Please find here attached, the penultimate chapter of The Drinking Problem.
In which a truth is revealed in a very unpleasant manner.
I still make no profit out of this and owe nothing apart from Beth.
Enjoy, we are nearly there :)
"Krem! KREM!"
The beast circled the air above them, and each swing of its wings brought destructive, scorching gusts on them. The arch demon was somewhere near,the army of corrupted Templars approached, their lights a menacing promise in the dark.
Krem tore his gaze away from the sight. He'd barely had time to put his armor on and pick up his hammer before the dragon had struck again, burning his barracks. The party was over. He'd sobered up.
"Krem, Stitches, get the injured! The ward's burning, take them to the chantry. DALISH!"
Krem pulled his buff over his nose and mouth, then him and Stitches both forced the door of the medical ward open. Inside, the air was unbearable. Smoke and fire everywhere. Scorching heat and screams of pain and panic.
"You get that side I get the other," he shouted to Stitches. "Leave the ones that are already dead."
Krem set off. His eyes were watering from the insane heat. Most patients on this side of the ward had already died, either from their injuries or, most likely, from the suffocating smoke. He reached the mattress of an elf, whose face and arms were rather badly burned.
"No!" Screamed the elf. "No! Get her, I can walk!"
He was pointing at the mattress next to his, in which a semi unconscious elvish girl laid. She was wrapped in bandages and looked nearly dead.
"You sure?" He asked the man.
"Get her and fuck off, I can walk!"
Krem picked the girl up, she weighed nothing. Some starved refugee no doubt, they seemed to arrive in waves, all blank stares and hollow cheeks.
Krem ran back out of the ward, right after Stitches who carried another patient, a screeching old lady. Krem looked back to the elf, who had collapsed back onto his mattress. 'I can walk' my ass, he thought.
Krem made his way up to the Chantry. The great shadow of the dragon passed over him, and its roar was so powerful that he felt his insides vibrate. The girl woke then , and started crying in his arms, holding on to his armor so tightly that it must have hurt her hands.
"It's alright, you're ok, I've got you, you'll get help soon" he tried telling her, but she gave no sign that she had heard him.
"Krem, we need to get more, the red Templars are nearly at the gate," said Stitches as Krem arrived at the chantry.
The young warrior set the girl on the floor, and soon enough a couple of healers ran to her. Him and Stitches ran back out. They were nearly at the ward when a great wall of fire appeared out of nowhere, followed by a gigantic fireball that hit the medical ward. The noise was deafening, the smoke was blinding, and the smell of burning bodies was choking.
"To the gate," yelled Krem. "We hold. We wait for the Chief's orders."
"Krem?" Asked Dalish, worried.
"We hold, we wait for the Chief's orders." Replied Krem.
"Why is he not giving his fucking orders?" Yelled Skinner.
The Venatori were approaching fast. They had not thought there would be that many of them. Now they were at shooting range,and their archers armed their bows. Dalish used her own bow to cast a protective barrier around the Chargers.
"We hold" repeated Krem, though he knew very well that if they did, they would die. There was no other way. They could not fight an army. The Venatori boat kept vomiting more and more soldiers and mages.
"Come on, Chief," said Grim through gritted teeth. His eyes were no longer focused on their enemies, but travelled up the hill, up to the imposing silhouette of the Qunari their lives were in the hands of. Krem followed his gaze. Next to the Chief, smaller, the silhouette of the Inquisitor. The two of them were turned towards each other, probably discussing what orders to give. This is it, thought Krem. There was no way the Inquisition would give up on an alliance with the Qunari. Certainly not for 7 mercenaries.
"Gentlemen, ladies, it was a pleasure." Said Rocky.
"Likewise"
I don't want to die, thought Krem. Not now. Not now.
Beth, and her amazing sense of balance, carrying trays full of 'dead soldiers'.
Not now.
Her golden head, so different from the girls' back in Tervinter.
I need to see her again.
She'd said she would miss him.
I need to tell her something. Surely the Chief won't leave us to die?
Krem held his position, his hands never shaking. The Venatori were within shooting range, their arrows crashing against Dalish's barrier. He regretted having picked his hammer over a sword and shield.
I should have kissed her hand, he thought, then pushed all thoughts of her to the back of his mind. Die with honour.
Then, the Chief's horn signalled retreat, and it sounded like the sweetest song of all.
