A note: Co-written with Gaspode5. As always, love to Fenzev, Jaden, Shakespira and Keadwen. Your comments makes this story wastely better, and longer I fear...;)


The Eel

After a wash and downing one of Amaury's famous hangover remedies, Duncan felt slightly better, SLIGHTLY! Groaning he leaned over to pull on his boots.

"That will teach you not to drink anything Morholt recommends." came a hoarse voice from across the room. Duncan glared at the bed where Riordan was carefully lowering his feet to the floor. Last night had been filled with drunken confessions about fear, incertitude and longing on both sides. Duncan had woken up with his face wedged beneath Riordan's jaw. Now he felt kind of embarrassed. Luckily they had both been too sloshed to make much sense. They had fallen asleep as soon as they crashed onto the bed which Duncan suspected all in all wasn't a bad thing.

"Guess you're the expert." he groused.

"Where did you get those guys from Jader anyway? Mutt-face is usually only on the loose when the guards in solitary forgets to lock the cells."

"Mathilde said I could only take people stupid enough to volunteer, they volunteered! Actually the dwarf was very concerned about your well being."

"That's because I owe him money and Mutt-face was the one who broke my nose, again. Of course, then I broke his. After that we came to an understanding. I could have tried to sweet-talk him instead I guess... " There was something in the tone of Riordan's voice that made Duncan pause to glance at him. He had markings from the sheet on his face. The eyes were swollen with sleep and his hair was a snarled mass. Duncan had never found him more desirable. He moved to stand in front of the other man. Shaking his head he reached out to muss his hair ever further.

"You're rambling."

"Don't I fucking know it?" Suddenly Riordan buried his face against Duncan's stomach hard enough to make him wince. It was a strange moment leaving Duncan lost for words; all he could think to say was,

"Hey, I'm just going to the Val. It's a stroll in the park." Riordan fell back on the bed and the moment was lost.

"Of course. Better get going then."

Even more confused, Duncan withdrew and began to put on his armour. As he adjusted the last of his buckles he said. "Try to be a bit nicer to Alyse, she has taken a shine to you." Andraste's tits, why had he said that? Was he intent on ruining everything this morning?

"Blight, I'll be nice to the woman if it pleases you." Riordan muttered sourly. "You want me to fuck her too? Sure, no big deal."

Ill at ease Duncan assembled the last of his gear. "I wish I didn't, but I really have to go. This is my opportunity to push my ideas concerning the night raids as well. We'll talk more when I get back." He tried to catch the other man's eyes but Riordan was facing away.

"It's all we ever do these days; wish each other a safe journey."

"Duty's a bitch." The words sounded hollow even as Duncan said them.

"Yeah, by all means, let's not forget duty."

"Riordan, I..."

The man cut him off without turning. "Stay safe, that's enough for me. Just stay safe." Again Duncan was at a loss for words. Anything he said right now would probably be wrong anyway.

"I will." He glanced one last time at the figure on the bed, Riordan didn't look back.

-ooo-

Remaining on the bed Riordan listened to the sounds of the Wardens assembling. There was Duncan's voice, brisk and down-to-earth and Guilbert's reply, quiet and to the point. No instructions necessary. Good man Guilbert. Riordan turned his face towards the ceiling as the men moved out. He imagined Duncan anxiously sizing up his horse before mounting. The thought made his mouth twitch. He rubbed his face before spreading his arms wide. This was stupid. What had he expected; really? That Duncan would say 'Sod this!' and stay? That was beyond childish.

There was a gaping hole in Riordan's soul now that had to be filled. With Duncan gone what was his agenda? 'Be nice to the woman.' Right! Was it his fault she'd latched on to him? He liked her well enough and she was a beauty to booth. Surely she would have no trouble finding a better man. They had shared hard times true but those times were gone. The sooner she snapped out of it, the better, for her and for him. Why was Duncan even moaning about it? Was he wondering if he could have her?

Closing his eyes, Riordan recalled the feeling of Duncan' body against his face, the scent of him... and just like that he was bloody done for. He had a choice between having a quick one off the wrist right now or get to the Eel and do it inside a whore. He preferred a whore, at least when she was better than him but it was a bit early. He should hit the practice field. Grabbing Duncan's amulet he held it for a few moments. Nothing of course. Fuck practice! He felt rotten enough to get back to sleep, the rest could wait. Moving his feet he noticed he had one boot still on, never mind.

-ooo-

Alyse wasn't sure why she had let herself be talked into to visiting this place, it was obviously a brothel. However, she was very glad she wasn't sober, that gave her an excuse for following Beatris all the same. She really liked the woman, her laid back attitude and her total disregard for what was considered appropriate, but sometimes it was a bit much for Alyse to stomach.

