I want to make it perfectly clear, my intention was not to make Alon jealous. I was never the type of person to go out of their way to make a significant other jealous if they weren't paying attention me. I was perfectly okay with my boyfriends and girlfriends having a life outside of me, hanging out with whomever they wanted. I was not, however, okay if they obviously wanted to be with me but were letting outside forces or thoughts on what would people think control them. Nonetheless, jealousy was not my goal but it was very clear to me that Alon was jealous of the attention Krem was throwing my way.

And I found it hilarious. Because there was no way I would just give up on Alon that fast. Nor was there ever any danger I would jump right into bed with Krem. Not that I haven't already imagined what that'd be like.

What?

A girl can imagine things that likely won't happen. Likely… maybe. Unless Alon isn't oppose to a threesome. I grinned to myself as I walked.

Either way, Alon had said it was the last time. Was he referring to just the sex? He did make a big deal out of his carnal desires, I can only assume he just meant sex. Does that mean our relationship does not constitute sex? If so, I'd need to know who was off limits and who wasn't because I cannot do that kind of relationship. Not that there wasn't anything wrong with that kind of relationship. I wonder if Alon would be okay with me having a steady partner to take care of those needs, then our relationship could continue.

But there it is. Relationship. Were we in one? We never did define what we were. Did they do things differently on Thedas? Surely they had casual sex partners, if what I remember from the game is correct. Unless it's not really a thing in Southern Thedas.

Damn, why can't Fereldan be a bit more like Antiva? I hated worrying about this kind of stuff on Earth and I hate it here too.

Either way, Alon was currently acting as a buffer between Krem and me. He was making sure I was nowhere near the vint. There wasn't much he could do about Iron Bull getting near me.

Not that the Ben-Hassrath ever tried to past the initial comment. He was more concerned with talking about the rifts in the area and how to avoid them if possible.

"If you see these rocks with this green and red insignia on them, you'll know there is a rift. Our scouts have been facing them outward 100 yards around the rifts, so it is easier to distinguish where the rifts areas are." Emeric was really forth coming with the information. I think it was because the less vints on our hills, the better and if Bull and his Chargers were going to do that, then all the more reason to give them aid, including how to spot a rift area.

"One hundred yards…" Bull whistled lowly. "How'd you figure that out?"

"Through trial and error. We got the initial idea from Mercy, she has tremendous foresight." Emeric smirked using the same term Alon had.

I don't know why it was decided they wouldn't reveal what I was, but I was glad they hadn't. Really don't need the Qun on my case believing I could actually predict the future. Images of Ketojan bound and mouth stitched shut, made me shudder.

"Foresight, huh?" Well, of course he's going to take note of that term when it's used with regard to a seemingly ridiculously armored mage.

We had walked along the shore a bit and were coming up on the Charger's second camp. Our horses had been left with the archers Emeric had dismissed. We could return to the North Camp easily enough from here.

"Chief!" An elf I didn't recognize was running up. "We've spotted some Tevinters, they aren't alone." The way he said that was chilling. Were there hostages? Victims? What?

Iron Bull gave a low growl. He wasn't pleased that much I could tell. "How far out? How many?" He immediately grilled the elf for the location. Apparently there was a sizable amount of Tevinter gladiators, mages, and archers along with cages of what appeared to be slaves.

"My men are just off the coast. I can hail them down for assistance." Emeric offered.

"Can you get the archers to the perimeter in time, for back up?" Bull asked Emeric seriously.

"I can do you one better." Emeric grinned wickedly.

Alon and I looked at each other with smirks while the Chargers peered at us curiously.

We stepped into the forest where the Tevinters were. Iron Bull was under cover by a boulder with Emeric. Alon, Krem, Stitches and I were yards away, crouching in the dirt.

"Mercy, you're to stay here." Alon immediately said the moment we got the signal everyone was in place.

"Stupid plan. I can help." I whispered.

"Emeric's orders." Alon pressed to me. "If we need extra magic, then you can come in, but only at my signal. Otherwise you'll be healing afterwards."

"Aww, let her fight with us." Krem said on my account.

"No." Alon stated.

