** Warning: This Chapter Contains Disturbing Content **
Thanks to everyone who has read and favorited this story!
As ever, the greatest of thanks to my reviewers: lisakodysam, voltagelisa, Shakespira, and Nithu (the We Hate Howe Club)
To my Beta Reader, Lisa - This chapter was a tough one, girl, for both of us! Thank so much for all the support!
Bioware owns all - They just let us share it!
They were the hunters in the dark, moving toward Castle Cousland in utter silence, using the cover of the trees to conceal themselves. They had been summoned to help with a critical mission for their employer, and failure in their duty was not an option.
Where other soldiers donned shiny armor and bright swords, these masters of combat clothed themselves in utter blackness, with even their faces covered to prevent them from being sighted. In this way, they were far more dangerous than any army on the march. Once a foe discovered their presence, it was already too late.
Their leader moved ahead of the others, barely touching the ground as he sped toward the entrance at the rear of the castle. He silently issued orders to his fellow agents using hand signals, and each member was assigned a different, equally vital task.
The leader's job was to occupy the Grey Warden whom he had heard was staying in the guest quarters. The plan had been changed quickly, as his masters hadn't known of the Warden's presence until a day prior. The Warden would be of no consequence to this soldier, however, for he was the best of his group by far and had been handpicked for his ruthlessness and precision.
He arrived at his destination and lightly rapped on the hidden door, as he had been instructed. He heard a click from inside and the door opened, to darkness within. Suspecting an ambush, the fighter's daggers were already drawn, but no apparent threat came from inside. He entered cautiously and the door was closed behind him.
Once inside, his eyes adjusted quickly to the dark and he could just make out the figure of the person who had opened the door, motioning for him to follow. They walked down a short corridor and entered a storage room, lit only by candlelight.
His contact turned to him and stepped into the light. The fighter moved forward and bowed slightly, speaking in a soft, heavily-accented voice.
"Arl Rendon Howe, I presume. I am Zevran Arainai. The Antivan Crows send their regards."
Duncan left the study where he had been speaking to Teyrn Cousland regarding the conditions at Ostagar, and headed toward his room. Tomorrow would be a very important day for him, as he would begin testing Ser Gilmore, and he needed to get some rest to be prepared. He also needed to be alone to think on the events of the day. He removed his armor, and laid on the bed, closing his eyes as he remembered the details of the evening's meal.
When Zeva had entered the dining room earlier that evening, Duncan had felt his resolve to remain impassive with regards to the young woman crumble. She was perfection in her velvet gown and it had taken every last trace of his restraint to keep from crossing the room and taking her in his arms.
He had been beaten to her side by Lady Landry's son, Dairren, who rushed to Zeva and offered her his arm. Dairren had escorted her to the table and offered her a chair. Zeva had gladly accepted the aid, but had never taken her eyes off Duncan.
Her face remained unreadable, but her eyes told him everything she could not say out loud. He saw the desire burning there, and his heart leapt at the thought that the passion she felt was for him alone. She had been a perfect hostess, however, never staring at him overlong and often giving her undivided attention to Dairren, a gesture which caused Duncan no small amount of jealousy.
Duncan had noticed that Howe spent much of the meal in silence, only speaking when questions had been directed toward him. His eyes had never strayed far from Zeva, however, and his color reddened whenever Dairren would touch her hand or whisper in her ear.
At one point, Bryce had asked Howe if he felt quite well, as he seemed flushed, and Duncan had noticed the fleeting look of disgust that passed across Zeva's lovely features. Something had obviously happened between Howe and the young woman which had left her anxious in the Arl's presence.
It was of no consequence now, of course. In the morning Teyrn Cousland and Howe would be gone, along with the soldiers from Vigil's keep, and Zeva would be free from her worries of the Arl. Duncan would begin testing Ser Roland Gilmore, and he hoped that his duties as a Warden would keep his mind from focusing on the woman who had somehow destroyed his defenses and consumed his thoughts.
As sleep continued to elude him, Duncan had no idea of how wrong he had been...
Zevran and Howe sat down at a table in the storeroom, upon which Howe had placed a map of the house.