"Fucking finally" said Grim, and they all set off running.
The Inquisitor had chosen to let them live. But more importantly, the Chief had handed their lives over to somebody else. The Chief would have let them die if the Inquisitor had demanded it. The Chief, who'd saved each of them,giving them a new life. The Chief was ready to sacrifice them. This thought would haunt Krem and the others for the rest of their lives, although none of them would ever have the guts to talk about it.
Beth's life had gone back to being as straightforward as could be. Get up, work, go to sleep. Except, prior to Krem she had used to love the soul destroying rhythm, because it meant that time went fast and she did not have to think. Now, however, each second felt agonisingly slow, and all she wanted was for a certain young warrior to be back in her life, all cheeky smiles and charming gestures. He must have been gone for at least three months, she thought (in reality it was just over three weeks). I should have kissed him, she kept saying to herself. Though, thinking about it, it probably would have made her look like a complete weirdo.
Each day, she asked the guards on watch if they had heard about the Iron Bull and his Chargers, and each day they let her down. She got so desperate that she even went to ask lady Cassandra, who trained near the tavern, if she'd heard anything. The fierce lady stared at Beth as she stammered her question away, until the situation became so awkward that Beth had to leave.
One morning, as Beth was sweeping the floor while simultaneously working up the courage to climb up the steps to the fortress and ask someone higher up like the lady Josephine or the master spy Leliana, Maryden walked into the tavern and said:
"They're back. The Chargers. They arrived earlier this morning apparently."
"What?"
"They're back," repeated the bard with a smirk. "Your lover's back. They're all safe. They've gone to their quarters to rest, they'll probably be around tonight." She looked Beth up and down. "Gives you some time to sort yourself out."
That evening, Beth deliberately chose to wear the human dress, the one that was too big for her. It did not fit her as all, but the last time she'd worn it Krem had told her she was beautiful. She really hoped he was ok, Maryden had said they were all safe, but she really hoped he wasn't hurt. And that he hadn't forgotten about her.
As if on cue, Beth's boss Covet seemed to have chosen that particular night to constantly send her on random errands. She had to go upstairs to fetch a bucket. Then downstairs to fetch ale. Then she could mind the tables a bit. Then she had to go down again to fetch some wine. Upstairs again to stop the strange boy with the large hat from feeding the attic rats. How was she supposed to watch for Krem's arrival if she kept on being sent away?
"Beth" called Covet for the uptenth time. "Beth, this barrel is empty, take it downstairs will you, it's in the way"
"For Maker' sake" swore Beth under her breath. Now beyond exasperation, she picked up the empty barrel as of it weighed nothing and rushed to the cellar. Rather than go down the steps to where the barrels were stored, Beth stopped at the top and threw the empty one. She was out of there before it had even hit the ground several feet below.
When she got back into the main room, her blood froze in her veins, then boiled and rushed throughout her body, settling particularly on her cheeks and throat.
They were there. The Chargers, all of them, at their usual table. Krem was there too.
All of Beth's annoyement went at once, and it left her standing there, clutching her hands, her heart beating a wild rhythm as she discussed whether or not to walk over there, or wait till he noticed her. She did not have to ponder long however, as the Iron Bull spotted her from accross the room and beckoned her over.
The elf made her way to them, smoothing out her skirt and wiping the sweat off her forehead. She kept her head down until the legs of their table appeared in front of her feet.
Krem set his bottle on the table.
"You're back," said his waitress with her lovely voice. "Are you well?"
"I am ok, thanks, though it was a bit of a close one" replied Grim.
"She meant Krem" said Skinner through gritted teeth.
"All of you, I meant," hurried Beth, looking around at them all. Of course she'd only meant Krem.
Krem knew he was supposed to answer her, or at least ask how she had been, Maker knew he wanted to know everything she'd been up to since he'd left, but the words were choked up in his throat and all he could do was blush and stare at her in awe. She had that dress again, the one with the bare shoulders. It made him think of how it had felt like to hold her in his arms as they danced in this same tavern. He'd missed her.
"So, the Storm Coast huh?" She asked, clearly nervous.
"Yes" replied Bull, after kicking Krem harder than necessary under the table. "It was a messy affair, and a close shot. We're all fine, although I'm expecting an assassin any time now. That's why I keep drinking this " he held up a small red flask between his huge fingers "Krem here has been really brave, as always. Didn't back down as a full army of Venatori were piling up on the shore a few feet away."
