Redcliffe castle was quiet for the most part, only the help scurring about doing their chores. She hadn't spent nearly as long as she thought she might explaining how things went in Orzammar or the fact that she was still waiting for word that a Dalish clan was nearby. Arl Eamon had graciously offered his guest rooms to her and her companions until then. She had been delightfully surprised to find a window in her room that over looked Lake Calenhad. The lake looked beautiful in the late afternoon light. She opened the window and sat in the window sill.
"So are you going to tell me what happened?" It was Leliana, she was standing in the doorway.
"What happened when? You were standing there with me when we talked to Eamon." she replied. Leliana closed the door.
"I'm not naive Keira. You've been glowing all day. So tell me what happened." Leliana said with a pout.
"If I've been glowing I would think you would know why." she said with a smirk.
"I do know. I just want to hear you say it." Leliana said as she joined Keira on the window sill.
"Zev came to my tent last night." she sighed.
"Its about time." Leliana giggled.
"What?" Keira said shocked. Just then they heard a knock at the door.
"Yea, come in." Keira said still in shock. The door opened and a small elven maid stood in the doorway.
"Excuse me my ladies, but the Arl requests your presence in his study." she said in her mousy voice.
"Thank you. We'll be down in a moment." Keira replied as the maid bent at the waist a little and left. As Leliana moved to get up Keira grabbed her wrist.
"Leliana please don't tell anyone especially Alistair." she pleaded.
"Tell anyone what?" Leliana replied with a wink. Keira smiled and both ladies made their way down to the first floor where the Arl's study was located. Arl Eamon was sitting behind his desk talking with his brother Bann Teagan, Alistair and an elven man that Keira didn't recognize.
"You wanted to talk to us Arl Eamon?" she said looking at the aging man.
"Ah yes Warden. We have a messenger here and he has informed us that a Dalish clan will be in the Brecilian Forest by tomorrow morning." he said waving his hand at the man.
"Well thats good news. I'll let my other companions know that we'll be leaving in the morning." she replied. She stood there, Teagan, Eamon, and Alistair were looking at her with worry.
"Something else gentleman?" she said suddenly feeling sick.
"Thank you for your message you are excused." Eamon said to the man, who bowed and left.
"Leliana if you would please shut the door." Eamon said. Leliana closed the door and returned to Keira's side looking as confused as she was.
"Zevran is missing Keira." Alistair said looking down at the floor. "We can't find him in the castle." She felt her blood boil and she clenched her fists.
"What is your point Alistair?" she said taking a deep breath trying to keep her voice steady.
"His point being that..." Eamon started
"YOU BROUGHT THEM INTO THIS!" Keira screamed at Alistair.
"Zev has been missing since this morning and I find that suspicious." he replied.
"ARE YOU KEEPING TABS ON OUR OTHER FRIENDS TOO?" she was shaking now. It would be a miracle if she didn't hit him.
"Its not the others I'm worried about." he said glaring at her.
"And why not? Leliana is an Orlesian bard, Sten is Qunari, Shale is golem, and Morrigan is an apostate! Why don't you keep track of them too!" she said through clenched teeth.
"Because non of them were sent to kill you."
"ME? DON'T YOU MEAN US? DID YOU TELL THEM THAT? THAT ZEV WAS SENT TO KILL BOTH OF US?" she yelled. She turned on her heel and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Alistair said raising his voice.
"TO THE VILLAGE. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO LAZY TO SEARCH THERE DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AM TOO!" she roared as she opened the door then slammed it shut behind her. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she couldn't see straight. She was so sick and tired of always trying to defend Zevran to Alistair. Everyone else had seemed to accept him into the group and enjoyed his company, and it had been months since he first tried to kill them. If he was still actively trying to kill her, he would have by now. He was skilled with poisons and she had gone off by herself enough times that he definitly could have killed her very easily. She was almost to the front door when she heard Alistair yelling from down the hall.
"Keira wait, please!" he said starting to run. She ignored him and pushed open the heavy wooden door and made her way down the stone steps. When he finally caught up to her in the courtyard he grabbed her wrist.
"Keira why don't you trust me about him?" he pleaded looking her in the eyes.
