Her temper softened and she leaned against Alistair, "Poor Blake. I wonder if it is easier for me because I know my home is gone now. Between the fire and the darkspawn there will be nothing for me to return to. For him, his home is not gone but out of reach, that must be difficult."Alistair noticed her brushing her arms where the gouges were mostly healed and frowned. He wasn't surprised when she spoke again. "Alistair," Jannasilane looked fixedly at his chest, "we will soon be at the Spoiled Princess. Do you think we might get a room?"

He knelt down so he could look her in the eyes. She was blushing and tried to avoid his gaze but he was having none of it. He held her chin and kissed her trembling lips, "Is the Need starting to bother you, my love?" She nodded miserably and flushed even more at the understanding in his voice. "Do you really want to wait? I'm sure Blake would understand if we asked him for some privacy."

She shook her head, "It is not so bad yet. This will be the first time we've been together since Denerim and I prefer the extra privacy of the Inn." She was quiet and then burst out angrily, "I would prefer not to be with you because of some impersonal beast of Need but instead . . ." she shook her head fiercely and then shrugged despondently, "Instead that is not the case. I do not have the luxury to wait until I am sure of my own desires."

Alistair ached for her on so many levels. He hugged her and buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing deeply of her scent, "I love you, Jannasilane Alenahaella. You may not be ready to accept it but I can be patient when the prize is so well worth the wait. Until then my heart and my bedroll are yours whenever you need them, even if it is simply to meet your Need." He grinned a little and licked her neck, "Until you are ready to say you love me you can abuse my poor body as often as necessary and I will suffer stoically."

"You have developed a surprisingly wicked tongue, Alistair Theirin," she leaned back so she could look him in the face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently bit his ear, "I think I like it." Then she danced out of his embrace and lightly ran away, leaving him hard but smiling in anticipation.

Carefully he stood. Metal armor was more than a little constricting in his current state. He took a deep breath, let it out and then went looking for Blake, "Need to let him know we want a room at the Princess. I hope this time we don't need him." He found their leader standing with Sten overlooking the land between them and Lake Calenhad. "Did you find the place where you were attacked?" he asked the silent Qunari.

"Yes."

Alistair looked at Blake to see if he would elaborate on the stoic Sten's reply but Blake just smirked at him. Alistair rolled his eyes, "Do you plan on telling us where it is? I, for one, am willing to help search but not without a bit more information."

"I have informed the Warden. That is sufficient. This task requires concentration and you are too easily distracted with the irrelevant."

"First Shale and now Sten, the joys of camp life I suppose, no privacy allowed," Alistair grumbled to himself. "I'll have you know I am a champion multitasker. Since your sword is not crucial to our mission I'd think you want as many eyes working on your behalf as possible. Your sword isn't that small, is it?" he challenged the large Qunari. "Or you could stay behind and look for it by yourself while we get on with the important business." He lifted an eyebrow and waited.

Sten looked at him. "Humph," he grunted, "so you do have a spine. Pity you don't use it more often."

Blake hid his amusement, "Now that that's settled . . . Alistair I want you to make sure everybody gets packed up as quickly as possible. Sten and I will go on ahead, it's not far and I don't sense any darkspawn. If Zevran, Leliana or Package is ready send them and General Lee along to join us. Maybe we'll get lucky and find the sword before you get there." He went off whistling, Sten striding at his side.

Since camp was mostly ready it didn't take long before they were all on the move and catching up to their leader. When they reached him Blake was talking to an odd, bandy-legged man who was looking at him with a mixture of fear and defiance. "-you're surrounded by corpses!"

"They're mine," the scavenger asserted. "Well, not mine but I have the rights to them and everythin' around 'em."

"Did you find a Qunari sword, by any chance?"

"What's it to you?"

"It's mine," Sten intervened for the first time in the conversation.

"Faryn didn't say nothing 'bout no giants," the scavenger muttered. He burst out, "I know, I got done. That squirrelly bastard didn't tell me the place was all but picked clean. I found pieces of a leather glove, maybe, and that's it. He's at Orzammar by now, ratty looking fellow, tell him I sent you. Ha!" The scavenger turned his back on them and gazed sadly at the area he was working with little hope of finding anything.

"I'm sorry, Sten, but we'll catch up to this Faryn when we get to Orzammar. Fortunately we have to go there anyway," Blake offered.

"It is more information than I had before. Thank you, Warden," Sten moved to take his usual place in the group.

