Chapter Eleven

Lessons

The next morning, I was up before anyone else and slipped softly from Hawkes arms. I quickly cleaned up and smiled as I pulled on one of his shirts – seeing as he was 9 inches taller than me, the shirt hung to my knees.

I left the room and began making bacon, potatoes and eggs with homemade tortillas and fresh cheese. I was just plating it all as everyone came into the kitchen/dining room area. I smiled and winked at Hawkes smirk.

Alistair was frowning as he stared at Hawkes shirt on me… but I figured if he were truly interested, he might say something rather than begrudge me a night or two with someone else. Alistair may be one of my potential mates, but that didn't mean we would be together… and we weren't now.

I spoke happily, "Good morning, everyone! I took the liberty of making breakfast."

Bethany smiled at me and Leandra thanked me as everyone sat at the table. "I'll be back… I should get change…!" I squeaked as Hawke pulled me into his lap.

Carver gave a snort of disgust.

"You're fine like that. You cooked, you should at least eat." Leandra was nodding at Garretts' words. I shrugged – if they really didn't mind…

I chuckled and folded my taco into a burrito before taking a bite.

"I must thank you, Atarah… for keeping it quite last night," Morrigan smirked. So I gave her a devious look, "Oh the wonders of Magic never cease. A simple sound barrier took care of that."

Alistair choked on his food and Aedan pounded him on the back. When everyone finished their food, I tried to get up while reaching for plates, but Hawke tightened his arms around me while Bethany took the Plates. I pouted but he nuzzled my neck and said, "You cooked, someone else cleans. That is the rule of the house."

"Fine… Alistair, as senior Warden, you're in charge today. Morrigan and Daylen you can stay back to learn my spells if you wish. Alistair, Aedan, Lyna and Sereda – I want you to clear out those bandits today. After that, see if there are other chantry board missions. Todays' magic lessons include two of my healing spells – Swift-mend and Regrowth. If we have time I might throw in Conjure Water and Detect Magic… depends how quickly you learn." I winked.

"Conjure Water? That is not possible…" I cut off Morrigans words as I held out my hand palm up and used the Ability to summon a water skin full of water.

"My Magic is old, Morrigan. These abilities have been taught for more than 30,000 years where I am from. They are more than possible…" I smiled at Bethanys' awed look.

Carver said, "Orders for me?"

I thought for a minute, "You can go with them if you want – or… Alistair; I know the Mother made you promise, but do you think you can teach Carver the Templar arts?"

He groaned, "Why ask if you know?"

I sighed, hoping to sway him, "Because – if Carver hadn't been recruited by me, then he could have been a Templar. I interrupted the flow of time. Either he would have been a Templar in about a year, or he would have been recruited to the Wardens then…"

Alistair relaxed a bit, "He would have been a Templar? I mean… I suppose that is different – alright, I'll teach him what I can while we're here but… please don't ask me to teach others."

I smiled, "I won't – I only ask for Carver because in a few other timelines, he is a Templar. He was supposed to climb the ranks of the Gallows – and still, he never would have turned his siblings in. Meredith would have punished him for that, but he never gets kicked from the order."

"Wait… Meredith would have found out?" Alistair asked. I nodded, "Yes – but due to certain circumstances at that time, Meredith can't take them to the Gallows; they'll be allowed to live at home with Leandra. Anyway, you teach Carver what you can – Aedan can lead the group to clear the Bandits; just grab Leliana so you still have good numbers."

"Okay – but I need more armor; I ripped what you gave me before," Aedan said.

I summoned Void Storage again, causing gasps from the Hawke family as the purple and black box that swirled with void energy appeared before me. I knelt to the floor and rummaged in the box. I pulled out Demon Hunter Leathers and handed them to him. "These were crafted for a class of Elves known as 'Illidari' or Demon Hunters. They were made to withstand quite a bit of abuse."

Aedan when to change and when he came out he looked… rather sexy. "Is it supposed to have two slashes in the back?"

"That was for their wings. I can sew those up later." I shrugged causing a few comical looks. Lyna perked up, "Will you tell us more about the Illidari? You're their Queen and we really don't know much…"

Hawke choked, "Queen?"