"Do you see these passages here?" he said, pointing to the escape tunnels which ran behind each room. "This is how your men will capture the family. I have marked the rooms which house the Couslands and their guests. They will be your primary objective. I need the Teyrn and Teyrna taken alive, as they are needed to further my ultimate goal."
"How many people are we speaking of in total?" Zevran inquired.
"With regard to the Couslands, there are four with which you should be concerned. Bryce and Eleanor, and Oriana and Oren, wife and child of Fergus Cousland. Once your men have captured them, they are to be taken to the sitting room in the family's quarters, and bound and gagged."
Zevran nodded and waited for Howe to continue. "The last of the Couslands is Zeva, daughter of Bryce and Eleanor, and my men and I will be collecting her. Under no circumstances are the Crows to approach or attempt to apprehend Zeva. She must be brought to me unharmed and unspoiled."
"You will find a noblewoman and her Elven lady-in-waiting in this room," Howe added, pointing to the map. "They are of no concern to me. Kill them both, or give them to your men as reward. I care not."
"Thank you, Milord," Zevran said. "We may be able to get a ransom for the noblewoman and there are many uses for a lovely young elven lass, no?" Howe smirked at this last comment, and nodded slowly.
Zevran took a final look at the map. "Where are the bulk of Castle Cousland's guards stationed?"
Howe pointed to several areas and replied, "Only a token force remained behind when Fergus left for Ostagar today." He laughed before adding, " That fool Bryce Cousland is under the impression that his castle is impenetrable, and as such saw fit to send most of his men to fight alongside the King. Your men should have no trouble handling those left behind. My own soldiers should be arriving within the hour and they can help you dispense with any remaining forces."
"Now," Zevran asked pointedly, "where is this Grey Warden I have heard so much about? I will be attending to him personally, Milord."
Howe pointed to the guest room that Duncan had been given and said emphatically, "DO NOT be complacent when dealing with the Grey Warden. He is no unseasoned recruit, and he has killed many men of greater worth than yourself. I have no doubt that he will fight to reach the family as soon as he realizes the house is under attack. He MUST be silenced before the invasion begins. I want no interference from him as I take Zeva."
Zevran's brow furrowed as he looked into Howe's eyes. "And, if I may ask, Milord, what are your plans for the Cousland girl? Will she fetch a great ransom from the King or nobility? Is she perhaps engaged to someone in great power who would pay well to have her returned?"
"No you may not ask." Howe snapped. "Zeva Cousland is of no concern to you. I have my own purposes in taking her, and, regardless, your men may never come close to her. Do we understand each other?"
"Of course, Milord" Zevran said as he rose from the table. "If you will excuse me, I have final arrangements to make with my men. The Antivan Crows value your friendship. We shall not fail you." With a small bow to Howe, Zevran turned and made his way back out into the night, once again to be enveloped by the shadows.
Zevran rendezvoused with his men in the woods to give them their final orders. Taliesan, his closest friend and second-in-command for this mission, approached him quietly and whispered, "Were you able to meet with Arl Howe?"
"Yes," Zevran answered, unraveling the map he had taken from Howe. "Everything is exactly as we were told it would be. We are to remove the guards and capture the family, keeping them alive. Once this is accomplished, we need to proceed to the front gates to open them for the contingent of Howe's men. After that, our job here is done. Howe's soldiers should be here within the hour and they will see to the occupation of the castle."
"And there is a bonus for us," Zevran added, telling Taliesan about Lady Landra and her maid. Taliesan smiled slyly, pondering the new development. "Master Ignatio shall be pleased. The noblewoman should command a hefty ransom from her family. And the elf, well, she will fetch a fine price, as well, eventually." he leered, then shifted his gaze to Zevran's face, furrowing his brows.
"The plan seems to be perfectly prepared, and yet you seem disquieted, my friend. Is there something bothering you?"
Zevran paused, then looked at Taliesan, nodding slowly. "There is something... not right about this mission," he said thoughtfully, shaking his head.
Taliesan looked concerned, "Explain."
Zevran told him about Howe's reactions whenever the Cousland girl was mentioned. Taliesan laughed, "Zev, my friend, you have always been too soft when it comes to the ladies. Whatever plans Howe has for the girl are not our concern. As long as we get our sovereigns, he can do as he sees fit to the Couslands."
