We've been delayed a day because of an ambush. I suppose I'll start at the beginning.
We were all trekking along, Leliana talking to Morrigan about cute bunnies. Morrigan snarked that they tasted good in a stew. Griffon barked in agreement. I laughed. Leliana called us all barbarians. I pointed out that even Grey Wardens needed to eat. She reiterated the point.
A women ran up to us with tears running down her cheeks wailing about how her waggon train was under attack and she needed help. Before I could ask her for anything she ran off screaming towards the waggons. We ran after her. I couldn't sense any Darkspawn.
The wagon train was stuck in a gully. I couldn't see any fighting. Their was only a short skinny elf with tan skin, long hair, and tattoos on his face. And our acquaintance standing right next to him. The once distraught woman turned to us with a smug smile on her face.
The elf assassin gestured to a platoon of soldiers behind the wagon who formed up around him. Archers ran out onto the ledge above. I heard a crack and was narrowly able to dodge a tree that came crashing down. We were trapped. The Elf, later I found out his name was Zevran, announced that I was going to die here.
Naturally I did not die there. Griffon and I, with my shield raised to deflect the arrows, fought in the center while Leliana snuck up onto the ledge to take out the archers. Morrigan used her new Cone of Cold spell, maker the women did a lot while we were gone, to keep some of the others off us while Griffon and I went for Zevran and the Elf respectively. This elf turned out to be a mage and have I mentioned I hate lightning spells. Because maker I hate lightning spells.
While I fought Zevran I accidentally left an opening and when I realized this I thought I was done for. It was obvious to both of us, but he didn't take it. I smashed him to the ground with my shield but made sure not to kill him. We needed someone to interrogate and I was curious as to why he spared me.
He didn't even need interrogating. As soon as he woke he told us everything, in between the snarking because of course I wind up with the snarky assassin. Alistair would know what to say.
Of course it was Logain who hired him to kill us. Somehow in spite of all he's done I keep expecting the man to have some lows he will not sink to, some reason to be called the hero of the River Dayne, and each and every time he gets lower and lower. Next it'll be slave trading or something equally vile.
Zevran asked to be taken into my service. The Crows have a nasty habit of killing any agents who fail their missions, and seeing how we defeated the force sent after us, Zeveron figures I and my companions will be able to protect him from future reprisal. He also gave a whole story about how he was bought at a slave auction and forced to become a Crow.
Under ordinary circumstances I'd take this as the standard sob story and ether kill the man or banish him from my sight. However I happened to know a very smart lady from Antiva for a few years and she told me things about the Crows. Zeveron's story checks out with what I heard about them. Maker how I miss Oriana. Young me would have skinned herself alive before saying that. And I know what decision she would have wanted me to make.
Morrigan suggested I have my food examined. Leliana was supportive, though the elf annoys her to no end, as he does all of us. But I've taken a child killer. I see no reason why a cadd of a crow would be any more vile. We're taking him with us to Honnleath. Presumably a Golem would do well to keep our new friend in line. Until then I have first watch.