"And the time that I will suffer less,
Is when I never have to wake."
-Wandering Star, Portishead
Zevran did not want to be alone. Neither did he want to be here. Any path that had been laid before him collapsed. When he tried to speak his words turned to ash, tasting bitter in his mouth.
Leliana threw worried glances over her shoulder when she thought he wasn't looking. She and Guido sat cross legged by the fire, their lutes over their laps. Zevran only caught snippets of the conversation but it was enough to know he didn't want to hear more. Although they seemed subdued a tension rang in the air like a death knell. Guido still stubbornly refused to tell Zevran what he'd found at the Archive, not even Leliana had managed to pry that from the Crows sealed lips. After returning, solemn eyed and shaking, Leliana had produced the letter Elaria's journal mentioned, along with a bundle of notes written in the dead woman's hand. Zevran's mind was too full of grief to make anything from it. Leliana had timidly suggested sojourning to Orlais, gathering support amongst the chevaliers and spies. Zevran suspected it was a ploy to get him to leave. He would not leave.
He'd tried to keep busy. Her things had been scattered, her books, her clothes, her weapons. She'd never been particularly concerned with material objects, carried what was important with her everywhere. He'd spent a whole day repairing the armour she'd been wearing when she died, washing the blood, stitching holes, replacing the leather. He sharpened her blades, wondering why she'd left her staff behind. Amongst a chest of her clothes he'd found Starfang. A lump had caught in his throat as he'd gripped the hilt. Once or twice he'd sat in that cold tomb, he as silent as her. He knew Guido had taken to doing the same. He'd heard the other elf strumming his lute, the melancholy chords and his gloomy baritone dulled by the winter that crept over the room. Zevran had listened for as long as he could bear.
Dark thoughts came with the night. I am only alive because of her mercy and now she lies dead. Dead when I could have saved her. I told her I'd storm the Black City at her side. I should have...What if...If I'd only...so many anxious sentences. Not half a league across the city he knew his enemies were gathering. He could almost feel the heat of them underneath his feet. I will not be shown mercy twice. It would be a good death. I would take a hundred of them with me.
Storms had blown a yellow fog over the city. Antiva slumbered, the festivities of Satinalia dissolved into the broken glass that littered her streets. Zevran watched the mist snuggle at the window pane, its tail leaving smoky patterns in the air. Papers blew in the wind like snowflakes. He watched them rise and fall unwillingly, sometimes to rise again. A heavy knock made all three rogues jump to their feet.
"He's back again," Irileth was clearly disgruntled. "Aldo's distracting him. He's brought a Templar this time."
Each grabbed their weapons. Anger replaced numbness as he stalked behind Guido. Why can't they just leave her alone? Guido flung the door to his study open. Leliana and Zevran siphoned in afterwards. The two men in front of the desk shot to their feet. Aldo's hands arched as he glared at their backs. The male Warden's armour was polished to a fault, his hair crept away from the crown on his head. His nervous coal-black eyes darted over the three rogues. The Templar wore the heavy plate of his order. Through the shadowed slit in his helm his expression was unreadable. Zevran grasped Starfang's hilt.
"I told you not to return," Guido stood barring the door, foot tapping with rage. His hand hovered over the throwing knife in the back of his belt.
The Grey Warden, Dacken Mann, had first appeared two days ago, desperately seeking audience with Elaria, returning three or four times a day after that. Only Aldo's diplomacy had halted Guido from throwing the man in the dungeon.
"Guido, let us be civil..." said Aldo.
"I am done being civil," Guido took two strides forward and Zevran did the same.
"Please, it is essential that I see her..." Dacken began.
"If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times," Guido's words came through gritted teeth. "She is not here..."
"You're lying," the Templar grunted. "I can sense the Veil being torn, Crow..."
"We have other mages here, Templar," Guido spat back.
"Other apostates..."
"Knight Commander, please," Dacken placed a hand upon the Templar's forearm. The man's armour clanked as he crossed his arms. "We have permission from the Grand Cleric to search these premises," he took a thick document from Aldo. The seal had been broken but the symbol of Andraste was still clear.
"The Chantry has no power over the Crows," Guido glared at the letter. Leliana rushed to his side, a hand on his shoulder as she frantically whispered. Zevran was close enough to hear every word.
"Do not make enemies. The game is up." Leliana grasped Guido's hand. Muttering curses under he snatched the letter. Zevran leaned forward, heart sinking as Leliana mumbled about its authenticity.
"If you refuse we have a contingency of Templars outside," the Knight Commander growled. "They will happily storm..."
"Enough, Gathorne," the Warden said. "I'm sure these people are sensible enough to give us what we want. Without threats." He gave a strained smile as he turned to Guido. "If you have nothing to hide then there is nothing to fear."
"I am not afraid," Guido said. "Come then, we shall escort you."
"That won't be necessary..."