"You are right, as always, Taliesan. I don't like Howe, but he serves our purpose. So long as he continues to patronize the Crows, we will aid him. After all, why would I ever risk our mission for some spoiled noble princess?" Zevran laughed, secretly hoping he sounded convincing. He would work with Howe, but planned on learning more about Zeva Cousland...
The Crows entered the castle and made their way through the escape tunnels, assuming their positions and awaiting the signal to attack. Zevran and Taliesan headed to the Warden's room. Upon arriving at their location, Zevran leaned down and examined the secret door. The lock was laughably easy to pick, which he did silently. He opened the door just far enough get a look around the room.
The Warden lay in his bed, apparently asleep. Zevran motioned for Taliesan to wait and slowly pushed open the door. Howe had ensured the room was arranged in such a way that only a tapestry covered the entrance to the tunnels, thereby affording safe passage to the Crows. He approached the sleeping Warden and raised his dagger to strike.
Duncan had not, in fact, been asleep, but had been laying in bed thinking of Zeva, an action which ended up saving his life. He was pulled from his reverie by a noise behind him in the room and had surreptitiously reached under his pillow, grasping the dagger he kept there. He felt the change in the air above him and jumped from the bed, striking at the attacker standing over him, knocking his assailant back.
Zevran hadn't expected the Warden to strike, but recovered quickly and pressed the attack, stabbing toward the Warden's legs with both daggers, intent on crippling him. Duncan jumped aside, barely avoiding the swing and countered with his own thrusts toward his opponent's face. Zevran leapt back and the two men began circling each other, looking for an opening for attack.
Daggers clashed, and sparks flew as Duncan and Zevran fought relentlessly, each searching for a weakness, yet finding none. The pair was equally matched and the fight may have continued far longer, had Zevran not lured Duncan toward the secret entrance to the tunnels.
Duncan felt a pinch at the back of his neck, and the world began spinning. His final thought, as he fell to the floor, was of Zeva. "I am sorry, Zeva. I could not help you."
Taliesan stepped into the room, and Zevran clapped him on the back. "Thank you my friend. What did you use on our Grey Warden, here?"
Taliesan softly chuckled and replied, "Venom Extract. Never leave home without it." The two assassins smiled at each other and headed into the tunnels to give the signal to attack.
The siege was over as quickly as it had begun. Zevran had given the signal to attack and the Crows had broken into each of the family's rooms simultaneously. Oriana and Oren had been sharing a room, and she had bowed to the assassin's demands for silence as soon as they placed a blade to her son's throat. She cried quietly – too afraid to make any noise - as they ushered them from their room and locked she and Oren in the study, with two Crows stationed there to ensure the family's compliance.
Lady Landra and Iona were rudely awoken by cloths being stuffed into their mouths. They were dragged from their beds, and their arms were bound behind them. As they were pushed into the escape tunnels, the Crow holding them said to Landra in a low, gravelly voice, " Rest assured, milady. You husband will no doubt pay handsomely for your safe return. And you, my little elf," he added as he roughly grabbed Iona's breast, "have quite a night ahead of you!"
The Crows assigned to Bryce and Eleanor's room met with equal cooperation. As soon as they entered the room, Bryce sat up in bed and opened his mouth to shout for the guards. Calmly, Ricardo, the assassin, placed his fingers to his lips and said quietly, "We have your daughter-in-law and grandson. If you bring the guards down upon us, we will kill them both. And I promise that their deaths will be long and painful."
"What about my daughter? Where is she?" Bryce asked desperately. Ricardo looked to Ruiz, his partner, and they both shrugged. "She was not our assignment. I know she is to receive special treatment, however." Eleanor let out a strangled cry and covered her mouth to keep from screaming.
Ricardo gestured toward the door with his dagger. "Come with us quietly and we will make sure that your family remains unharmed." He and Ruiz passed knowing looks to each other and smiled as they ushered Bryce and Eleanor from the room. Once all four Couslands were secured in the study, Ricardo found Zevran and informed him that their plan had succeeded.
