Simple Pleasures

The next morning as Sareyna ate breakfast with the other Wardens and some of their guests Anders came into the refectory practically glowing. He tapped Zevran on the shoulder and asked him to move down so he could sit next to Sareyna. She watched him as he sat down, a smile plastered on his face that he couldn't seem to stop.

He leaned close to Sareyna and dropped his voice low. "Your brother is simply delightful, 'Reyna. I think I know why I remind you of him." He chuckled a little as he reached to start filling his plate from the platters down the middle of the table.

"I'm glad you two enjoyed each other's company."

"Yes, it rather seems all that time spent running the Teyrnir leaves him with a desire to have someone else take control for a while. I was happy to help the poor man out."

Sareyna elbowed Anders, "Do remember he's my brother and though I'm glad you two got on so well, I have no desire to hear about it."

Anders laughed, "Fair enough." He quieted down and ate for several moments before he looked at Sareyna a bit more seriously. "I do want to thank you. I think we both needed a bit of a break from the rigors of real life for a while. I'm hoping he won't mind my company for the remainder of his stay."

"Where is Fergus?"

Anders sighed, "He slipped out of my room before dawn. Didn't want to cause a scene I suppose. Although, I am beginning to think that I am lacking in hospitality. I can't seem to get anyone to stay the night with me." He gave a mock pout before he quieted, it seemed a sudden thought struck him and he blanched a little. "Do you think your brother spending time talking with a mage would cause problems for him?"

Sareyna was surprised by Anders concern. "I don't think so."

Anders shook his head, "Justice is right. I'm completely selfish, I didn't think about him having to rule some of these people when he leaves here. Maker, how many people do you think saw me take him to my room last night." Anders raked a hand back through his hair. "I was in a robe and everything; selfish, selfish Anders and his pleasures." Abruptly, he stood up to leave.

Sareyna caught his arm, "Anders, calm down. My brother is a grown man; he knows what he's doing."

Anders looked torn, "I got him really drunk, 'Reyna." He pulled his arm free. "Apologize to him for me?" With that he headed towards the door.

"Anders!" Sareyna debated following him for a moment, but she had some things she had to take care of before the day's events started. She finished her breakfast quickly before heading to her office. There was a letter on the top of the pile from Weisshapt. Sareyna had been ignoring it for nearly a week. She picked it up and turned it over deciding what to do with it.

Eventually, she put it back on her desk, deciding not to read it until the tournament was over with. She heard a soft knock at the door; she called for whoever it was to enter, figuring it was either Alistair or Zevran come to collect her for the day's events.

"Hello pup."

She looked up from the complaint from Mistress Woolsey she had been reading with a smile on her face. She stood and crossed to him, letting him pull her into a hug. He tugged her ponytail lightly as he let her go.

"Still wearing this dreadful thing I see."

"It's practical." She led him over to the comfortable chairs near the fire and gestured for him to sit down and she joined him. "Besides, it's fast and easy."

Fergus smirked, "You always liked fast and easy."

She returned the smile, "I have too much to do to worry about elaborate hairstyles."

Fergus nodded, "Fair enough." He looked into the fire for some moments clearly thinking about something. Sareyna was happy to just be with him so kept her peace until he spoke again. He looked up at her with soft eyes, looking almost vulnerable. "I didn't see Anders at breakfast this morning."

"He ate before you awoke."

Fergus nodded but didn't say anything.

"He's worried about what people will think of you spending time with him because he's a mage."

Fergus scowled, "I don't care about that. Didn't you tell him I wouldn't care?"

"He's worried about what the people will say because you need to be able to go back to Highever to rule them."

Fergus sighed, "I like him. I enjoyed talking with him as much as anything else. He's nothing like I pictured a Circle mage to be." He smiled a little, "Though, as he tells it, he wasn't much of a Circle mage anyways."

"He makes a much better Warden."

"He does seem to fit here quite well. And he cares about you a great deal." Fergus smiled, "He said you told him that he reminds you of me."

Sareyna nodded, "He does, he's smart, funny and has a bigger heart than he's willing to admit."

"I was looking forward to spending the day with him. He's witty and charming, and I could use a little wit and charm in my life right now."

"I can talk to him."

Fergus shook his head, "And what, order him to spend time with me? How sad would that be? No, if he would rather not see me again, I understand."

"Maybe you should talk to him."

"I don't know Sareyna; I feel a little odd about the whole thing. I don't want him to feel like it's his job to keep me company. Maker knows half of what I like about him so much is that he treated me no differently than anyone else. It's was refreshing."

Sareyna sighed and sat back, "Trust me Fergus, no one can make Anders do something he doesn't want to. If he doesn't want to keep you company while you're here, he'll tell you. He's just that kind of man." She smiled, "Another reason he reminds me of you. I understand Anders' appeal more than you think. He's been my sanity more times than I can count."