"Oh?" Guido smiled. "You think my cell will respond kindly to two strangers wondering our halls. No, it is best we come with you." His grin turned malevolent. "For your own protection."
The Templar insisted they went on to the second floor. Zevran overheard the two men muttering about the broken Veil and the faint tugging of the taint. Guido stalked in front of their strange party, flinging doors open, giving the two visitors exaggerated low bows as they moved to inspect every room. By the time they reached the back stairs they had a dozen Crows trailing after them curiously. For the first time Zevran felt a begrudging respect for the other elf. He certainly knows what he's doing.
Guido clambered up the stairs two at a time, beckoning for them to speed up. These halls were dedicated to Crow recruits, who had only just achieved their rank as fully fledged assassins. Satinalia had not ended here. As Guido flung open the double doors to the dormitory whores scrambled to cover themselves, shrieking at the intrusion, bottles and ashtrays tumbled onto the body strewn floor.
"Harbouring any apostates?" Guido smirked, grasping one of the whores who tried to squirm past. "Is Elaria here?" She snatched her arm away.
"Fuck you," she spat, grabbing at the silk that covered her. Guido turned to the abashed looking Dacken, the squirming Knight Commander. "Would you care to inspect further?"
The next half an hour was spent much in the same fashion. Guido became almost hysterical in his sarcasm. The Warden and Templar didn't know where to look. Whatever the two men had expected it was not this. They barely even noticed when Leliana broke away from the group. She gave Zevran a wink as she brushed by.
The two inspectors, as Zevran began to think of them, although clearly fazed by the den of inequity ploughed on regardless. What could they want from her, do they know that she's... he choked on the end of the thought as the Templar stopped in his tracks.
"It's coming from above us," he said. "It's getting stronger. Get us up there right now."
"Calm down," Guido sighed, waving a flippant hand over his shoulder. "We shall get there eventually."
The Templar's broadsword was only half out of his scabbard when Zevran slid his dagger between the Commander's helm and breast plate. Guido turned, eyes flickering in momentary surprise. There were gasps and cries of appreciation from the surrounding Crows.
"Well, that was foolish Knight Commander," Guido grinned.
"Please gentlemen," Dacken's fear was almost palpable as his eyes tick-tocked like a pendulum from Guido to Zevran. "I'm sure Gathorne meant nothing by it," he added pointedly.
"These Crows are taking us for idiots," Gathrone growled. It seemed an age since Zevran had killed something. He took a deep breath. His senses alive with bloodlust.
"I was under the impression you wanted to be thorough," Guido shrugged. "If you wish to rush and miss something please feel free."
Gathorne roared. With a quickness that was terrifying for a man of his stature he grasped Zevran's arm. Steel gauntlets squeezed around leather wrist guards as the templar tried to push the blade back. Unsheathing Starfang was easy, carefully maintaining eye contact with the black slit, he swung his arm upwards. Garthone let go of him just in time to see the hilt of the sword bear down on his steel shod temple. The deafening clang sent the templar stumbling backwards. The murder of Crows began to squawk, chanting for a fight. Zevran twirled his blades, happy to oblige.
"Enough," Guido said lazily. The assembled Crows moaned. Zevran did not take his eyes from his prey even when the other elves hand was on his shoulder. "Later, my friend," Guido said, low enough that only Zevran could hear. A friend is someone who has the same enemies as you. He wanted to laugh as he sheathed his swords. Guido gripped his shoulder tightly before letting go.
"A misunderstanding," Dacken was clapping his hands together nervously as he slithered to help the Knight Commander to his feet. Zevran smiled at the dent in the man's helm. First time I've smiled in weeks. It quickly turned into a grimace as Guido dispersed the gaggle of assassins, much to their annoyance and dismay. The time for stalling has ended.
The two elves flanked the men as they climbed the small spiral staircase located at the end of a disused landing. The taste of lyrium tingled in the back of Zevran's throat. Guido kept a slow pace, every creaking floorboard aggravating the already seething templar. As they turned the last corner the air seemed to swell and thicken, an unnatural light eked out between the gaps in the door. Garthorne stiffened.
"What foul magic is this?" he hissed, lowering his stance, hand twitching over the hilt of his sword. Guido's grin was etched in Zevran's mind as he flung open the door.
Anders had been unimpressed when Guido showed him the attic.
"You said you needed space," Guido had retorted. "This is the best we can do." It had not taken long to get the lyrium. With Valisti's disappearance Ignacio had seized the most profitable of his business arrangements, even the shady ones.
The Knight Commanders first mistake was walking into that unearthly glow as though transfixed. The Grey Warden followed, mouth gaping open. Zevran wondered if they even heard the bow being pulled back. The dust in the room seemed to vibrate with the energy pouring from Anders. Neither he nor the Warden child seemed to notice the intrusion. A dome of light surrounded them, bathing the entire room in an intense, palpitating green. The two men turned when Zevran slammed the door. Leliana trained her arrow towards the slit in the Templars helm.