"I'm a healer, so it won't just be up to her." Stitches said, slightly offended but I gave him an apologetic smile.

"It's not a matter of that. She's… too important to be injured in a scuffle like this." Alon looked at me meaningfully. The unspoken with Tevinters around made me deflate. We still didn't know why they had been searching for me and according to Emeric, Samson had long left the Coast by the time the betrayal was uncovered. "And she's not quite trained for combat so she is more likely to set herself on fire than anything."

I glowered. "You're an asshole." He didn't have to add that part. Now Krem and Stitches were looking at me like I was incompetent. Which, and I hate having to admit this, I was incompetent.

"Just be a good girl and perhaps there will be a reward later." Alon said saucily. I could see Krem's brows raise. My mouth gaped open.

I almost sputtered when he gave me a peck on the lips. My cheeks inflamed at the public display of affection.

Alon gave the signal to the Archers, hidden in the trees above us. Most of the North Camp were City Elves from Denerim, Halamshiral, and West Hill, defecting to the forests when they had enough of the abuse and scared off by the neighboring Avvar tribes and welcomed right into the arms of the Blades of Hessarian. It was a good life and they were treated as equals, as far as I've seen.

All at once the opposite side of the clearing was littered in arrows with little pouches of exploding smoke bombs that Rocky had created on the fly. And stealthily, Blades and Chargers snuck up behind the Tevinter Mages, as their attention was drawn toward the smoke. They expected the attack to come from there it seemed. They assumed we'd use the smoke as cover. It was a maneuver I saw once with the Blades.

Bull was especially silent considering he was big, but then again he's a spy. He squared off behind a brute. Emeric coming up behind a gladiator and Alon close behind him. Krem and Stitches snuck up behind a mage. I watched Dalish stand by the perimeter by me, her bow glowing as she prepared a fireball. Rocky came up beside me, his part helping the archers finished. Skinner I couldn't spot, nor Grim for that matter.

There were a few blades I didn't know mixed in as well between the Chargers. They were all mostly rogues with shortswords or short bows.

Bull hefted his Edge up and decimated the Brute with a resounding crunch of bone collapsing under the metal. Those close to a target took theirs out in a matter of quick sword stabs, swipes and plunges and then the fight was on. Dalish casting projectiles, shields and barriers to support the melee fighters.

Arrows flung in the air and the sound of metal against bone could not be mistaken. That's when I saw Skinner. She was fast, some kind of enchantment on her boots let her speed through with flips as she chained her attacks. A smile spread across her face as she sunk her daggers into Tevinter fighters. Blood was physically splashed in the air, that's how fast she moved.

Then Grim showed up, his shield and mace combination bashing the heads of any who got in his way. He was almost as powerful as Iron Bull, easily taking down enemies, their helms no match for the bludgeon.

My eyes scanned the battlefield. I found Emeric and Alon back to back, ducking and swinging attacks, helping each other with their shields as they took out four Tevinters one by one. Damn. That's impressive.

Rocky sneaked off and I watched as he made his way through the chaos and placed traps here and there, using his stature to sneak around the enemies and catch their robes on fire.

I took measure of the carts filled with cowering people. They were most likely slaves. Then I noticed an unengaged Tevinter mage, he pulled up a slave that had been trying to hide under the cart and a dagger slashed out. I felt my stomach drop as the blood spilled out and the mage raised shades, one slightly bigger than the others. The slave cast aside.

Shit. Blood magic.

Iron Bull seemed to notice and he dodged the shades clawing for him, as he made his way to the blood mage as he opened another cart, pulling another slave out, dagger flashing and more blood spilled but he didn't get the chance to raise any more shades as Bull took him out.

I couldn't see the slaves form here. They were probably slowly bleeding out. I could help them! They didn't have to die.

I took in the clearing. It looked like all the enemies were engaged. I made an executive decision and darted out into the clearing. My staff glowing, a thin barrier over my skin and robes keeping me protected as I tried to stay low, but I got shield bashed into a cart by a gladiator and he hovered over me. The shield pressed me until my back hit a cart. The shrieks of the slaves behind me were worrisome as some even cried, begging for mercy.