"If he got to Orzammar safely he's likely going to be there for a long time. I doubt many merchants are traveling the roads and he doesn't sound like the sort to be able to pay for guards," Alistair offered his opinion. While he had Blake's attention he added, "Jannasilane and I want to get a room at the Spoiled Princess."

Blake's eyes twinkled wickedly, "A romantic evening or . . .?"

Alistair sighed, "Hopefully some of both but definitely . . ." He knew Blake would understand what he meant.

"Ah," Blake said, "I'm sure we need to replenish some of our mages' supplies by now anyway. Let's go. We should be there by this evening. I have to admit, I always enjoy an excuse not to set up camp."

It started to rain before they reached the inn. The wet Wardens went inside to see about rooms and ask a few questions. Alistair grabbed Jannasilane's hand and gently tugged her inside with them. The innkeeper was pleased to see them again until Blake started asking questions about Brother Genitivi; when he heard the name 'Genitivi' his smile became fixed and nervous. Blake went subtly on alert while maintaining his appearance of casual inquiry. Jannasilane fixed her gaze on the innkeeper and Alistair shifted slightly to be ready for trouble and idly played with her hair. "Sorry, the person you're looking for isn't here. I've never heard of him," the innkeeper said loudly. In a bare whisper he added, "They're watching. Don't look!" he hissed. "Some knights were here looking for him and that was the last I saw of them. You best be careful. I don't think it's wise for you to stay around here." He leaned back and started polishing a mug, "Sorry I can't help you, but maybe an ale before you leave?" he said in an approximation of normality.

"Thanks, but I guess we better move on. Maybe next time," Blake said casually. Sotto voce he added, "Don't worry, this will be over soon." They strolled out of the Princess back into the rain where they were immediately attacked. These were no common thugs but an experienced squad able enough to defeat well-trained knights travelling in no more than groups of two or three but they were no match for the Wardens and their companions. Blake rummaged through their armor and took their packs. He sent Morrigan, Zevran, Sten and Leliana out on a search for a nearby campsite, if there was one. He, Alistair and the others went back inside.

The innkeeper was stunned when he saw them return, "I, I can't b-believe it's over. You did it," he whispered. "Oh thank the Maker! They threatened to kill my family, my wife and son. They made sure I knew they were watching, always watching. I don't know who this Brother Genitivi is that everybody's looking for or why he's so important and I don't want to know. You have my eternal gratitude for ending this nightmare. Oh, my name is Fred. The least I can do is offer you rooms on the house and the wife'll do a bang up breakfast," he babbled on and on. "Let me show you to your rooms, if you're hungry we've got plenty of bread and butter and cheese we can set out for you. And wine and ale of course . . . here, you'll probably want this room for you and your lady. It's the only bed big enough for you."

"Big enough for all three of us, come to that," thought Alistair. He looked down at Jannasilane and wondered what she was thinking, her expression was oddly pensive. "Janna, my love, why don't you go ahead and get settled. Take our packs with you. I'll be back soon with some food and wine," tenderly he brushed his hand over her hair. She looked at him and he thought she was about to say something but instead she nodded and took their packs with her into the room.

Back at the bar they saw the innkeeper's wife had indeed packed the bar with food. She even had some fruit tarts and some dried meat along with the bread and cheese. "He obviously remembers what it's like to feed two Wardens and a small Package," Blake smiled in appreciation and greed. His and Alistair's stomachs rumbled loudly at almost the same time. They grabbed a little food while waiting for the others to return with their report. Alistair was impatient to get back to their room but contented himself with filling a tray to take back with him and munching on some cheese while having a private word with Blake.

"Ah, Grey Wardens," Zevran began speaking as soon as they hurried through the door, "you will be pleased to know we found no evidence of more of the dastardly fiends."

Leliana elaborated, "We found three camp sites, between them they would know everything that was happening. All signs point to their joining the attack; nothing indicates that even one may have stayed back or slipped away. I would say they had their routine down pretty well. At least one of them would be in the inn at all times while the others watched and waited for a sign. I am glad we have put an end to their misdeeds."

"Good," Blake answered. "I thought that might be the case. Fred," he indicated the innkeeper, "has graciously offered us rooms for tonight as well as this buffet and breakfast in the morning. Enjoy it while you can. Shale and General Lee will spend the night on guard in the main room, not that I'm expecting more trouble but I expect Fred's family will sleep better after all that's happened." As soon as he was done speaking most of them went straight for the food. Alistair picked up the tray and left, followed by Leliana who wanted to change into dry clothes before doing anything else.