Fergus gave her a small smile and stood up. "Then, I think I'll track him down, gossips be damned."

Sareyna laughed and stood up as well. "I need to go find my men and see what they're up to."

Fergus paused, "How are things with you?"

Sareyna laughed, "I had my cake and ate it to. Alistair is all the things I could never admit I wanted in a relationship, sweet, kind, caring, protective." She shook her head and sighed softly, "A knight in shining armor, really. Well mostly, he's anything but in some respects." She gave Fergus a grin and he groaned. "And Zevran is the opposite cliché, a rake, a bad boy, a man who hid his heart. My life has become a twisted romance novel, and I love it."

Fergus smiled, "A romance novel with two male leads and Darkspawn. There's an interesting concept."

They both laughed as they left her office. "I'll see you out on the dais in a bit Fergus, hopefully, with my wayward mage in tow."

"I hope so."

Alistair watched as Fergus walked down the stairs next to Anders, laughing and clapping him on the shoulder. Alistair was transfixed watching them, Anders looked so different. He was wearing trousers and a lightweight tunic. His hair was down but braided back on the sides similar to how Zevran usually wore his hair. His boots were highly polished and he wore no jewelry at all.

Zevran touched Alistair's shoulder, "Tesoro, you should stop gawking."

"Do you see him? Why is he dressed like that?" Alistair scowled, "Anders hates trousers."

Zevran shrugged, "Perhaps he is wearing them for Fergus."

"I hope Fergus doesn't get the wrong idea about Anders."

"And what idea would that be?"

Alistair turned to Zevran, "Oh, come on, you know how Anders is. I just don't want Fergus to be disappointed if, well what if Fergus has feelings for him?"

Zevran chuckled, "Did you ever think it was just two men who enjoyed each other's company doing exactly that?"

"I suppose. You know I've barely spoken with Fergus, I was hoping to get to know him a bit better. We should probably both get to know him better."

Zevran laughed, "If you want."

Alistair scowled, "We're family shouldn't we get to know each other better?"

Zevran nodded, "I suppose, but maybe the tournament isn't the best time for that. Fergus is enjoying himself, from what 'Reyna said, he needs it. Can you imagine trying to clean up Highever after what Howe did to his family? Let him have some frivolous fun, Tesoro."

Alistair smiled at Zevran, "You're right, as usual. I think I'm just worried about him being upset with us. 'Reyna said he knows about the three of us."

"And he has made no complaint, so I am not worried, nor should you be. Ah, and here is our lady now." He turned to Sareyna who was returning from the kitchens with a small cloth sack. "And just what have you got in there, Querida?"

Sareyna smiled, "I've been craving sweets all day. Shannon had some chocolate and made these wonderful cookies with it. She cut it up into pieces and put it in." She opened the small sack and handed them each one. "You have to try it."

Zevran took a bite and closed his eyes with relish, chewing the cookie slowly making low noises of satisfaction.

Alistair's whole face lit up as he ate it, "Those are amazing. We need to give that woman a raise." He laughed.

"Believe me, if I thought I could sneak it past Woolsey I would." She took Alistair's arm when he offered it and the three of them headed out to the dais to watch the archery contest.

As they settled in Zevran leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Don't let me forget that I have a surprise for you this afternoon." He kissed her on the cheek and turned his attention back to the field as the contest started.

None of the Wardens were surprised when Nathaniel won the contest, but there were several very promising archers from those who competed with him. One of Fergus' men among them, the other two were hunters from near Amaranthine. Nathaniel declined the purse that was offered to him, asking that it be split between the three who had placed behind him, causing the crowd to go suddenly silent.

Sareyna was worried that it would be seen as an insult, but after a few moments of shocked silence the crowd erupted in whoops and hollers as they cheered Nathaniel's decision. Cheeks flaring red in embarrassment Nathaniel quickly quit the field only to be accosted by people who wanted to congratulate him and praise his generosity. Howe or not he made friends that night.

Sareyna invited all three of the men to dinner with her and the Wardens that night. She wanted to get to know them all a little better before making a decision whether or not to make any of them Wardens. She also wanted Nathaniel's expert opinion before she talked to any of them.

As the archery equipment was being pulled from the field Alistair slipped away. Sareyna was more than a little surprised when he walked into the middle of the field some twenty minutes later. He was dressed in the leather and chainmail armor that Wade had made for him. The sword he carried was Vigilance, another creation by Wade and the shield he held was Duncan's.

Sareyna turned to Zevran, "Did you know about this? What's he doing?"

Zevran just smiled, "Watch Querida."

Alistair issued a challenge to all comers and Sareyna cringed as a line formed to face her husband. There weren't many serious injuries at Tournaments any more, but that didn't mean they didn't happen at all. She was sitting forward gripping the wooden rail in front of her. She felt a gentle touch on her back and turned to see Anders standing there.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I'll go down there, just in case, alright? Relax; you're going to break that rail."

