Chapter 48) Ripples
Cleon POV
"Cleon, you have to help me!" Tamlen whined, clinging to my arm. I tried to shake him off. I was sharpening my knives. "Please?"
"Tamlen, falon, you've known Lyna as long as you've known me," I pointed out. He just held on tighter. "Why are you so scared about telling her your feelings?"
"What is she doesn't like me like that?" I rolled my eyes. "It'll be awkward! There's nowhere to hide about the Clan!" Fen'harel's teeth. "You have to help me!"
"Tamlen, I am." I gave him a look. "I'm not stopping you."
"That doesn't mean anything! You like seeing me squirm." Well, couldn't deny that. "And teasing Lyna!"
"Yes, but if things got awkward between you two, I'd be stuck in the middle." He blinked slowly and I took advantage of his surprise to get out of his grip. "And that's something I avoid. Remember?"
"Oh." He hesitated. "So…"
"Falon, I will push you in a river if you don't hurry up."
"Right!" He flashed me a grin. "Ma serranas!"
I waved him goodbye and sighed. I'd have to be careful walking into my aravel now. No doubt Lyna would forget we shared one in the middle of making out.
There was a chill to the air as we walked. Not on the road, of course. As we drew closer to Highever's borders, we upped the chances of running into an enemy patrol. While most of us could fight, we had Oren to worry about. Nuada and Elspeth had intended to leave him at the inn, but Oren was a manipulative little child when he'd wanted to be. Latched onto Leliana and Layla, and begged to come along. They hadn't stood a chance and it wasn't long before the rest of us reluctantly agreed. Sten thought it reckless, but agreed with Nuada's assessment that Oren would likely follow them anyway. Apparently, qunari children could be just as mischievous as any other child.
The wind whipped my hair into my face, and I pushed it back, noting the length. Nowhere near as long as Nuada's or Elspeth's, but it certainly was getting there. I'd have to cut it soon. I didn't want to get caught in branches as I walked the threes. Whenever there were trees strong enough to walk, that is.
A flash of movement caught my attention and I focused on Layla up ahead. She signed, 'you okay?' It didn't surprise me. She'd checked frequently, ever since I volunteered to take the rear this morning.
I nodded, signing, 'Yes, I'm fine'. Just for emphasis. She smiled and returned to whatever conversation she was having with Morrigan and Nuada. Because of how huddled they were, I could not see their hands, but I caught the signs for 'shifting' and 'spells', so I thought they might be discussing a branch of magic. Knowing I wouldn't find more information from them unless they put space between them, my eyes flicked over to Sten and Wynne, talking nearby.
Wynne's hands danced when she signed the Kinloch Hold signs, but were more hesitant on the others. But she didn't shy away from them either, as she talked to Sten. I read the signs for 'weather' and 'wool'. Sten's own signs, much surer on all, but there was something graceful when he signed in the Qunari sign language, tried to question her about what she meant, the slight frown and narrowed eyes showing his confusion. When Wynne mentioned 'measurements', though, I smiled, shaking a bit from silent laughter. She was going to knit him something because of the cold. And it was getting colder. The leaves were turning, and from there, winter would come. Had it really been such a short time? Ostagar had been fought during a summer's rain, after all.
Enough of weather and time passed. I should focus on simply joys as we traveled. Such as everyone signing as they talked to each other. Whether it was simply for practice or to give me the opportunity to eavesdrop and jump into a conversation… I appreciated it. It made me feel less alone, and more part of the world.
Only Alistair did not sign as he spoke, but I couldn't blame him for it. He had Oren on his shoulders, after all, and had to use his hands to make sure Oren didn't fall. Oren's face was bright with a smile, mouth open in a laugh. I thought he might just be giggling at how high up he was, since Elspeth and Alistair were engaged in some conversation. From the signs I could from Elspeth's hands, it seemed they were simply talking about Oren. I smirked as Eoin suddenly barked, pushing his way between them. Seemed someone didn't approve of his mistress flirting. Or whatever it was Elspeth and Alistair did.
Leliana's flirtations with Aiden, though, were far less ambiguous. Or they should've been. Except Aiden rivaled Elspeth in terms of obliviousness to romantic overtures, apparently. True, I couldn't really see many of her signs as she chatted, but from what I read, she was trying to invite him out stargazing when we camped for the night. And specifically used the sign for 'romantic'. And a mention of how cozy her tent was. I had no idea how Aiden misinterpreted either of those, truthfully. But the signs his hands made, and the gentle smile on his face, were of 'relaxing' and 'I am glad your tent is comfortable'. Wow, Aiden.
