.xxviii.
"Ah, excellent job, Alba," Master smiles graciously, going through her meticulously arranged accounting of all expenses of the party. "You continue to impress with your loyal service."
"Thank you, Master."
"I want to ensure, however, that Magisters Cornelia and Flavia are kept to separate ends of the function. I do not need need them fighting each other again. Last time we had to replace all of the curtains, and Magister Salvatore's eyebrows never grew back quite right."
"I will ensure it."
"See to it that all of the guests coming from father away receive their invitations in time. And that the proper accommodations are made. There is enough room here on the estate to give them all their own rooms. I would like as many guests as possible to stay and admire my little bird."
"It will be done, Master."
"I do so enjoy how obedient you are. It is good to remember that, sometimes I look at you and see how plain you are. Then I question why I bother keeping you around at all!" He laughs heartily, and she dips her head in agreement, long ago hardened to his cruel words. She feels nothing.
He grabs a fistful of her hair and yanks her head back, planting long, harsh kisses on her impassive face, sliding his tongue down her neck. She forces herself not to flinch at the the scratch of his beard against her skin, his revolting touch. Without warning he pushes her away, and she hits the floor, sliding painfully across the tiles.
"I don't want you."
She stands slowly, head dipped hesitant and unwilling to draw his attention as he sulks around the room, sneer on his face.
"It is Ava whom I want, and yet even now she resists me. She is so much like him. Such resilience. It is delicious. So tempting to simply take what I please, but it is far more entertaining to watch them come to me on their knees..." he trails his fingers across the spines of his multitude of tomes. "It is of little consequence, however, I have set in motion plans that will guarantee all is as I will it. You may go now, and continue your work."
She bows low, and backs out of his study, pulling the doors shut as she leaves. His voice sounds from within, and for a second, she's sure the Master has called her back, so she reopens the doors slightly, listening for his voice. But it is not her he's calling for.
"Varania."
"I am here," a woman responds, drawing from the shadows.
"You're cloaking spells are improving. Well done."
"Thank you Master."
"How goes your search? Have you learned anything of import?" Sounds of bare footsteps, light and sure.
"My brother and his friends did find the trail. They were preparing to leave Kirkwall for Minrathous when I last received word."
"Mm. Wonderful. Exactly as I had hoped. Though I must admit I was concerned that we had left too little evidence for them to follow."
"They are not fools. They are also not a force to take lightly. They are powerful, and plenty. And of course, very devoted to their friend." She speaks factually, with a hint of distaste. "Tread carefully."
"Of course. I did not get where I am by being foolhardy." A pause, muted movement, the rustling of robes. "You have truly proven yourself to have the mettle necessary to call yourself an apprentice. Perhaps the title of Magister is next."
"That is my intent."
The wood creaks slightly under her hands, not enough to draw attention, thankfully, but enough to break her out of her shocked stupor. Noiselessly, she draws away from the door, quickly leaving, burdened under the weight of her revelation. Part of her wants to keep it secret. She knows how to keep secrets, it is a skill she has perfected over the years, but another part of her, strange and uncommon, wants to tell Ava. Even if there is nothing she can do about it, at least she deserves to know. Alba makes up her mind as she approaches the slave quarters, laughter from within distracting her for a moment.
Inside, Ava is entertaining the other slaves with her good spirits and equally terrible jokes, in botched Tevene, somehow understandable, if barely. If there is one flaw to be named in the woman, it is her sense of humor. Balazs smiles the brightest at her stories, and Alba feels jealousy twinging in her heart. She has always been the one to make her little brother smile. It is not a pleasant feeling to share his attention.
"So: Do not chase the angry Mabari while holding candelabra, or it will be ending in a not good way."
Everyone laughs, though some of the older slaves look completely confused. She grins widely, though the act makes her sunken eyes and cheeks look even more evident. Under the edges of her tattered sleeves there are new livid red wounds lining her thin arms.
"No more stories now, or you will be too tired to reproach." Everyone looks at her quizzically.
"Ah, no, not reproach, work." Her verbal blunder just earns her more laughter.
There is a great deal of chatter afterward, some companionable pats on the back from the others, and the floor clears of the sitting spectators, all heading off to their cots and niches for sleep. Alba moves forward through the dispersing crowd to her work desk.
"Alba! Glad to see you!" Ava slumps into a chair near her small desk table, crossing her long legs and leaning back with forced ease. Her limbs tremble as she does, though her smile never falters. "Though you missed the fun." Balazs comes over as well, smiling more than she has ever seen before.
"Ava tells very funny stories."
"Ah, the truth is I stole most from my friend. His stories are very funny. One time-"
"That is wonderful, Balazs. Now do as she says and prepare for bed."
He looks hurt to be waved away, and Ava confused at her interruption, but does as he is told, with a quiet "Goodnight," to the both of them.
"You look upset. Something is wrong?" Ava's face darkens. "Danarius is-"
"There is something I should tell you."
"Please speak. I am made of ears." Alba blinks uncomprehendingly. Ava shakes her head. "What do you want to say?"
She sits across from the woman keeping her voice low, scanning for eavesdroppers as she begins to speak. "I overheard the Master discussing your Fenris."
Ava bolts upright, leaning close across the table. "What does he say?"
"I believe he has lied to you. I heard him speaking to someone- it sounds as though he plans to recapture him."
The easy laughter is gone from her face. She looks deadly. Without noticing, she switches back to her native tongue, cursing profusely. "That bastard. I should have known. I was a fool to believe he would keep his end of the bargain."
"I tell you this as your friend so you will not be shocked when it happens. Please do not fight the Master's will. I do not want to see you hurt. You are the only other person I have ever considered a friend."
Ava stares at her with a look she's never seen despite the woman's expressive face, something very different than what she has become accustomed to.
"Thank you, Alba. I am glad you consider me a friend. I am... honored to call you my friend as well." The woman rises steadily and leaves without another word.
She had promised nothing.
Alba wishes she had not spoken at all.
Author's Note: Surprise! I bet you guys didn't see that coming, did you? Danarius being a dishonorable piece of crap! Unbelievable, right? Hahaha, they're going to need a new word for hate when I'm finished writing this. Do you guys ever write something that disgusts you so much that you just have to stop for a second? Yeah, that's what I did with this chapter. Seriously detest this guy.
darksoulrose: Wow! You made me blush! I'm really happy that you like it! The crew definitely will be party crashing. How could they miss an opportunity like that? I can see it now- Aveline, Isabela, and Merrill all in dressy Tevinter style ball gowns. The boys in crushed velvet formal wear, or something equally horrible. It'll be great. Thank you so much for the follow!
To all of you who have consistently supported and encouraged me, I can't thank you enough! Your presence fuels my creativity. This is for all of you:D
Next up: Hawke is tired of these motherf*cking snakes on this motherf*cking plane. The crew finally arrives in Tevinter, and Anders is not as impressed as he thought he would be. Will he realize that there has to be compromise between mages and non mages? Will Fenris kill someone before chapter's end? Who's this weirdo yelling at them in the streets of Minrathous? Stay tuned!