"Excellent work, my friend," Zevran told him as he patted the young man in the back. "Now, bring our comrades here at once. We have one more job yet to complete." There was the small matter of opening the front gates for Howe's men.
Zeva awoke to the sound of rapping on her door and called, "One moment, please!" She looked back at Dairren, who was curled against her back and shook him gently. "Dairren, someone is at the door. You need to get up." She didn't know who had come to see her, but she didn't want Dairren found in her bed.
Dairren stirred, groaning slightly, and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He rose from the bed, pulled on his breeches and stepped aside so Zeva could climb out of the bed, as well. He gave her a gentle kiss and moved across the room so that he would be behind the door when she opened it. The door was knocked again, more urgently this time.
Zeva pulled on her robe and approached the door, throwing back the lock. She opened it just a crack and found herself staring at Daegun, one of the Cousland's elven servants. He appeared quite pale and shaken. "Milady, your father has requested your immediate presence in the study. He says it is an emergency. They have received news about your brother and his men."
Zeva felt her heart rate begin to race. "Of course, Daegun, allow me a moment to change and I will be along." Daegun nodded shakily to Zeva and turned from the door as she quietly closed it. He looked to Howe's soldier standing next to him with a dagger to his back and spoke in a low whisper, "I did what you asked. Now please, let me go." The man smiled and motioned Daegun into the adjacent room, where he promptly slit the elf's throat, leaving the corpse to be discovered at a later time.
Zeva had decided against changing, as the gravity of Daegun's words sank in.
"What was that about, love?" asked Dairren, seeing the anxiety on her face.
She looked up at him with panic in her eyes. "I don't know, Dairren. Father has summoned me to the study, something about Fergus and his men. Maker, I hope he is alright."
Dairren pulled her close to him, wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "I am sure he is just fine, my darling. Don't fret. Do you want me to come with you?"
Zeva pulled herself from his arms. "No, Dairren, I shall be fine. Besides," she added with a slight smile, "we wouldn't want to have to explain to Father how we came to be together in the middle of the night, now would we?"
And I don't want Duncan to know anything about you, either, she thought to herself quickly. She saw the loving look upon his face and groaned inwardly. Oh, Lord, now the fool has gone and fallen in love. I am sorry, Dairren. Before he could say anything more, she crossed the room and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. "Return to your rooms and we will see each other in the morning." With that, she opened the door and was gone, leaving Dairren to stare after her.
I love you, Zeva.
Zevran, Taliesan and the Crows moved from room to room in the castle, silently killing every guard in their path. It was amazingly simple, as most of the castle's forces had left with Fergus. After meeting very little resistance, they arrived in the main salon and opened the door. As the Crows entered the salon, they were met by two dozen of the Castle's elite guards and Ser Roland Gilmore, all of whom turned and immediately drew their weapons, attacking the assassins.
The battle was long and bloody, with both groups suffering casualties. Gilmore, the finest of the Teyrn's men, was the last soldier to fall. He and Zevran had fought for several minutes when Gilmore made a fatal mistake and left an opening in his stance which the brilliant Antivan killer seized upon to sweep Roland off his feet and onto his knees.
Zevran was instantly at Gilmore's back, a dagger to his throat. As Zevran was about to end the man's life, he looked up and gasped as he laid eyes upon the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He faced a large portrait of the entire Cousland family. Bryce was seated on a settee with Eleanor. Fergus and Oriana stood behind them, Oren held in his father's arms. Sitting next to her parents, with her ebony hair flowing about her milky white shoulders, was Zeva Cousland, a brilliant smile lighting her face.
Zevran roughly grabbed Gilmore's hair and pulled his face up to look at the portrait. "Who is the girl in that portrait?" Zevran spat into Gilmore's ear. Gilmore clenched his teeth together, refusing to speak.
Zevran pressed his dagger harder against Gilmore's throat, drawing blood. "Tell me now, or I shall cut you into pieces before ending your wretched life, and I promise that you will not die until I choose!"
Gilmore met his eyes and said, his voice quaking with anger. "That, you insolent bastard, is Zeva Cousland, the Teyrn's daughter. As you did not know this, I can only assume you have not reached her. She is an warrior beyond compare, and the likes of you will never defeat her. My final prayer to the Maker will be that she survives this ordeal, and rains vengeance upon you for your crimes against this great family."