Sareyna laughed in relief. "Thank you, Anders."

He dropped a wink and disappeared off the dais.

The first warrior entered the field to challenge Alistair. The fight was over almost before it had even begun. Alistair, who had always been fast, was lightning quick in the lighter armor. As she watched him cut down opponent after opponent Sareyna started to relax.

Zevran slid his hand onto her thigh and squeezed lightly, "Watch him, Querida, watch how he moves, fast, strong, deadly. Is he not the sexiest man you have ever seen?"

As Sareyna watched him, watched how his body moved, watched how he took out his opponents with seeming ease, she found he was indeed the sexiest man she had ever seen. He had the sheer power of a warrior and wielded it brilliantly, but in the lighter armor he also utilized his speed as she and Zevran had taught him. The man was all power and grace and it took her breath away. Sareyna felt her breathing speed up as she watched him.

She could feel herself flush and heard Zevran's gentle laughter from beside her. "Good to know I'm not the only one enjoying this performance perhaps a little too much." He discreetly brought her hand to his lap, pressing it against the evidence of exactly how much he was enjoying Alistair's display of raw masculinity. Zevran's voice dropped a bit lower as he moved close to her ear, "And he's all ours."

Sareyna nodded, "What's scheduled after this?" She couldn't tear her eyes off of Alistair.

"They're setting up the field for some horsemanship exercises."

"Good, I think we're going to have to help Alistair wash down after his exertions." Her tone and slick smile made it clear exactly what she was planning on doing with their warrior.

The fight seemed to rage on and on and though Alistair was showing clear signs of tiring he had yet to be defeated. Sareyna watched as another man walked off the field and another man walked on. The new opponent seemed a bit shorter than the others and she wondered if it was an elf. The large armor made it impossible to tell, but Sareyna was interested to find out.

It was only a few minutes into the battle when Sareyna realized this one was going to be different. The newcomer matched Alistair blow for blow and never gave an inch. She watched a smile form on Alistair's lips, he was enjoying the challenge, none of the warriors currently at the Keep were much of a challenge anymore, he knew all of their moves and how they thought.

His only source of new training with a warrior had been with Justice and it hadn't taken Alistair very long to adapt to the unique abilities that Justice had. Alistair spent most of his time training with the rogues at the Keep because at least their speed made it more difficult for him. Now here was this new opponent who was challenging him.

Alistair actually laughed when the warrior knocked him backwards a few steps, but he came back with a more aggressive attack and took back the ground he had ceded. The new challenge seemed to reinvigorate Alistair as you couldn't even tell he had been fighting for nearly an hour before his latest opponent. He moved light on his feet, around the smaller warrior.

Sareyna stood up out of her chair when Alistair was knocked to his back. The other warrior seemed to think the fight was over as they started to lower their weapon but Alistair was back on his feet in a blink thanks to the lightweight armor. He caught the warrior off guard and knocked them to the ground and leveled his sword at the prone warrior's throat.

The warrior raised his hand, conceding defeat. Alistair helped him to his feet with a smile and brought him over to the dais. "Let the Commander see you."

There was a moment's hesitation before the warrior pulled off his helm. A tumble of dark red hair spilled free and a moment later it was clear that the warrior was in fact a woman. Sareyna laughed delightedly and bowed to the woman. The crowd cheered raucously seeing her.

"That was some amazing work out there."

The woman shook her head, "He's bloody fast."

"He is, what's your name?"

"Whitney, ser."

"Would you join me and the Wardens for dinner this evening?"

Whitney looked uncertain for moment before nodding, "I would be honored."

"Excellent, I look forward to speaking with you."

Whitney quickly left the field and Alistair moved back to the center of the field to face the last few opponents. He was never beaten though he did come close during the last battle. The fatigue was clearly getting the best of him at the end and when he finally stepped off the field to wild cheering his relief was clear to see.

Sareyna and Zevran met him at the corner of the field as he walked towards them with Anders.

"Doesn't he look awfully tired, Anders? There's another event today, maybe you could help him out." Sareyna struggled in vain to keep a straight face.

Anders laughed, "Sure." He looked around and when he was sure no one was looking he cast a quick spell.

Sareyna's smile collapsed, "Anders, I don't want you to be hiding your magic, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

Anders smiled, "I'm just being discreet while Fergus is here, I know he feels the same way you do, but I want to make it easier on him if I can." Sareyna watched him for a moment still looking uncertain. "It's fine, really 'Reyna. It's my choice."

Sareyna sighed, "Alright."

"Now go enjoy your husband." He shooed her off as he walked back to the dais where Fergus was clearly waiting for him.

Sareyna headed inside with her two men to enjoy a little recreation of their own.