Beth nodded, impressed. She didn't quite like the sound of that, she realised. A few weeks before she would have loved to hear all about Krem's bravery, but at present she almost would have rather he acted like a coward. Cowards lived, she was proof of it herself.
"Wow," she breathed. "I am so glad you're okay"
It had escaped her before she could temper her breathlessness, and all the Chargers gave her a rather sharp, mocking look, with knowing smiles barely concealed. Krem just nodded at her, still silent.
"Hav-have you a-all got drinks?" Asked Beth, now embarrassed beyond belief.
She whirled around and left before any of them could give her an answer.
" 'I'm so glad you're okay' " mimicked Grim. "I think she fancies me " he added towards Dalish who just snorted.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Asked the Chief.
"I don't know, I just... I don't know. She looks fine anyway."
"Yeah, a bit mortified by your blatant rudeness, but other than that she does look fine."
"My blatant... You think I was rude? Was I rude?"
"A bit" conceded Dalish.
"Crap"
"That's probably why she's into me, now" said Grim.
"How did it go?" Enquiried Dalia excitedly.
"It didn't" grumbled Beth.
From her safe spot behind the bar, the young elf could clearly see Maryden giving her a "you better have a detailed report ready for me when I get to you" look while she sang.
"Dalia" said Covet. "Take these upstairs will ya love, they're clean."
He handed the young woman a pile of clean sheets, but at this exact moment Beth saw Krem standing up and starting to make his way towards the bar, his eyes on her, so she grabbed the sheets off the dwarf's hands.
"I'll do it!" She shrieked before running up the steps.
She passed a few more patrons, the ones that favoured the second floor, such as the elvish archer Sera, the one from the song Maryden liked to sing.
There's an idea, thought Beth, next time Maryden bothers me to know how things are going between Krem and I, I'll make sure to ask how her wooing of Sera is going.
She opened the door to the bedrooms, and went for the walk-in wardrobe at the very end of the corridor. It has used to be a study, but ever since Covet had taken over they had turned it into a giant cupboard. A great desk still adorned the room, and the staff used it to pile clean sheets and pillows on. She refolded all the sheets as neatly as she could - she was in no hurry to go back down - and was so engrossed in her chore that her brains did not register the sound of cracking wood as someone heavier than her walked along the corridor.
Beth jumped as she suddenly heard somebody clearing their throat just a couple of meters behind her.
"Hi" said Krem, sheepish. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's ok. I mean, you didn't."
It felt strange, being on her own with him, in the night time, alone, in semi darkness. She blushed.
"What are you up to?" He asked.
"Oh, nothing much, I'm just folding sheets, you know, I'm just sort of.. Working."
He looked at the sheets, then around the room.
"Big cupboard" he said. "Have you uh.. Have you had a nice month?"
"Alright yes, I've just been sort of working I guess."
And worrying sick about you, she silently added. You're even more handsome than I remembered.
"Did you need anything?" She asked, trying to regain control.
"No, I just, I realise I was maybe a bit rude back there. I just wanted to say that I'm really pleased you're okay too. It really was a close shot, and uh.." He trailed off.
He's embarrassed! She realised.
He stood there, shoulders slumped, scratching his neck, and looking anywhere but at her.
"I uh, I think I could have died then, for real, and I realised I really needed to see you again and uh, tell you something."
Subconsciously, Beth's hands met in front of her and she started playing with the absent ring on her right hand. She'd had to trade that ring, a family heirloom, in exchange for fireproof blankets on the way to Skyhold. The habit remained, though.
"Yes?"
"I..."
He straightened his shoulders, suddenly, and looked her straight in the eyes. The shy young man was gone, replaced by the mercenary captain he was.
"I like you very much, Beth. You are very dear to me, dearer even than a friend. I wish for us to be more than friends, but I must say I would rather have your friendship than be sent away from you, should you not return my feelings. In any case, I owe you the truth, and I must say it to you before I..."
He stopped, and looked away, his cheeks red. She'd had time to catch his eyes darting to her lips.
Her heart was trying to burst out of her ribcage.
"Before you what?" She asked.
"Before..."
He likes me, she thought. More than a friend. This is your only chance, Beth, you have to tell him.
He won't want me anymore if he knows.
You owe him the truth.
Can I not at least enjoy this before I speak? This is probably the only kiss I will ever get.