Carver – seeing the chance – spoke up, "Yeah – Illidari are Demon Hunters; all of them are Elven. Also, she's betrothed to the High King of the Alliance – a man that rules over more than 10 other races."

Hawke cursed, "You're betrothed?"

"It only takes effect if I go back to Azeroth while unmarried. I've told Andy that I don't want to be the High Queen – and I'm a Pariah anyway. There's no point; he'd end up having to abdicate or worse. I'm attempting to get him to break the engagement – besides, because it was a betrothal rather than a mutual engagement, we'd not be able to marry for another year."

Hawke frowned, "That… you didn't tell me that you were betrothed. I wouldn't have slept with you if I had known."

I blinked and sighed, "I'd contact Andy to show you that it was completely fine – he doesn't expect me to be celibate since he knows how dragons are – but… he's been recently kidnapped and taken to the Shadowlands. I could contact Inas, but you'd think he was covering for me… Malfurion doesn't like me; we could contact him?"

"Wait – the king was kidnapped?"

I shrugged, "He'll be fine – Inas will save him… soon enough; but if it really makes you uncomfortable, then we'll stop – it's that simple. When Anduin finds out that I met actual potential mates, he may step aside."

"How does Anduin know about that – I thought the dragons kept that secret closely guarded?" Alistair asked.

"… Queen Alexstrasza told him – most racial leaders know. I advised against telling Sylvanas – they seemed to agree so the Banshee bitch doesn't know. Meeting our mates… it's somewhat sacred. Like I said, it marks our coming of age, and… well, there's more to it than that. Marrying me could doom Anduins' reign. There's no point considering so many people hate me that they would riot."

Hawke shook his head, "I'm not kicking you out of bed – but we won't be doing more than sleeping. It isn't right that we did that when you're betrothed."

I sighed, "That's your choice – but I didn't agree to the betrothal; my Uncle set it up while I was out cold and here. I had no say in the matter. Now, Alistair, you get to teaching Carver; I'll teach Hawke, Bethany, Morrigan and Daylen."

I saw the thoughtfulness on Hawkes' face – he was thinking over my words. But he said we wouldn't sleep together anymore, so we wouldn't.

"Wait – the Illidari?" Lyna asked again.

I sighed, "Illidari harness the energy and essence of the demons themselves as well as utilizing Fel energy to fight Demons. Wielding the powers of demons they've slain, they develop demonic features that incite revulsion and dread in fellow elves. Demon hunters made a pact, long ago, to fight against the forces of chaos using their own terrible powers against it. They ritually blind themselves in exchange for spectral sight that enables them to better sense their prey. This enhanced awareness, together with their great agility and magical prowess, makes demon hunters unpredictable adversaries. They wield demonically charged warblades in battle and call upon demonic energies to augment their formidable combat skills. Father had horns and glowing green eyes."

Alistair softly spoke – as though afraid he'd upset me, "Your father was the creator of the Illidari… what about him?"

I sighed, "He was just like everyone else. Once he knew I was his daughter, he loathed me. It was as though it was my fault that I was born… I don't hate him, if that's what you're asking. I just… he only ever loved one woman – and that woman was not my mother. In fact, my mother only slept with my father because they were both drunk. My parents have both called me their greatest mistake. My father may have changed his mind at the end – that last day that he saw me… but it fucking hurts to hear the man you thought might care for you – because he seemed okay with me before being imprisoned for so damn long – say that he wished you never existed. It's not the first time I heard those words, either. My mother, uncle, aunt, and generally anyone I met… I was held as a Prisoner of War for two hundred years because the only ones who wanted to mount a rescue were overruled."

"… That sucks," Sereda said after a moment of silence.

When the others left, I still wasn't given a chance to change out of Hawkes shirt – not that he said anything about it. He just looked away guiltily. I felt bad now – I had put that look in his eyes.

By the time the others came back, having turned in the bounty for the Bandits and picked up the locket quest; Hawke, Bethany, Morrigan and Daylen had learned 3 of the spells; Conjure Water being what we were now working on. "Envision the Water skin, feel it in your hands, hear the water sloshing within. Magic is all about intent; envision what you want to happen, and your magic will work to make it real."