The taproom was noisy, crowded and smelled of cheap perfume, ale and sweat. With a sinking feeling Alyse saw that it also was full of altogether far too many familiar faces. "Woops, more Wardens than I expected." her friend murmured as if pleased. Alyse found it rather embarrassing that so many of her colleagues would see her in a place such as this. She was also already beginning to feel crowded, as if the sheer amount of people somehow diminished her and she ran the risk of disappearing altogether.

"Clarice said this wasn't a proper place for women." she said hesitantly, immediately hating herself for sounding like a prude. She wasn't sure she approved of the fact that some places were not 'proper' for women.

"Don't give me that crap." Beatris snapped. "Besides, we're not women, we're Wardens. It would do Clarice a world of good to remember that sometimes."

"Hey, I like Clarice!" Alyse objected.

"So do I. Next time we make her come too."

"I'm not sure that's the solution..." Alyse began.

"Over there, there's Runt!" She found herself dragged towards a table where the Warden Roland was sitting like a man mountain, dwarfing several other wardens she was vaguely acquainted with. They appeared engrossed in an argument about whether Dragonbone armour was truly superior to Silverite. As she and Beatrice approached they were greeted with genuine surprise and plenty of awkwardness. One of the wardens had a girl on his lap and looked like he was contemplating shoving her off him as he glanced worriedly at Beatris settling down next to him. "Don't mind us; we're just two of the boys." Beatrice beamed in his direction. The man flinched at that and suddenly looked down at his hand resting on the girl's thigh, he jerked it back as if he'd been burned.

The Warden Roland gave them a thoughtful look but refrained from speaking. One of the younger wardens winked at Beatris and signalled for more ale. Embarrassed silence settled over the group. The warden who had ordered the ale, Alyse thought his name was Bertrand, seemed the only one, except for Roland, who wasn't bothered by their presence. He grinned at Beatris. "You do know they don't have male whores here, don't you? Beatris smiled and leaned forward.

"Well that begs the question, what are you doing here?" There was scattered laughter and some of the tension eased. The serving wench arrived with the ale and Alyse took hers gratefully. As she sipped it and looked around her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure descending the stairs. Her heart plummeted into her stomach and she watched as Riordan ambled towards them. He straddled a bench and leaned his back against the wall, cocking a questioning eyebrow at her. She could feel herself bristle and tried hard to hide it. Instead she tried her own brand of casual and said, "From what I've heard I didn't expect to find you upright". Riordan grinned unrepentantly.

"Been watching me? I find myself wondering why?"

Alyse blustered as her cheeks grew hot. "It's rather hard to avoid. Everyone seems to think that we are some kind of buddies now."

He shrugged. "Well, we are aren't we? And you may tell THEM that I'm a reformed man. Being around Duncan does that to you."

"That's a nicer way of saying you're fucking him." The handsome Antivan Alyse knew as Vittorio, shot across the table as he seated himself. Riordan smiled rather maliciously leaning in.

"Don't be jealous sweet Joy. I have offered to tumble you many times, but you always chicken out."

"Cunt!"

Riordan leered and raised his mug in a toast. "See, we can have a polite conversation these days, that's the kind of man I've become!"

Alyse couldn't resist a smile before glancing around the room. "So where is Duncan anyway?"

"Oh, off to the Val." Riordan shrugged. When the order needs to impress the powers that be, they wave Duncan around. If that fails they just throw Roland at them. Usually shuts them up." He was interrupted by a woman plopping herself down on his lap. Her profession was made apparent by the clothing she wasn't wearing.

"I think you forgot something." She smiled coyly from under kohl rimmed eyelashes.

"Ah, yes, sorry ..., here! He slipped some coins into her hand."

"Thank you sweetheart and this time don't forget to pay Bregin as well." The woman grabbed his chin playfully.

"Don't get mad Mariotta. Why don't I just give you the money now and you pay Bregin, just in case." Riordan offered.

"I don't know why I put up with you!" She simpered at him.

Riordan snorted. "Because it's your job love." As she slid off his lap he gave her a slap on the rump and grinned as she laughed and swatted him on the shoulder.

"She's robbing you blind!" Roland pointed out when the woman had left.

"I know, but believe me, she's worth every penny."

"That's how reformed you are?" Alyse scoffed.

"I'm SITTING at a table, not lying under it. I count that as a major improvement."

"Pah! A swine that has learned to jump through hoops is still a swine." Vittorio quipped.

To Alyse's astonishment Riordan laughed with the others before responding.

"That was actually very witty, I love it! In fact I think I'll make it my personal motto. And here I thought you were good for nothing except wanking."