"Its not a matter of trust, Alistair. I trust you with my life." she snapped, yanking her wrist out of his hand.
"Then what is it?" he sighed
"Its the fact that out of all of our potentially deadly friends the only one you don't trust is Zev. Its also that you haven't even thought about searching the village! No one ever mentioned that anyone had to stay in the castle! Plus your jealous!" she growled at him crossing her arms over her chest.
"Whoa whoa whoa. Jealous? Jealous of what exactly?" he said raising an eyebrow. She looked away from him and stayed silent. She heard him sigh.
"Look even if there is something going on between you two, I don't care. I just don't want you to die at his hands when I could have prevented it." he whispered. "You said it yourself after you came with me to see Goldanna. I don't need her family because you are my family. Thats how I've seen you since that day, as my sister. Not just in a Grey Warden, fighting for the same cause way either." he stated. She sighed and felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.
"You still told Eamon and Teagan. Even if I do find him I doubt either one would let him back into the castle." she said letting her arms fall to her sides.
"He is an assassin, he could just sneak back in." he said as he smiled. She looked at him and shook her head.
"Because that would make everything better." she sighed letting herself smile.
"I will always be suspicious of him until I feel he proves other wise." he started "but I could start keeping it to myself." he finished with a smirk
"That would be great. Now if you excuse me I have to find Zev." she said looking up at him. He smiled and nodded.
"I'll be here talking to Eamon and Teagan." he responded. She sighed and headed down the path to Redcliffe village. She was relieved that Alistair had no romantic feelings towards her. She still wanted to be mad at him for dragging Eamon and Teagan into it but after all the yelling she did, she couldn't find the emotional strength to hold a grudge. She stopped and looked up at the tavern that sat on a small hill. It was as good as a place to start looking as any.
The tavern had a few patrons tonight. Mostly loners sitting in various corners and a group of 3 off duty soldiers just trying to relax. She looked around and spotted Oghren sitting with Zev in the opposite corner of the tavern. They both caught her eye and waved to her. She made her way over to them and smiled to both Lloyd and Bella as she passed them
"Ah Warden you made it just in time for a drink!" Oghren proclaimed holding up his mug.
"How long have you guys been here?" she said sitting down at the table.
"Since about noon. Why did you miss us?" Zev joked.
"Actually it had just come to my attention that no one has seen either one of you for a while." she said pushing an empty mug to the middle of the table.
"You know what Warden? You elves. You elves are allrright." Oghren slurred.
"You need something to drink hun?" Bella asked.
"I'm fine Bella, thanks. I just came to retrieve my friends." she replied. She watched as Bella made her round refilling the other patrons drinks.
"Come on Oghren time to head back." Zev said standing up.
"Not until I've finished my drink!" Oghren proclaimed.
"Take it with you, Oghren." Keira said as Zev escorted Oghren towards the door. She made her way over to Lloyd.
"Either one of them owe you anything?" she said.
"Nope, and as far as the mug goes, tell him to keep it." Lloyd said wiping the bar down with a rag. She thanked him quietly and made her way out of the tavern. She found Zev and Oghren at the bottom of the hill. Zev was watching with an amused look on his face as Oghren continued to stumble towards the castle. The fact that the dwarf was still standing amazed her. She made her way down the hill and stopped next to Zev.
"What were you two doing here all afternoon anyway?" she said watching Oghren.
"Relaxing mostly and swapping stories." he said with a smirk.
"I don't want to know." she sighed shaking her head. Oghren was almost up the hill leading towards the castle now.
"We'd better catch up to him and make sure he doesn't hurt himself." she said starting to walk towards Oghren. Zevran kept in step with her and when the caught up to Oghren they both stayed on either side of him to keep him from falling. The pace was slow but eventually they made it up to the castle and into Oghren's room were once he hit the bed he was fast asleep.
"You know we do have a few hours until dinner is served." Zev said as they left Oghren's room and shut the door.
"I wonder what we should do with that time?" she said sarcastically. He moved over to her and pressed his lips to hers.
"I have a few ideas." he purred. He kissed again as the both hurried down the hall to her room and locked the door behind them.