As expected, Hawke was the first to get it, then Morrigan… Bethany then Daylen was last.

Hawke pulled me aside before dinner, "You're… you're sure that Anduin will step aside?"

"Andy would never force anything on anyone. I just need to get it through to him that I can't and don't want to marry him. Andy would view marrying me against my will as akin to rape – he won't do it."

Hawke flinched but nodded, "Then… I will take you at your word. But if I find out later that this isn't the case, and we slept together and betrayed a man, then I will demand that you make things right with both of us."

I nodded, "And I would – I'm far too loyal not to. I don't recognize the… hang on…"

I called Inas. Vanessa answered, "Iris!"

"Ness – answer me one question; would I ever agree to marry Andy?"

She snorted, "Anduin? No, at least – not while he's the High King. I can talk to him when he gets back, baby girl – he'll break the betrothal the minute he realizes that you really don't want it – and why. I know you – you could never be High Queen of a people who neglected and abused you for so many centuries. It isn't fair to you – you bent over backwards to make sure the world was safe time and time again and these people just… throw rotting food and spit at you! If there weren't so many and I didn't know your thoughts on the matter, I might have killed those people for that!"

I nodded along to her while Hawke looked slightly stunned. I sighed, "Ness – tell Inas to call me when he goes to Icecrown to speak with Bolvar. I'll go into the Maw with him."

"Sure – I need someone to look after him while I'm stuck here getting bigger than a house. What brought this up anyway – the thing with King Anduin?"

"I took a lover and he's trying to protect my betrothed."

"Anduin won't force you – he likes you and wants your love; if you marry him out of duty, he'll feel like cow shit. You might sleep with Anduin, but you won't marry him – you're adamant that he needs to be king and you won't accept the Queens' Throne."

"Thanks babe – you get back to Inas…"

"He's in the shower – so this was just good timing on your part. Oooh, do you think he'll port to Kul Tiras for those ocean berries?"

I sniggered, "He totally would if you told him why you want them."

We cut the connection after that and Hawke said, "Ocean berries?"

"She's pregnant; she's probably got a craving for them. Ness used to be my girlfriend before things didn't work out and she ended up with Inas. Look – I haven't had a good track record with romance and… there's something about my specific race that means Andy and I can never get married. I can sleep with him for now, but… I can't marry him. Dragons have life mates that they can find; I found two and neither of them are Andy. And with the way I look and my horrible luck in romance… I'll never have them. I mean shit – I was surprised you were willing to sleep with me; you're hot! My potential mates are hot – so hot – and then there's me… I know my worth…"

He had me against the wall, "Obviously you don't if you'd say something that stupid. I thought you were supposed to get smarter as you got older. Who are your mates; I'll show them a thing or two about appreciating what's in front of them…"

I sighed, "Alistair and a Templar at Kinlock Hold. This… even if one of them wanted me, I can't have either one. Alistair is the heir to the throne – as approved by his half-brother Cailan – and Cullen is a Templar."

He looked at me shocked, "Wait – that awkward man who glares at me anytime I show you any affection is one of your mates and the heir to the throne?"

I nodded, "Yeah – I don't know why he doesn't like you; my best guess is that you're a mage and he was Templar trained."

"No sweetness – he likes you; he really likes you. Any blind idiot could see he wants you – except you it seems. Do you want to make him jealous? I take it you want him – and that if he wanted you, you would actually act on it…"

"Of course I want him – but he's the heir to the throne of a Human dominated country in a human dominated world."

"And you are a queen of demon hunting warriors – you marrying him would secure a strong alliance. Back to my question," he whispered as he kissed me on the cheek.

"Do you think that would work?" I asked.

"Only one way to find out," he smirked. I nodded – I wondered; I would admit that.

Hawkes' next words were a mere breath against my neck, "Then relax – and enjoy…" he nipped at my neck as I let my head fall back. I knew what he was doing – I had scented Alistair the moment he entered the room. A gasp left my mouth as Hawke began to leave a mark on my neck.