I grinned as Zevran suddenly jumped into the conversation, Aiden bursting into laughter at whatever Zevran said. I couldn't see Zevran's signs, as they were blocked by Aiden, but the wicked grin and gleaming eyes made me think he was flirting. Again. With both Aiden and Leliana, based on how Leliana's giggling blush and Aiden's shaking laughter.
However, after a point, Aiden's face took a thoughtful look before nodding to himself. For a brief moment, I wondered if he'd figured it out, but his signs threw that thought away. 'I see I am interrupting. Excuse me.' I facepalmed as Aiden broke off, going to join Sten and Wynne in their talking, which had apparently turned to magic and mages, based on the signs I read. When I glanced back at Leliana and Zevran, their signs alternated between the woes of trying to flirt with someone oblivious and flirting with each other, Zevran far bolder in signs and how he held his hands than Leliana.
Ah, it was still strange, not being able to hear anything. But, honestly, I didn't seem to be missing much when it came to keeping track of my friends. Yes, there were missteps and frustrations, but I was muddling through just fine, and the silence was no longer so scary. I could live with this. Easily.
A flash of movement caught my attention again. This time it was Nuada, waving me up. His easy grin and relaxed posture hinted it wasn't for anything important. Either an idle conversation, or just simply him thinking I had spent too much time separated from the group for the time being.
'Ideas for teasing Aiden?' I signed as I jogged to his side. Morrigan and Layla were a bit ahead, signing rapidly about 'entropy'. Was that another branch of magic? 'Leliana and Zevran both tried, and failed, to flirt.'
'So, that's what happened!' he signed back, grin flashing as he tossed his head back in a laugh. I wasn't sure if it was simply the thought of returning to Highever, seeing his nephew alive, or if he was just more comfortable with everyone, but his smiles were freer and brighter than they had been. I thought it a good change. 'I know a couple of tricks used in Antiva and Orlais, actually. Want me to list them?'
'Yes, before we drown in sexual tension.' That sparked another laugh and grin, and I matched its brightness with my own. 'Tell.'
Camp was set up quickly once the sun started to set. It was unsurprising, considering the number of hands and how quickly we all were adapting to life on the road. It seemed like we'd just settled in before everything was up, Leliana and Elspeth cooking, Eoin curled up at their feet for any tasty treats. Aiden and Sten were sparring in the corner, Aiden frequently ending up on the ground, only to roll right back up to keep on going. Layla and Wynne were in another corner, gentle light blooming in their palms. Magic lessons, ones Morrigan must've refused again, since she was nowhere near. Zevran was near Alistair. I couldn't see his hands as he signed, but the wicked grin and Alistair's very red face made me think Zevran was either teasing or flirting. I guessed the former was more likely.
'It is going to kill me not to ask,' I signed to Nuada, taking advantage of the lull in our own conversation. We'd sat down a short distance away from the fire to discuss how we'd best do tactics for the group. 'What is going on with Zevran and Alistair?'
Nuada's grin was decidedly wicked as he signed back. 'Might be wrong, but I think he asked Zevran for advice on wooing.' I gave him an incredulous look before grinning and ducking my head, shaking from silent laughter. Of all the people, Alistair!
'Zevran is taking full advantage of this, isn't he?' I finally managed to sign, my hands shaking. I signed the words again when Nuada frowned slightly, realizing he must not have been able to read them properly with the extra movement.
He caught it the second time, though. 'Is there any doubt? I think he wants to see how red Alistair can turn!' Which was, apparently, very red. I'd put it somewhere around a cherry's coloring, actually. 'Should we save him?' I debated briefly before shaking my head. He tossed his head back in another laugh. 'You are a very mean person, Cleon.'
'Like you're going to help either!' He simply laughed again, leaning a bit from the force, and I felt the vibrations from the sound I couldn't hear. They just made me grin wider. 'So-' My arm was jolted, disrupting my signing. One hand dropped to my knife as I turned to face whatever had down it, only to see it was Oren. When did he wake up from his nap?
As I stared, Nuada removed Oren from my arm, face stern as he scolded Oren. Oren visibly drooped, head down as he mumbled something. Nuada nudged his face up, and I focused on Oren's mouth to try and lip-read, but knit my brows when I didn't recognize any of the syllables. 'Dis'… something? Lip-reading was much harder than the tales would make you believe.
Nuada facepalmed and moved his hands for me to see them. 'He apologized in Antivan.' Oh, so that was it. 'You want me to correct him?'
'No, I can take the apology as it is,' I signed back. Nuada smiled wryly. 'I suppose I have an advantage over the others now, though. You and Elspeth can't speak whatever language you want and the signs will be the same.'
'That is very true, and very useful, since Elspeth and I will likely start switching without realizing once we're in the thick of things at Highever.' Well, he used the sign for 'home', but I knew what he was referring to. 'Regardless, I'm sorry for Oren. That's rude even when it's not your primary means of communicating.'
