When Nero woke up he found himself trembling. These cursed nightmares, will they never stop plaguing me? He suppressed the memory of Denarius' hands as the magister took him and tried not to think about how that first trip to Minrathous crushed his innocence and introduced him to the truth of the world he was made for.

He had won the fight that was arranged to showcase his skills, despite the emotional state he was in at the time. He did not let his makers down, but it was not enough.

"That's it?" The Archon had sneered, "I could just teach a mage to use daggers and get the same result." he rubbed his hand over his face, "However, this is impressive for a first test, but I expect better from your next creation."

And so Nero was rejected, but he was still considered the Archon's property. Esperance had convinced the leader that the full range of Nero's more magical abilities was not yet known and he might find a use for the slave in the future. The Archon told her to keep him ready, in the event that trouble with the Templars arose.

Before Nero left Minrathous with his makers he was branded with the Archon's crest and officially put in the 'care' of Esperance until further notice. He was beaten for the inadequacy of his performance and returned to the Arlathan forest. After several weeks in Denarius' company Nero was more than grateful to be back.

But things did not go back to how they were before they had left.

Nero's existence was well known by then, and suddenly his makers had visitors, and Nero was put on display. He acted as a guard while the magisters conversed over tea, standing still next to the door for hours on end. But this lasted barely more than a couple of months before the requests started. As Denarius had said, Nero was beautiful, and many of the magisters wanted to 'try' him. Their requests were not denied and Nero was sent to...entertain them in the guest quarters, whether they were young, old, fat, thin, single, married. Nero could be purchased by anybody.

At first he fought it, but over time he grew compliant. And when he became compliant and did as he was told the lonely magisters came to the edge of the forest to see him rather frequently. Nero forced himself to view this task differently, and eventually he convinced himself to take as much enjoyment out of it as he could. The act itself was gratifying in some cases, and he shut himself down when he was subject to things that were not pleasant.

The Tevinter Imperium was large, and Nero was rather popular. He was the Archon's property after all, and many took their frustrations with him out on his slave. However, from the conversations Nero overheard he gathered that his new role was a poorly kept secret, but he was not openly discussed, especially not in Minrathous. Nero was not surprised, many of his clients were married and none would openly admit to others that they would degrade themselves to sleeping with something that wasn't even natural-born.

Nero's other lessons continued as well, with an emphasis on his 'magical' abilities. His days were busy and it wasn't until he escaped and had plenty of time to think that he was grateful for not having the time then.

Nero shook his head, it is too early to think of these things. He got out of bed and got dressed. By the void, I think I may miss some of the magisters, it has been so long since I have had that release.

...

A couple of weeks passed before Hawke heard anything of Nero's hunters. During that time Nero never left the mansion and kept to himself unless called upon. He saw Hawke every few days when he brought Nero food; Hawke knew that Fenris and Nero had not spoken to each other and Nero could not purchase his own food without risk being found. Nero only knew Fenris was still alive because he heard the elf walk by his room every night to get to the wine cellar.

Anders visited Nero a couple of times as well, to make sure he was getting his strength back, which he was, thank the maker. But Nero's most frequent visitor was Isabela, every second night she showed up with a bottle of whisky and some cards. Their card games rarely got very far though, Nero often caught her cheating and they usually ended up drinking as she told stories of her life on the sea. She often asked things about Nero's past but he did not divulge much, they were his memories and he wanted to keep them that way.

When he was in her company he felt parts of his training coming through despite never having made use of it. The art of seduction was not necessary when one did not have a choice in when and who purchased him. This, coupled with Nero's desire for intimacy, had growing very fond of the pirates company a lot sooner than he expected of himself.

Isabela also told Nero about a few of the jobs she had been on with Hawke, and mentioned an Aveline and a Bethany.

"Aveline is Captain of the Guard in this fine city of ours, she's a mannish, awkward, ball-crushing do-gooder." Isabela informed him.

Nero smirked, "harsh, what of this Bethany?"

She laughed, "she's Hawke's sister, she's adorable and so very innocent. And so much fun to tease."

Usually Isabela didn't bother knocking on Nero's door, she let herself in and made herself at home. It didn't bother him very much, but it left him to make an ass of himself the first time she did knock.

Expecting it to be Hawke calling he had opened the door and grabbed her hand in a firm grip. Then he laughed "Sorry, I tend to greet Hawke with a handshake, so far he is the only one that waits for me to open the door for him."

She smirked at Nero as she leaned against the door frame, crossing her arms. Luckily he was already practiced in not staring at her breasts, but it was always difficult. "Hmm..." she purred, "strong hands. Could I entice you to join me when I get a ship as one of my crewmen? I could use those strong hands at my... helm."

Nero smirked back "I get the feeling that that is not the only place you could use my hands."

She laughed and brushed against him as she stepped into the room and threw herself on his bed. "Hmm, I have determined that this is a lot more comfortable than the beds in the Hanged Man, I may have to start staying the night."

"Feel free, my bed is always open to you, Captain." She giggled, Nero had learned quickly that she adored the title and missed hearing it. He chuckled, "I agree it is a damned comfortable bed, but of course I have spent the last couple of years sleeping on the ground...or in trees every now and again, come to think of it."

"Trees?"

Nero chuckled again as he closed the door and sat on a chair by the fire, "generally when people are trekking through the woods looking for someone they are too busy looking for a trail to follow on the ground to look up."

"Good point... speaking of said people..." She trailed off and looked away.

Nero's stomach dropped, "what?"

"Varric has gotten wind of a small group of people looking for an elf with purple eyes. A couple of Tevinter mages and a few armored fools."

"Tempus," Nero fingered the hilt of his dagger, "Do you know where they are staying, or if anyone has told them anything?"

"No and no, Varric has lots of connections, we'll know more soon."

"Thank you for letting me know." he smiled halfheartedly.

"Aw, your welcome pumpkin. You are far too attractive to go to waste on some Tevinter prick." she rose from the bed and straddled Nero's lap. Suddenly the men chasing him slipped his mind, all the friendly interaction of the last few weeks had his brain very confused. Nero was used to being formal or being alone, now that he had pleasant company, that did not think less of him because of who he was, his personality began to show. He was a lot more outgoing and flirtatious than he had thought he was.

Instinctively Nero found his hands meeting on the small of her back.So she doesn't fall, he told himself, refusing to believe that he was so deprived, that the simple act of a woman sitting on his lap would get him going. Nero scrambled for a thought, he needed to say something, but he was finding it difficult to think.

"Pumpkin?' was what he decided on, with a raised eyebrow.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. "It's my favorite kind of pie, sweetling."

Nero leaned forward, sliding his hands down to cup her bottom as he nuzzled her neck and murmured "I do like pie."

Suddenly someone was banging on the door "Nero?" Hawke.

Nero stiffened and sighed, Isabela untangled herself from his lap and folded her arms across her chest after she plopped herself back onto the bed.

"Hawke, welcome." Nero said, opening the door and motioning for him to come into the room.

"Maker its dark in here, did you board up the window?"

"I figure if anyone is going to break into this room through the window at least it will be painfully obvious."

Hawke laughed, "I suppose it would. And my dear Isabela, what is this? Are you abandoning me? Am I to keep myself entertained?"

Isabela smirked, "of course not, I am simply broadening my net." she winked.

"I didn't know you could broaden it any more," he laughed again, "but that is not why I am here, our dear Varric has caught wind of where our dear Nero's pursuers are staying."

Nero tensed and his hands rested on the hilts of his daggers again. "Where?" he snarled.