Suddenly, Hawke was pulled away from me. Alistair spoke, "Aedan says dinner is ready."

I was breathing heavily, "O-oh… we'll be right there. Thank you for telling us, Alistair."

Alistair released Hawkes' shirt, but didn't leave. He said, "I… sorry to have interrupted."

I frowned as he left – he hadn't seemed jealous at all to me… Hawke sniggered, "That boy has it bad."

"What – how do you figure?"

"He pulled me off you – he actually grabbed my shirt and pulled. There is no way he doesn't like or want you, Tara."

"Call me Iris," I said absently. Hawke looked confused, "Why Iris?"

"It's my middle name – only family and lovers use it; current and past. You really think he was jealous? He just seemed to be trying to get our attention. He did clear his throat twice before resorting to that."

Hawke laughed, "I know he did – I ignored him to see what his next move would be. Sweetness, if he didn't care, he would have just left and had someone else interrupt us. If looks could kill, I'd be ash and dust now. Look, sit in my lap again at dinner – watch your 'mate' and tell me that he doesn't glance our way every five minutes with a frown."

I agreed to try it and we headed out to the dining area. I sat easily in Hawkes' lap – I was a very touchy person anyway.

Alistair had his jaw clenched but he didn't look at us with a glare every five minutes. In fact, he mostly ignored us. I sighed as I cleaned up – I hadn't cooked tonight, so I swooped in to clean.

Hawke held me from behind, "I know he didn't do what I said, but… I can see he cares…"

I shook my head sadly, "You were wrong Hawke – he didn't look like he cared at all that I was in your lap… it looked more like he was just wondering how you could hold my weight the one time he looked at us. I tried it – we checked… he doesn't want me… I knew he wouldn't so it's fine." But why did I have such a lump in my throat over it?

I trusted that Hawke had been right – that he would be jealous. But he only glanced our way if we spoke to him, and he was rather amiable about it all. No, Alistair hadn't been jealous at all.

My shoulders drooped – I knew that my original purpose in bedding Hawke had been to try and make Alistair show his intentions; and when Hawke offered help with that, I had jumped at the chance.

I had been stupid to hope that my mate would want me. I knew better – Ness had been my first exclusive relationship since Kayn was locked up and I thought him dead. The others had all been strictly sexual once in a while.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts, "I knew better – at least, I should have known better. I've been married twice; I know what to look for and those things haven't shown in Alistairs' eyes. He hasn't made any moves – he… I know better."

I could feel Hawke frowning behind me. He kissed my shoulder lightly, "I'm sorry sweetness; I know I see that he cares – he just didn't react like I expected."

I shook my head again as I finished up the dishes, "Don't worry about it, Hawke; I expected this. I knew he didn't want me. It was obvious from the start. I'm not the only one he's flirted with and with them it was intentional. I could see that; he never actually meant to flirt with me; he just has a few smooth lines. He seems to like Sereda better and… I guess that's better for him. She can be his mistress and help her get over the heart-break when she learns what her ex-lover is up to. I… I can't even stay in Ferelden for much longer after the Blight ends; there's no point in my being interested in him – even if he wanted me, the Landsmeet would never allow us to marry and they wouldn't want me to be his mistress when I'm from another world. Life was never kind to me – and maybe someday I'll tell you all of the ways life has made known that it hates me in particular. For now, just knowing that both of my mates are Templar trained and that I'm a mage should do the trick just fine. Do you still not plan to sleep with me? I have somewhere else I can go for the night."

He jerked in surprise, "I er… where would you go?"

That answered my question, "I'll see you in the morning then – I'll be sleeping in the Oblivion Plane with the other monsters and demons."

I cast the spell and when I landed, Jeeves looked surprised. I waved at him and headed to my room. I thought of this as both my house and his – so we were like roommates.

When I arrived back the next morning, they were all sitting down for breakfast. Hawke shot out of his chair and hugged me close to him when he saw me.

"Sweetness, what the fuck was that? You just vanished into thin air – and we couldn't find you and…"

"I told you where I went, Hawke," my voice was rough – I hadn't slept last night at all.