With that final statement, Gilmore closed his eyes, at peace. Zevran looked at the young man one last time and slowly drew the blade across his throat, dropping him to the ground.
As he watched Gilmore's life blood pool across the floor, one thought broke through the adrenaline flowing through his limbs. What nature of woman would inspire such devotion? Surely, she must be a goddess..
Taliesan broke through his reverie, shaking him gently. "Zev, the last of Howe's men have arrived. Let's open the gates and go home." Zevran nodded and followed Taliesan from the castle, pausing only to take a last longing glance at the beautiful woman in the portrait.
Zeva sped down the hallway toward the study. She threw open the door and rushed in, "Father! Is Fergus alright?" she cried, her last word trailing off as she struggled to comprehend the scene in front of her. She stared in confusion at her parents, and Oriana and Oren, who were all tied to chairs on the far side of the study. She looked into her father's eyes and saw nothing but terror. She went to rush forward to them, but was grabbed from behind by a set of strong arms. She cursed and struggled to get away, but to no avail. A cloth was forced into her mouth and suddenly she felt her world slipping away, as darkness closed in around her.
Zeva awoke, feeling groggy and dazed. She tried to move, but found herself tied to a chair across from her father, who was watching her with eyes which reflected both horror and relief. Suddenly, she heard a familiar but unwelcome voice behind her, making her blood run cold. "Hello, darling Zeva. It is so good to see you are unharmed."
She whipped her head to the side and found herself eye to eye with Arl Rendon Howe.
"Now I know you are probably all wondering why I have called this little gathering." Howe paced slowly back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back. "There are some issues that have arisen of late which I feel we ought to discuss.
First, let me say that I have been waiting for almost two years for this particular conversation to take place. You needn't worry that we will be interrupted, as my men have taken over the castle and I have given very specific instructions that we are not to be disturbed.
Bryce", he said, turning to face Teyrn, "let me begin with you. For years you and I fought together alongside King Maric against the Orlesians. We were 'Brothers-in-Arms', or so I thought. However, you betrayed that friendship at your earliest convenience!
When the war was over, you ensured that the Couslands were given every possible advantage over my family! You could have fought for equality between us, but NO! You took everything that should have been mine!" Howe was getting angrier by the minute, his face turning a deep red.
"Since that time I have watched your wealth and stature grow, while mine has stagnated. You give orders to most of the noble families of Ferelden at the Landsmeet, while I am forced to take whatever crumbs you leave behind. Well, all of that ends, TODAY! I will have what is mine!" With that he stepped across to Zeva and leaned down, meeting her gaze steadily and smiling wickedly at her. "Everything that is mine!"
Seeing the lust in Howe's eyes, Bryce began to struggle in his chair, attempting to get loose. Howe turned his attention back to him, walking over and pulling the gag from his mouth. "Have something you wish to add, Milord?" he spat sarcastically.
"You unconscionable bastard!" Bryce yelled. "You will release my family and leave my home this INSTANT! And, if you so much as TOUCH my daughter, I will see you hung from the castle battlements!" He gasped in shock as Howe's fist connected with his jaw.
"Your daughter," Howe spat into Bryce's face, "is the least of your worries today, Cousland! I have already made plans for her, and nothing that you do or say will change them." As he spoke, he moved behind Zeva's chair and, much to her disgust, began to run his fingers up and down her arm, moaning softly at his first contact with her bare skin.
"Your little girl isn't quite the innocent maiden you envision her to be, Bryce. Just tonight, for example, she had her legs wrapped around that ignorant brat, Dairren, didn't you, my dear? I saw her writhing beneath him myself! And what a glorious sight it was!" He leaned closer to her and ran his thumb lightly over her right breast, pausing to circle her nipple through her gown. Zeva struggled to pull away, to which Howe laughed.
"Get away from my child, you monster!" Bryce yelled vehemently. "What kind of animal are you? You encouraged your own son to marry my daughter, and now you would treat her in this revolting manner?"
Howe turned back to Bryce, fire in his eyes, "My son! You don't mean that spineless fool, Nathaniel, do you? Ha! I sent him away as soon as I realized that he would never be enough of a man for Zeva. No, if any man will have her, it will be me! Oh, and believe me on this, Cousland, I will have her - whenever and wherever I please!