I was really starting to hate my name.

I pushed my hand against the gladiator, a static charge covering me as he grunted but he seemed unfazed. Shit. I tried a fire rune but his hand twisted mine into an odd angle. I heard a snap in my wrist and I grunted in pain. But the gladiator wasn't going for a killing blow, instead keeping me subdued. That set off warning bells.

I managed to angle my foot, knee drawn to my chest and I kicked against his shield, a stone fist, or stone-kick as I called it, sent him flying away from me. I ducked away, the objective of healing still on my mind. My wrist cradled against my chest as I picked up my staff and collapsed next to Stitches, setting my staff on the ground. Stitches was putting pressure on the wound.

"Get the bandages from my pack." He ordered but I shook my hand, pulling the glove off my uninjured hand by my teeth and simply pressing it against the elven slave. Skin to skin contact improved results I learned. "What are you doing he's going to die-" He cut off short as I poured magic into the slave.

Stitches pulled away his hands as he watched the muscle begin fusing as though he wasn't injured at all. The skin quickly sealing the wound. "Give him a health potion" I rasped as I shuffled on my knees to the other one, my hand pressed to their neck healing him up just as easily.

I pulled a health potion out of my belt with some difficulty but managed to get the young elf to drink it. I went to get up to duck for cover when gauntlet covered hands grabbed me by my hair and yanked me back, dragging me in the dirt. I yelped and twisted to see the gladiator. He was dragging me out of the clearing!

Fuck!

I shrieked. "ALON!" Terror ripping through me as I kicked my feet out to shake the ground but the gladiator managed to heft me up before I could and gagged my mouth.

I froze as the leather clenched around my mouth.

Screams, blood dripping down my back. The counting of each painful lash.

I didn't know the tears had sprung up until I tried to find Alon in the crowd, everything blurry. The blur became dark as a bag was placed over it, keeping me from seeing.

No. No! I struggled.

"MERCY!" I heard Alon scream, he was so far away. But I couldn't see him. I heard a crunch and I fell down to the dirt. Unfamiliar hands grabbed for me but I struggled away, kicking whoever it was.

"Easy."

I still faught as he grabbed my arms and pinned them.

"That's why I'm not going to kill you." Zazz's voice was clear in my head. The intent clear as his dagger ripped through my vest.

I shook as I heard a tearing of fabric.

Shackles clamped around my wrists and all I could see was fire, bright and hot. My tunic ripped and cold frigid air hit my back.

I could see now but all I saw was grey and a brown leather harness. Then there was horns and the leather in my mouth was taken out.

"Mercy…" I heard Alon murmur and then I was pulled into his arms and I shook against him, familiar scent and comfort filling and calming me. I realize the battle had been over and silence surrounded us. I wasn't crying, but I was still, silent and my eyes wide and filled with tears.

"So. There's a few things you haven't told us, Emeric." Iron Bull confronted him. "Why were they adamant in grabbing her?"

"And how she managed to heal fatal wounds without so much as a scar to show for it." Stitches questioned.

There was a deep sigh. "Let us clean up here and I will answer your questions, as best as I can anyway." Emeric said.

5 Coloured Walker, YES. Sorry I was all over the place when I responded. But I meant specifically the rock tree in the Primal School from DAO and the Primal School from DA2. I wanted to limit Mercy to just those two types. Plus I like the idea that if she branches out from Rock to Earth or Nature, like with the Keeper skills from DAO, Mercy could be a really great Healer. But yes, Mercy will eventually have Earthquake. (I agree DAO mages are OP.) I also wanted Mercy to have at least ONE fangasm and who better than with Iron Bull and Krem?

SleepiPanda, LOL. Riding the Bull. Oh... oh you have no idea the plans I have with how appropriate that is. Not saying she's going to pair off with Bull but just it's funny.

GreaterGoodIreland, Krem is the classiest guy in Thedas.

Atsirk Enoh, There will be more Krem in the future. Just... right now it's just a taste of Krem. I have a soft spot for Krem and he is exactly as you said, eyecandy. Hmmm, delicious Krem.