Alistairs' voice cut in, "All he would tell us was that you said you would sleep somewhere else last night – he said that you two had a fight. He didn't tell us where, but we all knew that you wouldn't be anywhere around here – only the Hawkes looked around thinking it was a stealth spell."

I shook my head, "I slept in the Oblivion Planes – I have a house there that's cut off from the heat, lava, and monsters that inhabit the realm. I also have a 'servant' there – I call him Jeeves and treat him more like a roommate. It isn't exactly my fault that he is soul bound to serve my every command and I couldn't pronounce his real name so… here we are."

"Where are the Oblivion Planes?" Aedan asked.

"In the Void," I shrugged. "I made my home between Moonshadow, the Hunting Grounds, and the Deadlands. Moonshadow is a giant garden full of roses; a city of silver; and breathtaking vistas brimming with waterfalls, flowers, and majestic trees where the wind and rain carry heady perfumes which is ruled by Azura; the Lady of Twilight; the Hunting Grounds are like werewolf heaven, and Many of the creatures that inhabit the plane are much larger than those that inhabit the mortal realms – in fact it is made up mostly of dense woodland and vast grasslands and plains; and finally the plane of the Deadlands is an inhospitable nightmare of lava and molten rock, pocked with islands full of spike-like towers, and the sky perpetually storms, the natural astrology of the Deadlands perpetually burning red, casting dark shadows over the entire realm."

"… Why live between two beautiful places and a nightmare?" Lyna asked when no one else spoke.

"My pocket realm there is actually in the Deadlands, the other two are just on the other side of Plane Portals. I don't actually see those two places when I look out the window. Jeeves is from the Deadlands – he wouldn't have survived living in a house on the other two planes, so I made the house there."

"You said it was inhospitable – how is he from there?" Sereda pointed out. I smirked and summoned Jeeves.

Jeeves was 7 feet tall with a black and red face and stubbed horns. He was wearing his Deadric armor and had his arms crossed as he looked over the humanoids sitting at the table. He looked at me and spoke in the Dremora language he had taught to me after getting over the fact that I had bound him to me. That had taken 400 years and I was already an elf by then. "Do I kill them?"

I shook my head, "Jeeves, these ones are friends." I poked his head, granting him the common language of Thedas since he only knew the languages of Oblivion and Nirn. He blinked as the information settled in his head.

"I am…" the tongue he used was garbled with his accent and the word too long; I couldn't pronounce that to save my life, "But the mistress calls me Jeeves. If you must use a name that is not my own, I would prefer Jeb – it means J and will suffice as a shortening of my name."

"What are you?" Carver asked bluntly.

"I am a Dremora Valkynaz – that means I use large weapons, and I am the second most powerful type of Dremora in the Deadlands. This means I used to be one of the personal guards of the lord Mehrunes Dagon; the lord of the Deadlands and destruction, revolution and change, energy and ambition."

"Until I summoned him one time and somehow wound up linking him to me. I still don't know how, but… I try to stay out of his way. He collects things from Nirn to put in my house in the Deadlands; I can collect it directly if I need it. I only summoned Jeeves – er… Jeb – this time because I can't take you to the house in the Deadlands – it isn't meant for mortals and after two embarrassing defeats by mortals, Lord Mehrunes will kill any mortal he senses there."

Jeb looked pleased that I corrected myself – he never told me any other name to use; insisting I try to use his full name even though I stumbled on the pronunciation. It was the reason he taught me the language, but I still had trouble with his name.

I said, "You can get back to your day, Jeb – I'm sorry to have bothered you." He nodded and left.

Hawke said, "I er… I hadn't meant to have you think I was saying no last night; I was simply asking where… I mean…"

I shrugged, "I get it, Hawke – I'm betrothed against my will at the moment; I have two potential mates and you aren't one of them… no matter how you look at it, I suppose I am cheating on someone no matter who I take to bed. Betrothed to Andy, I can't sleep with my mates; having mates, I can't sleep with Andy; having both mates and Andy, I can't sleep with you. I get it – I'll swear off sex for now until I can talk to Anduin. Maybe if I sleep with him, I can get my way easier…"

Hawke flinched, "That wasn't…"

"Don't – we both know I was only using you and you even helped me with that knowing it. We all have our assignments for the day; get to work when you're done eating."