"Before you what?" She repeated,taking a few steps towards him.
His eyes returned to hers. She kept walking.
"Before I.."
She was so close now that she could feel the warmth emanating from his body. She put a hand on his shoulder to steady herself.
"Before I kiss you" he said, finally.
"Perhaps you should hurry up, then," she said, and with that she stood on her tiptoes and closed the distance between them.
It was a lovely feeling, this soft, warm pressure on her lips. Her nose brushed against his smooth cheeks. Tentatively, she parted her lips a tiny bit, then closed them around his bottom lip, the fullest, to see what it would feel like. It did not disappoint: the warm pressure turned into a tingling sensation which started in her lips and travelled all around her body in waves. Krem started responding to her kiss then, his arms wrapping around her, one hand finding its way to the back of her neck, holding her in place through her hair. His lips moved against hers, then his head tilted to the side and he deepened the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, something which she'd always wanted to do. The hand that had been holding her neck travelled to the side of her face, and he pulled away a bit as his thumb traced her bottom lip, testing its fullness.
"Maker, I love your lips" he whispered breathlessly, before kissing her again.
Beth moaned into his mouth, and his grip on her tightened.
Is this lust? asked her brain. She'd never really felt it before, and never really thought of sex, but it most definitely was lust, this strange, exhilarating feeling that took possession of all her senses. It was amazing, how you could suddenly realise how much you craved something, and that only once it started happening. Soon there were no thoughts, just feelings, and no shyness either, just want. They both had a truth they wished to disclose to the other, but none of that mattered then, all that filtered through the hot fog in her mind was "more".
She still stood on tiptoes, and her legs finally gave. The height difference now endangering their kiss, Beth pulled him to her as she moved backwards, until her back hit the desk. Krem helped her sit up on it, and he was the one to push her legs apart as he stepped inbetween them and started kissing her again. They were so, so close. Neither of them had ever been this turned on before.
This has escalated quickly, she thought, then was amazed by the fact that she could still form coherent thoughts. There's one thing you're choosing not to think about though, isn't there?
She pushed the guilt to the back of her mind - she still had not told him about her situation - and just pulled him closer. Her hands left his neck and started roaming around his back, his shoulders, his torso. Under his shirt, she could feel some sort of extra layer, something which had buckles, and she guessed that it must have been an extra protection, an 'under armor' of sorts.
Krem's left hand trailed along her side, then squeezed her thigh.
"Maker" she said.
"You can call me Krem" he joked, cheeky smile in place.
She let out a breathless laugh which died out in her throat as he started kissing her neck instead. She was lost in the sensations and did not realise at first that his hand was now, slowly but surely, pulling her skirt up, searching for her legs.
When she realised what he was doing, and what it implied, all lustful fog left Beth's mind and was replaced by the cold grip of dread. Her hand caught his just as it was about to get to ther skin, and her other hand pushed him away.
"Wait, wait, wait," she said.
Immediately, as if he'd received an electric spell, Krem jumped away from her so hard his back hit the wall behind him.
"Sorry!"
"No!"
"I know, sorry!"
"No that's not what I mean, wait"
"I know I'm sorry I got too excited!"
He made to leave, so she slid off the desk and caught his arm.
"Wait" said the elf more forcefully. "It's... It's not that I don't want to, it's that there is... There's something that needs to be made clear first, otherwise there'll be a nasty surprise."
He looked at her, but he didn't seem like he'd quite understood what she'd said.
"Yeah. You're right. Maker Beth I'm so sorry, I should have told you before we even... I have to tell you the truth right now."
What was he talking about? She was the one at fault, she had something to tell him. A horrible feeling settled over her as she looked at his smooth, oh so smooth face. By the Maker... Had he lied about his age? Was he actually a teenager?
"Okay, here we go. Beth, what I haven't told you yet is that I..."
"BETH!"
A girly scream, followed by a storm of footsteps running up the stairs.
"BETH!"
Krem and Beth exchanged a startled look then both turned towards the steps. Dalia appeared at the top of them, completely out of breath, her eyes wide with horror.
"Beth! STOP! You get away from her!"
"What?" Asked Krem, beyond confused.
"Beth"
Dalia walked over to them and grabbed Beth's arm, pulling her away from Krem. She pointed an accusatory finger at the young Tervinter warrior and said:
"It's a woman!"