Since the morning they left, Alistair had been following Diana around like a little dog wanting its treat. It annoyed Zevran greatly, since he never got an opportunity to talk to her. Something had changed between her and Alistair. He was no fool. A sting of jealousy crept upon him. That was different. Diana had refused to come near Zevran after their dispute.

They had just arrived in Denerim; Loghain had even personally greeted them at arl Eamon's estate. Diana had a hungry look on her face for the man that walked behind him. She clutched her daggers tightly, so tight that her knuckles went white. The man recognized her as well.

Diana said, "Howe, it's so very nice meeting you." Her voice was calm and icy cold. "I have wished since your visit in Highever, that I would get the chance to see you again. To settle some business."

He merely chuckled and left with Loghain after their short meeting.

When Diana was walking up to her room in Eamon's estate, Zevran followed her. This was the first time the templar had not been trailing after her. He sneaked in her room and closed the door. She jumped at the sight of him.

"Zevran! Maker, don't scare me like that!"

He chuckled at her expression and asked: "So that was Howe?"

"Yes that's the disgusting snake that destroyed..." her voice cracked.

"Do not worry, pet. His time will come, and when it does, you'll be the last thing he sees."

"I'll make sure that happens!" Her hands were trembling.

"Was that all Zev?" She shot a glance at him.

"No."

She looked at him.

He did not know why he wanted to know. "I noticed that your relations with the templar have been...blossoming, shall we say?"

Diana crossed her arms. "Did you not tell me to take my fancies where I could find them?"

"Yes, but you also know that Alistair cares for you more than to only be your bed partner."

"Why do you care what I do with my personal life?" Her voice was shaking.

The question was out before Zevran could stop his mouth: "Do you love him?" His tone was flat.

"I...I care for him."

"That's not an answer, pet." His heart started to pound a bit faster, waiting for her answer. Isn't that funny? A girl could make him more nervous then facing the Blight or the Crows.

They stared at each other. Finally she said, "No. I don't love him. I was angry at you, which I still am, and he was...there. Maker, I'm pathetic!" She sat down on the bed, with her face buried in her hands. Zevran closed in on her, pulling her fingers away and taking her face in his warm hands.

"You are many things my dear. Pathetic is not one of them."

After a few minutes of silence, she spoke. "Why do you care? You didn't answer."

"And I will not."

"I'm still angry at you." She pouted at him.

"Well, I will have to make up for that, won't I?" He chuckled, stroking

her cheek.

"I'm not your toy, Zevran. I'm not going to be thrown aside while you're

doing your business with other women." her voice hissed.

He raised his eyebrows. "I haven't been the one throwing myself in the arms

of another one night after we had a little argument."

She glared at him and said. "For all that it's worth. I'm sorry. Not that you care!" She groaned. "How will I ever be able to tell Alistair that I slept with him out of self pity and anger?"

"Well that, my dear, I do not know." He sat down next to the fragile Warden. He felt relieved - she didn't love Alistair. But why should he care?

Without thinking, he stroked her hair. She pulled his hand away and said, "I don't trust myself with you. I will not have you or anybody else intimately close until I can think straight. Now please get out!"

He obliged.

--

"Meet me at the arl's estate. I will be waiting there with the uniforms; do not bring a large group with you." The servant said. Diana, the arl and Anora's servant were talking in Eamon's study about how to rescue the queen.

She nodded, and the elven servant left. Diana was content, she was going to meet Howe sooner then she thought. Sweet vengeance. She walked out in kitchen were her fellowship was, and called Sten, Wynne and Zevran.

Alistair whined. "Why can't I come?"

"Because I am not about to put you through unnecessary danger."

"But you can put yourself through it?" He said, wrinkling his nose.

"Rescuing the queen is no small task, and Howe will be there. I think I have my reasons to go. Alistair, stop questioning the plan. Just stay here and don't get in any trouble. I think Arl Eamon will appreciate that you remain here so you can discuss your future king plans!"

He was about to argue but the look on Diana's face shut him up.

--

In the back alley on the way to the estate, Zevran felt like there was someone watching them, and he kept a constant watchful eye around them. He told Diana, but she ignored him. He couldn't let this feeling go. He stared at the empty carriages and trees. There was far too many in one place with no one around them.

"Oh, so here is the mighty Warden at long last." He recognized that voice. It was Taliesen's. "The Crows sends their regards once more."

Zevran saw assassins coming out from behind the trees and the carriages, and he and Diana pulled out their daggers. He looked at Taliesen and yelled. "Here I am Taliesen. Tell me, were you sent? Or did you volunteer for the job?"

"He makes an appearance! I volunteered of course. When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue I simply had to see it for myself."

"Well here I am in the flesh."

"You can return with me Zevran. I know why you did this and I don't blame you. Come back and we can make up a story."

Zevran looked at the Warden. It would certainly be easier if he did kill her – he would finish his contract and go back to Antiva and forget about all this. He could become what he once was - the feared assassin with many women and would never think of such a thing as...love.

"Of course, I would need to be dead first." He heard her soft voice and realised that she was looking at him.

"And I'm not about to let that happen!" he said, unable to stop himself.

"What? You've gone soft!" He heard Taliesen say.

This was his final test, to prove his loyalty to her. He wanted to stay by her side. Crows be damned. He looked at the man and said. "I'm sorry, my old friend. But the answer is no, I'm not coming back. And you should have stayed in Antiva."

--

Covered in blood, Diana walked over to Zevran, who was sitting next to the body of his former friend. She put her hand on his shoulder.

He looked at her. "And there it is. Taliesen is dead, and I'm free of the Crows. They will assume that I died with him. As long as I don't make my presence known to them."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, I am free, with options where I used to have none. I could leave, far away where the Crows could never find me."

Her heart started to beat a little harder, she didn't want him to leave, but wouldn't stop him if that was going to be his choice.

He must have seen her look, since he chuckled took her hands into his. "I think however I will stay. Stopping the Blight seems like worthwhile task to see to the end, no?"

She felt relieved and before stopping her loud mouth. "You'd better not leave, I would be sorely put out!"

He smiled his seductive smile at her. "Well, we can't have that, can we? Let us return to the task at hand, no?"

Diana felt glad. "Zev."

"...?"

"I'm happy you are staying with me."

"So am I, my dear Warden."