"What about you?" Daylen frowned. I shrugged, "I had blood two nights ago – I'm fine."

"Two… you took from Hawke?" Alistair asked stiffly.

"He asked – and I obliged. Look, now isn't the time – I am too close to a full moon for me to be rational about anything."

"What does the moon have to with anything?" Morrigan asked.

"I'm a werewolf as well as a vampire – that is one of my curses; I am completely coherent when I shift, but I still grow fur and a tail. I can choose to shift thanks to the Vampire side, but the moon still affects my emotional state. I get cranky, and I can't be reasoned with without a large knock to the head. I know that. I will be in Hawkes' room waiting for my students to finish eating…"

"Alistair should stay with us," Hawke said.

"Alistair will be teaching Carver about Templar abilities." I narrowed my eyes.

"Then Carver can be in the room too. If he is one of…" I tackled Hawke knowing he was about to out the Mate secret. I growled with all the feral ability of a werewolf, knowing my eyes were now glowing gold from the light on Hawkes' cheek.

"If you tell him what you were about to say; future champion or not, I will rip out your throat for ruining things. I don't mind pushing Rin to be the champion of Kirkwall in your place; and if she isn't willing, then fucking shit – I'll do it."

He smirked, "This is arousing, actually – so much for being a submissive, right?"

Carver started choking on his food. Leandra coughed a laugh, "I wouldn't make jokes in this situation, son…"

I snapped my jaw closed, "That's what he does Leandra – his whole personality is based in jokes and charm. Rin is more aggressive in nature – like Carver. Bethany is your only diplomat. Do I make myself clear, Hawke? You were wrong last night; he didn't react the way you thought. I am an Alpha wolf – you might play at being Alpha, but you can't be on my level. Repent Hawke."

He frowned, "You want… that to happen; but you won't make a move? For someone so old, you're a coward."

"I know the signs – it won't happen. If it does, then I will kiss your boots and tell you that you're right; but for now, you will repent… or I will make you regret it."

He snorted, "What would you do?"

I bit into his neck without my fangs out. I heard the others shouting in worry after they had seen me take without permission. I wasn't taking blood – I was asserting dominance.

Hawke shouted, "Fucking ouch; let go…son of a… I yield! I repent… just… shit."

I let him go and sat back, "You will remember who the alpha is; you submitted to me – unless you challenge me, I am your alpha."

He held his neck; it was bruising, "Shit… you bit me – and not in the fun way!"

"I was asserting my dominance in the pack," I snapped and got up. Sereda spoke, "Er… you didn't…"

"No blood – just a bite. Normally, the harder I bite the higher in pack status or the more dominant I see them – a mark like this would usually mean that I see him as an equal, but he submitted rather than holding out longer. He held out longer than Inas did – and that is impressive; Inas is a bear."

Alistair snorted, "So what would Hawkes' place be in the pack? And who else is in your pack?"

"I'd say Hawke secured third position. Second position would be Beta – but the Beta is also the Alphas' mate. Hawke is not – and will never be – my mate. Right now, the only other member of my pack is Inas. My other family is their own pack; when I reached age of majority, I was too dominant to submit to someone who couldn't beat me and broke off. Lor'themar is Regent Lord, and alpha of his domain. Understand that the others don't even think of themselves as packs; I see them as packs because of whom and what I am. Hawke challenged my authority in a way that I had to assert dominance – the moment he submitted, he became pack."

"So… you have to bite someone for them to be pack?"

"No – I mean… I could if it was a challenge, but simply allowing my teeth on your neck in the ways of the wolf would make you pack. I don't have to bite down unless you want a higher authority."

Carver leaned back, "And if I want to join your pack?"

"Sure – like I said, my unit is mine; I'm sort of already your Alpha, we'd just have to make it official."