"Do not even think of disturbing him," Guido growled over the noise of the spell. "You'll be dead before you can cleanse the area."
"What in the Maker's name is he doing?" Dacken seemed to crumble as he stared at the arrowheads pointed towards him.
"Who is this man?" Garthorne gestured to Anders.
"He is a Grey Warden, under our protection," said Guido. "His business is his own."
The silence was deepened by the persistent buzz of the spell. The Warden shuffled on the spot like a rat caught in a ring of cats. Gathorne clenched and unclenched his fingers.
"Are you...going to kill us?" Dacken stuttered eventually, eyes swivelling from Guido, languishing against the doorway to Leliana, face pulled tight in concentration. When Guido pulled his dagger from his sheathe the man almost tumbled backwards.
"That is completely up to you," Guido began cleaning his nails with the blade. "Yes, we could kill you," he seemed to toy with the idea, head tilting from side to side as though swirling a fine wine across his palate. "Or you could simply leave now and never come back..."
"But I need to see her..." The Grey Warden pleaded.
"We cannot leave this mage unattended, he could be in the thrall of a demon," Garthorne grunted, crossing his arms and replanting his feet firmly on the ground.
"Well if you insist on outstaying your welcome," Guido sighed. "Perhaps you can tell me why you need to see her so urgently, yes?"
"I cannot..."
"Oh?" Guido's eyebrows drew together in mock concern. "That is quite sad for you," he paused for a moment. "Leliana could you please assist our friend."
In a flash the bard had changed target, quickly firing the arrow. Dacken yelped as it grazed his balding scalp. By the time it thrummed into the wood behind him she had notched another. The man squealed like a mouse.
"Alright, please, I'll tell you!" He ducked, hands draped over his head.
Zevran could smell the stale sweat of fear on Dacken. He suspected the man would've spilled any and all of his secrets. His stumbling words were cut off. An all consuming light blinded them all. Someone screamed. Sound sucked inwards towards the mages. Glass shattered. An unseen force rocked the room. Zevran had no time to break his fall.
There was ringing in his ears. Dust was everywhere. He coughed, heard coughs all about him. Crying and choking. There was blood on the floor. He gingerly raised his hand to find his head gruesomely damp. He stood, still reeling. Blinking grit from his eyes and spitting it from his mouth. He drew his blades. Burn marks scorched the floor. He put one hand over his mouth as he shuffled forwards.
Other, dust coated figures clambered to their feet. Zevran pushed past them, finally getting to where Anders cradled the Warden child. The mages eyes still glowed with traces of the spell as he turned to Zevran.
"We did it..." he whispered.
"Maleficar!" The roar came from behind them and Zevran was only just quick enough to block the furious blow. Gathorne had lost his helm, blood dripped from the wound on his head, his breath was ragged as Zevran beat him backwards. Anders staggered to his feet behind him, swearing as his spell fluttered and died. Zevran tripped backwards as Guido tackled his foe to the floor, crunching the Templar's gauntlet with his boot as he disarmed him. He gave the crumpled up Templar a kick for good measure. The man groaned.
"We must hurry..." Anders hoisted the Warden girl onto his back, her tiny hands clasping fistfuls of his robe. Her bright green eyes sparkled with excitement and fear. Anders shouldered his way out of the room, pushing past the shell shocked Dacken. Guido and Zevran were hot on his heels.
Footsteps pounded in front and behind. Zevran glanced over his shoulder to see Dacken skidding along the marble and Garthorne taking long deliberate strides, clutching at his head. He caught up with Guido and they raced through the long corridors of the dormitories, down the two flights of stairs, past hysterical maids and whispering Crows. Aldo and Kalliste were no more than a blur, as Guido beckoned over his shoulder for them to follow. They reached the double doors of the entrance hall. Zevran's heart leapt into his throat as he gasped for breath.
Anders hammered on the door, crying out to Irileth who stood guard inside Elaria's tomb. People had caught up. He could hear them talking, words distant against his pounding heart.
Behind the door, the icy shard had coated the ceiling and floor in its frost. His breath turned to mist. He heard someone slip behind him but he was sure footed. Anders reached the base of the icy spire first. The Warden child climbed down from his back but remained clinging to his leg. When Zevran and Guido approached she eyed them warily from behind the folds of Anders robe.
"What is this?" Gathorne's footsteps crunched under the snow, his voice strangely dampened by the ice. "More forbidden magic." He drew his broadsword, a snarl curving his split lip. It seemed oddly familiar, the way he planted his feet, a look of deep concentration on his face.
"No, stop!" Anders roared. It was too late. Blue cleansing waves exploded from the Templar as he bellowed. Where the aura lit the snow it began to melt as though touched by flame. It glowed upwards until its light hit the ceiling. Zevran's eyes widened. A crack echoed.
"Run!" Anders screamed, but they stood rooted to the spot, staring at the icicles straining above them. Another thunderous groan and people sprung to life as though shocked by lightning.