'Rude and dangerous.' I showed him the knife I had, for emphasis, and Nuada nodded. 'But I know it is simply a da'len being friendly.'
'Elspeth and I will remind him of his manners.' And there was the stern look again. Ha! Who'd have thought he'd be that sort of uncle? 'Now then…' Nuada turned his attention to Oren, asking him what he was doing. I knew because Nuada kept on signing.
However, Oren's reply made Nuada pause, hesitate in replying. Even though it had to be something innocent, based on the curious eyes. I tapped Nuada's knee to catch his attention, giving him a questioning look when he only glanced at me.
Finally, though, his hands moved again. 'He asked where his mother went. He knows she died, yet…' Nuada let his hands fall, shrugging helplessly. Didn't the non-Dalish believe in the Chantry? Or did Nuada not really bother with it?
I tapped his knee again, and brought my hands up to sign. 'My people believe the dead rest with Falon'din.' I held his gaze, making sure to not falter. 'Many of your people would say she rests with your god. Maker, or something like that.' Nuada nodded, still unsure. 'Wouldn't that mean, regardless of whose beliefs are right or wrong or anything… wouldn't that mean she is resting in a warm place now, free from pain, where she watches over her loved ones?'
Nuada stared at me a moment before smiling. It was a small, broken looking smile, made him look fragile for the first time we met. He… had to trust me a lot, to let me see that sort of smile. That was how he was. 'Yeah, that sounds good.' And then he told Oren what I said, signing so I could keep track of the conversation too. I wondered if he was thinking of others who'd died. His parents. That knight. Duncan and Shem-King Cailan. I thought of the ones I'd lost. The father I'd never known. The mamae who left because she thought it best. Zaphikel, my first and greatest teacher. Tamlen, my dearest friend. Zathrian, my mentor. Were they in a warm place too? I hoped so.
I waved my hand to catch Nuada's attention. 'Going for a quick walk.' He didn't question me as to why I had the sudden need. Instead, his smile became understanding. I wondered if he'd seek alone time after putting Oren to bed. Or maybe he'd slip back on the fool's mask to make himself and others laugh. Who was to say?
'If you aren't back by first watch starts, we're coming to look for you.' A generous amount of time. Trust in my abilities, despite my lack of hearing, and respect for my want of space. I welcomed both.
I left the two and ducked into the forest surrounding our camp. The wind was cold, and I flinched as something brushed my cheek. I reached up to catch it, and discovered it was a leaf, turning gold at the edges. I tossed it into the air and watched it dance on the wind before continuing my walk. I relaxed as the reassuring smells of trees and flowers wafted over me, noticing how tired I was. Probably from so much 'talking'. I'd get used to it, though. It always hurt to learn new skills.
The smell of water caught my attention and I meandered towards it, discovering a large lake. The moonlight danced across the surface, the wind rippling the reflection… except there were too many ripples for simply the wind. Something else was here too.
Cautiously, I crept along the shore, wanting to make sure there were no enemies nearby, or no animals that could wander into our camp and hurt someone. It was far more difficult to hunt without hearing, but my sight was strong and if I checked my steps, I knew I would be as quiet as I ever was.
That said, I knew my breath caught in my throat as I realized the source of the extra ripples. Morrigan. I'd apparently caught her mid-bath. She was gathering her hair up, the moonlight turning her skin alabaster white and catching on the water droplets to make her sparkle. I shook my head at the thought. Morrigan really didn't suit 'sparkling'.
Movement caught my eye and I grimaced when I realized I'd been caught. She was looking right at me, twisting so I could see her glittering gold eyes and devious smirk. She ran her hand through the water before bringing it up to sign, 'like what you see?'
'I would not be so foolish as to take advantage of the situation to look at what you might not want anyone seeing,' I signed immediately, focusing on her hands, and the ripples in the water. Not… anything else currently within my view.
'And if I extend the invitation?' As she finished signing, she offered her hands to me. I stared at them, thinking things through. I knew what sort of invitation this was. There was no way to playfully misinterpret. My options were limited: stay or leave. Take the invitation or walk away.
I decided to take it, let her pull me into the lake and cause even more ripples to disturb the surface. The water was cold. But her kiss and hands were very, very warm.
And the vibration from her moan as I kissed her neck was absolutely intoxicating.
Author's note: Well, that's one couple official. Yay. Just a short little chapter for character interactions. Wynne and Sten's interaction is based on one of their party banters. Same to Alistair and Zevran's interaction. Cleon's reply to Oren's question is based off what a romanced!Merrill will tell Hawke after Leandra's death.
Next Chapter: Interlude – Wynne