Lyna sniggered before covering it with a cough when I looked at her sharply. "Anyway; I need to change clothes – I haven't been to the Oblivion Plane in a few thousand years, so all I had was stuff that didn't fit."

I headed toward Hawkes' room without another word.

Training went well for the time we had. I taught the two mages a total of 8 spells from Azeroth and 4 from Tamriel – 4 a day. From the Druid class they learned Swift-mend, Regrowth, Entangling Roots, and Wrath. From the Mage class, they learned Detect Magic, Conjure Water, Slow Fall, and Arcane Missiles. And from Skyrims magic, they learned Detect Dead, Icy Spear, Bound Bow, and Telekinesis.

Hawke actually managed to convince me to sleep with him the following two nights too… I normally wouldn't have caved but that thing he could do was so worth it…

When it came time to leave, I was surprised at how sad Bethany was.

"Will we see you again?" Bethany asked. I gave her a hug, "Of course you will Sunshine. I'm a seer remember? Besides, I like you guys too much to stay away forever! Just remember what I said about the Ogre and use what I taught you to stay alive, okay?" she nodded and Leandra hugged me next.

Leandra and Carver also gave me a hug and a hand-shake respectively. And when it came time for Hawke… he teased me, "Not going to hug me?" he asked in that deep voice of his.

A smirk lifted my lips, "Oh – I thought you might want a kiss instead… I suppose a hug will…" my words were cut off when he pulled me to him and kissed me.

I laughed, "Ande'thoras-ethil, Hawke; May your troubles be diminished," I winked as Aedan came to collect me. He had been getting Lelianna before we headed out.

Aedans' eyes twinkled, "You and Hawke seemed very friendly from the start – did you already know each other?"

"No – he heard my plight about me worrying about my mates and helped me out. We just used each other for some relief."

"So you really only knew him for a few hours before jumping into bed with him?" Aedan looked amused.

I laughed. "I know; I'm such a slut… I don't have sex often outside of relationships, but when I do… it's usually a random hook-up like this. But when you're nearly 10-point-5 thousand years old, you learn how to tell the good people from the bad ones."

I ventured over to meet Sten. I'd had Aedan and Leliana get the key this morning so…

"You are not one of my captors… I will not amuse you any more than I have the humans. Leave me in peace." Sten was 7 fucking feet tall with grey skin, white hair braided into cornrows and no horns… he did look intimidating and his grey eyes looked stern. My short ass was barely eye-level with his waist.

"Maraas shokra, Sten of the Beresaad," I nodded my head. There's nothing to struggle against.

He stilled and looked me in the eye. "Shanedan, then," I will hear you.

"I travel with and lead this small group of Grey Wardens. As they are sworn to end the blight, we need skilled help. I can think of no finer warrior than a Sten here in Ferelden, and I happen to be a sort of Ashkaari – I can aid you in finding your Asala and restoring your honor so that you may return home."

"… It seems the Wardens do have some smarts to elect a leader that knows what they are doing. Very well, if you can release me, I will follow you into battle and find my atonement." I motioned to Alistair who came forward with the key and unlocked the cage. Sten looked at me with a mix suspicion and appraisal.

"You already had the key?"

"Tell me you did not allow yourself to be caged, Sten of the Beresaad; you allowed yourself to be put there, so you knew people would be distrustful. I decided to speak with you first for a few reasons. One, I needed to get your word – I know you have great honor and would keep your word once given. Two, my companions needed to see for themselves that you are not a monster. You know how important it is to have the confidence of those you lead; and as their leader, I needed that trust."

He nodded, "A good strategy then. Are you Viddithari?"

I shook my head, "I respect the Qun, but I am not of it."

That was when we happened upon the… ambush.

"We done heard what was said in the Tavern; you're a Warden. I don't know if you killed King Cailan and, Maker forgive me, I don't care. But that bounty on your head could feed a lot of hungry bellies…" I stepped forward, cutting him off. He stopped talking, startled.

"What is the bounty? How much on each of the Wardens we have?"

He looked suspicious, 3 Sovereigns a head… why?"