But, back to the matter at hand. I realized that if I wanted everything that you had - the wealth, the status, Zeva - I had to ally myself with someone who could ensure that I could have it all! And, let me assure you, I have found such a person. Soon, all of Ferelden will be at my feet, and I will have all that I desire!" His eyes once again flashed toward Zeva.
Bryce opened his mouth to speak again, and Howe reinserted the gag, silencing the Teyrn. "Now, Bryce, you are not the one I need to speak to. Sit quietly, please, and allow me to open negotiations with your lovely daughter."
Howe dropped to his knees in front of Zeva and looked her in the eyes, running his fingers up her legs and resting them on her naked thighs. Again he groaned, obviously aroused. "My dearest Zeva, I have a proposition for you. Are you willing to listen?"
Zeva looked at him, pure hatred flashing in her eyes, and slowly nodded. Howe placed his hands behind her head and loosened her gag. "Now be a good girl and your family may yet live to see the morning."
As soon as her mouth was freed from the cloth, Zeva spat in Howe's face. "You sick, depraved worm! If you think I will give anything to you, you can rot in the Black City! The only thing I have to offer you is a swift death at the end of my blade!"
Howe slowly wiped the spit from his face, licked it from his fingers, and motioned to the soldier on his left. The man promptly stepped forward and placed his dagger under little Oren's chin. "Now, darling," Howe purred, "let's begin again. Will you hear my proposal or do I begin wiping Couslands from the face of Ferelden, beginning with Fergus' little brat and his Antivan whore bride?"
Oriana squealed and Oren began crying. Zeva's eyes shot to her sister-in-law and nephew and she quickly spoke to Howe, "STOP! Yes, I will speak with you."
The soldier, with a nod from Howe, applied more pressure to the dagger at Oren's neck, drawing a thin line of blood. "And you will behave and not cause me problems while we converse?" Howe purred, his fingers once again travelling over her legs.
"I promise to listen and not cause a problem, Arl Howe. Now please have your soldier remove that knife from Oren's throat. I am sure we can work something out which will be beneficial to all parties." Although her heart was thudding wildly against her ribcage, she would not give this bastard the pleasure of seeing her distress.
Where is Duncan? Is he even alive? PLEASE let him be alive! Zeva thought desperately. She prayed he would be able to save her family, even if she could not.
Howe, his eyes never leaving Zeva's, nodded to the soldier, who stepped away from Oren. "Now, that is so much better, isn't it, my dear?" Howe asked, an evil glint in his eye.
Zeva nodded slowly to him and attempted a small smile, trying to pacify him. He moved his hand to her face, gently tracing her lips with his fingertips. "Here is what I propose. You agree to stay with me here as my mistress, and I will allow your family to live. They will still be in my custody, but they will be spared. As long as you continue to satisfy me, I will keep them safe. If, at any time, you attempt to leave me or deny me anything I desire, I will have them executed – and you will be forced to watch. What say you?"
Dear Maker! Zeva thought. This is beyond my worst nightmares. But as long as my family is alive, there is still a chance to save them!
She looked over Howe's shoulder and caught her father's gaze with her own. He was shaking his head furiously, his eyes imploring her to refuse. The same was true for Eleanor, who stared defiantly at the back of Howe's head.
Lastly, she glanced at Oriana and Oren, both of whom were terrified, and knew that she had no choice. She returned her gaze to Howe, and said quietly, "Yes, I agree".
Howe's face lit up in a broad smile and he leaned forward, kissing her lightly on the lips, breathing heavily, now painfully aroused. "I knew you would see reason, my beloved Zeva." He rose and turned back to Bryce, who was glaring at him with unmatched hatred. "Haven't I always told you, Bryce, that Zeva was your most practical child."
With that he motioned to his men and had them remove the ropes which bound Zeva to her chair. He left her hands tied and ushered her towards the door. "Now, darling Zeva, let us go and consummate our union. Afterwards, we can see to removing your family from our home." With a final glance at her parents, Zeva preceded Howe through the door and towards the master bedroom.