"Riordan, we have women here." Roland objected drying tears of mirth from his eyes.

"We're not women, we're Grey Wardens. Name is Beatris and the one with the red face is Alyse."

Roland eyed Beatris' ample bosom which threatened to escape her tunic. "Could have fooled me." he muttered.

"Ah Beatris! Then you are coming with me to The Roads the end of this week." Riordan butted in cheerfully.

"I am?"

"Yes, got the order this morning."

"Recruits again?" Roland wondered.

"No. It's one of the 'I have obtained a secret map to fabulous riches in a long forgotten corner of the Roads. Send some of your Wardens to get it and I'll lick your ass forever' jobs." Riordan drawled. "I'll lead us around a bit, splat some Spawn, then come back and be told I'm incompetent since no one will ever admit that they've been conned."

Roland nodded in sympathy. "The rotten way of the world."

Riordan took another draught. "I don't know why you are smirking Vittorio since you're coming too and you know that if I get the chance, I'll shift the blame on you and I'm going to make it stick so hard you'll have to rip your skin off to clear your precious name."

The Antivan's face darkened. "I hear you."

"I'm looking forward to travel with you." Beatris studied Riordan appreciatively and somehow managed to put a world of innuendo into those innocent words. Riordan leaned forward planting his elbows on his knees and eyed the woman with sudden interest.

"You are? Then I hope you are a better rider than your friend here." He nodded to Alyse. Beatris reached forward and patted Riordan on the knee. A wide smile split her face in half.

"Yes Warden, I think you will find me an excellent rider if you give me the chance." Alyse tried not to gape at the blatant suggestiveness. Riordan smiled, casting a meaningful glance at Alyse.

"I'm sure I will." The ale stuck in her throat. A burning hurt lanced through her chest and she couldn't breathe. All she could think of was that she needed to get away from here, now! She clung desperately to self-control, calmly put her mug down and stood. "Excuse me, I..." She couldn't think of anything to say so she simply turned and walked away. The crowd jostled her and the warm damp air made her feel dizzy. By the time she reached the door she was almost running and she stumbled out into the cool night.

The noise of the taproom was abruptly cut off as the door shut behind her. For a few moments she just stood there breathing deeply, her head tilted back as a soft drizzle settled on her hot face. It just wasn't fair! She'd shared so much with Riordan and nothing would ever come of it. But Beatris who didn't know him at all, for her it was so easy. It was so obvious what would happen and the thought hurt more than Alyse had expected. 'Too pretty!' Maker what a joke. She hadn't even realised she cared that much, until now. She rubbed her damp face. The door opened behind her so she hurried off, not wanting to meet anybody. "Are you all right? You shot out like an oiled Nug." Riordan called behind her. Any other time she would have been overjoyed to hear his voice but now...

"Why, yes, no, I had too much to drink that's all." She was relieved the lie came so readily. Riordan stepped closer, shaking his head. "Tell me about it! Here, lean on me, I'll walk you home." He slipped an arm around her.

"Really I can manage on my own!" She protested, but rather weakly since he got her back in a firm grip.

"After all the trouble I had keeping you alive I would hate to loose you because you fell down drunk in the wrong street. Also it'll be a nice change of perspective for me. Anytime you feel like barfing just say so."

"No, no, I'll be fine in a minute," She added hurriedly, "but I'm grateful for the company."

"Anytime." He squeezed her shoulders. Alyse tried to find something smart to say to turn the answer into an invite like Beatris always seemed to be able to do, but came up empty.

"Have you ever found anything valuable in the Roads?"

Riordan took a while to answer. "Only once."

Turning to look at him she asked, genuinely curious now, "What was it? Jewels, weapons?" He shook his head with a private smile.

"No it was something much more valuable."

At the gates to the compound he left her with a wave and a few tips on how to cure a hangover and she returned to the dormitory more confused than ever. Why could he not have continued being the prick so she could get angry at him? Now it was suddenly so very complicated. Undressing she remembered a conversation she once had with her father.

'You are a beauty, and I'm not saying that just because I'm your father. There will be men...'

She rolls her eyes at his worried frown. 'Oh please, I'm not a virgin.'

'I'm not talking about the tanner's boy. You have too much of your mother's beauty not to draw attention. Just make sure the man you chose, wants you for the right reasons.'

'Fine, I will. Happy now?'

She folded her chemise and shook her head at the stupidity of it all. Had this been her father's only concern he would have thoroughly approved of Riordan who had no interest in her looks at all, or any other part of her for that matter.

She crawled into bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. She had told Beatris she preferred Duncan to Riordan and once it had been true. Fate had a nasty sense of humour.