I thought for a second… "We have 5 Wardens… meaning 15 gold pieces… I give a total of 30 gold pieces… you let us leave, unharmed. Know this, with a Qunari, 2 archers, 3 mages, 2 warriors, a rogue and 2 Mabari… you lot would be dead in seconds. There are many paths, however, and not all lead to death." I felt Sten stiffen behind me as I quoted a part of the Qun.

"30… what do you say, lads?" the lead man looked to his group who, one-by-one, each of the 15 men nodded their assent to the deal. I waved my hand and my void-storage appeared. I reached in and pulled out 30 of the shiny gold pieces. Handing the lead man the coins, he counted them out before walking away with the group.

Morrigan frowned, "That was a waste of gold."

"It isn't a waste; it was peace. They will spread the word that the Wardens do not want this Civil War and are attempting to bring peace and unity. Also, I'm fucking rich, remember? That pitiful amount didn't make a dent in my treasury. It was a strategical move. By the time we reach the Tower, word will have hit Denerim that the Wardens are better than what Loghain is saying… we will gain allies that we desperately need to fight the Blight. What are your views Sten?"

"There is sense to what you say. We need an Army, and if giving them a bit of coin will get us one, then that is what we should do. But I don't understand… you look like a woman," he said.

I chuckled, "I am, but I come from a race that has seen its share of bloodshed. I was actually drafted into the kings' army long, long ago. I may be a mere child compared to most of my family but… elves reproduce slowly due to the longevity."

"Women are not fighters." Sten rumbled. "Then think of me as Aqun-Athlok if you must, Sten. I will not take offence, but I will continue to act as a woman in most cases."

He nodded, "I can live with that, Aqun-Athlok."

"What does that mean?" Alistair asked. Lelianna was the one to answer, "It means someone who is born as one gender but living as another. He will essentially view her as a man."

"It's even better; there are 4 other women in our group that will be fighting!" I giggled and Sten gave a snort of dis-belief.

We ran into Bodahn about then after hearing him shout, "Somebody; help us!"

I chuckled darkly and used mass entanglement while the others killed the Darkspawn.

"Mighty timely arrival there my friends, I'm much obliged!" the Dwarf gave a joyful sigh of relief. He was 4'6 with brown hair and bronze eyes, while Sandal was 4'8 with platinum hair and blue eyes.

He smiled at me, "The name's Bodahn Feddic; Merchant and Entrepreneur. This here's my son, Sandal; say hello, my boy!"

"Hullo," the boy said, obliviously.

"Road's been mighty dangerous these days. Mind if I ask what brings you out here? Perhaps we're going the same way…"

"Oh, honey… I doubt you want to travel with a Grey Warden," I gave an apologetic shrug as Aedan nodded.

He looked taken aback, "Grey Warden, hmm? My, that does rather explain a lot… no offense, but I suspect there's more excitement on your path than my boy and I can handle. Allow me to bid you farewell and good fortune, though. Now then, let's get this mess cleaned up, then, shall we?" he addressed his boy at the end and I smiled.

"Oh nonsense; Let us help you get your things back in order… I think I see something I'd like to buy from you anyway." Aedan, Alistair and Leliana instantly began moving forward to help. Lyna, Sereda and Daylen all moved to pick up the cart. Morrigan and Sten just watched.

I found what I was looking for and headed over to Bodahn the instant we were done. "These 12 things … how much do you want for them?"

He looked over my choices. A doll that looked remarkably like Alistair, a pink gemmed amulet that could help someone remember old memories, a Dwarven beard flask, a jeweled hip-flask, an Orlesian carved lute, a grey warden hand puppet set, a Qunari Prayers for the Dead book, a diamond shaped bottle of rare Antivan brandy, a carved Halla, two books of spells and a great-sword.

"The sword alone is usually 120 silver, but… I'll sell you all of it for 240 silvers."

"Are you sure? I don't mind paying full price…"

"I'm sure; you not only saved our lives, but also helped us tidy up – a fair trade, I think." He smiled and I rummaged in my pack for the coin pouch. I handed him the money.

I looked at Sten and handed over the Great-sword. "Use this until we can find yours."

He looked at me sharply and I chuckled.