Samael was sitting on his usual spot in the docks. The mabari intended to guzzle some water, but spluttered it out after realizing it was salty. Samael smiled faintly at his snorting and rubbing his paw over the muzzle. Charon strolled to his Master and plopped down next to him.
"It's the full moon tomorrow," Samael whispered to himself while observing the ink sky and the veiled stars and stroking the warm silver fur absently.
Three weeks had passed since his masquerade ball. It turned out well considering Samael's business; Raen seemed to buy his explanation regarding that unfortunate attack at his sister and Hawke made new, well, not friends, but certainly some valuable acquaintances. About Merrill… yeah… that had definitely spun out of control. That was why he tended to his business during the day and sat on the docks steps during those shortening nights, when the spring breeze was coming from sea and nothing made sense anymore.
As much as it was humiliating, Samael ordered Bodahn to keep an eye on her, so he knew about the continuing Fawn's late night visits in her room, sometimes Merrill disappeared for hours, once she was gone for two days along with her fellow elf. Bodahn hadn't leave out his opinion that Merrill now reminded him of a ghost flowing through the Hawke estate, not eating, not talking, barely sleeping.
Samael sighed and read finally the message from the Viscount. He kept it in his pocket for two days now, unable to look at it, awaiting nothing but troubles. And here we go–troubles marching right towards the assassin–an arranged meeting with the Arishok where Hawke was supposed to take care of whatever that giant horn-head wished. Samael frowned, crumpling the parchment in one fist and tossing it into the water. It danced on the surface for a minute before a mild wave sank it.
"So you are here again… human." That hoarse deep voice would have normally made the assassin jump up on his feet, probably with some silly dagger in his hand, but not this time. He felt worn out and depressed. Not that he would like to die in the filthy docks just because some thug liked his coat, but he wasn't keen on living either right now. There was silence when the stranger obviously hadn't moved, but Samael felt his gaze on the back of his neck. He tilted his head backwards and jumped up when he saw that the huge figure was standing silently right above him.
"Who are you?" Samael breathed out, realizing the stranger was blocking the potential escape routes.
"I am… Qunari," the giant replied.
"I can see that," Samael's eyes narrowed in suspicion and he glanced around, searching for more of these creatures. The two of them were alone as far as he could tell. He collapsed back on his step; Charon grinned at the Qunari and tried to smell him, but was kicked aside. The mabari whined in pain, then bristled, ready for a retaliation. Samael just rolled his eyes, catching the mabari's collar to prevent an unnecessary fight.
"Kick him again and I'll cut you down on the spot," he growled, glaring at the confused Qunari.
"He tried to—"
"Sniff you, you oaf, nothing more!" Samael let Charon go; he sat down with pride next to his Master, watching the Qunari with a vulture expression.
"Do humans do that as well?" The Qunari seemed genuinely intrigued as he casually sat down next to the assassin. Samael had the chance to take a look at him, but he seemed just like any ordinary Qunari from their compound. Huge, muscular, grey skin, bare chest, horns of course, tight leather breeches, red paint on his torso and lifeless eyes sunken in the dark eye sockets.
"Humans usually fuck each other," Samael snarled with a bitter undertone. It wasn't hard to guess of whom he was thinking about right now.
"Fuck?" The Qunari wasn't familiar with this word.
"Forget it," Samael sighed. They fell silent, then the Qunari noticed the katana in plain leather sheath. He glanced at the human in mute question and Samael just waved his hand like the Qunari was allowed to satiate his curiosity. The fish-like eyes of the Qunari widened when the blade flashed in the moonlight and he observed the runes on the steel.
"This is a blade of my fathers, human. You shouldn't wield it. Give it to me and I will make sure it would come to its rightful master." The Qunari barely finished his mumbling when the katana was ripped out of his grasp, pointing at his throat.
"Go ahead and try to take it, Qunari!" The assassin hissed, realizing the standing up giant was unarmed.
"I am not able to fight you, human. You are not a Basalit-an." The Qunari folded his brawny arms on the chest, his eyes still fixed at the exquisite weapon and he didn't seem concerned about the proximity of lethally sharp steel.
"What is this Basalit-an?" What could he say? Samael was curious too.
"Do not use words you do no understand." The giant grunted and four more Qunari emerged from the darkness around them.
"Friends of yours?" Samael smirked, but his heart skipped a beat, when he observed all five motionless warriors from Seheron.
"Do not use words I do not understand," the Qunari gave him one last strange glance before they vanished.
oOo
"I'm Hawke. Let me pass for I have a meeting with the Arishok," Samael said in a rather hostile voice.
Varric nudged him in the ribs, whispering to the fierce assassin, "Sheesh, Hawke, keep your attitude in check or we will get killed before we even start."
The Qunari observed the motley group in front of him; a tall human, naked mistrust staring at him from the amber eyes, a jovial dwarf with a huge crossbow, and two elves, everybody well armed.
"You are allowed to enter, Basra. For now." The Qunari pulled a face at them and opened a creaking gate.
"So does anyone else feel like we're walking into a trap? Just me? Good to know…" Varric mumbled, obviously anxious.
"Keep going, dwarf, I can't do this alone." Samael growled back, but he felt uneasy as well, exploring the bleak and dark Qunari camp.
"We never go anyplace nice, do we…" Samael whispered to Fenris and he laughed despite the choking atmosphere that surrounded them.
They halted in front of something what looked like a massive pagan throne made of wood and onyx, a huge Qunari dressed in fierce armor, his horns adorned with golden ribbons, was lounging in it. The Arishok.
"Arishok ost. Araas shokra, anaan essam qun." They all turned to Fenris, surprised at his quiet words, and even more surprised, when the Arishok actually replied.
"The Qun from an elf? The madness of this… place." He snorted and the astonished Samael recognized the voice as the one he had heard yesterday in the docks.
"Impressive," Samael scowled at his brother. "Should I be jealous?"
"The day I make you jealous would be my lucky day," Fenris retorted, reminding him of the brothel visit two days ago which had led to yet another quarrel between them. Samael just rolled his eyes, putting an innocent expression on his face.
"I understand that buffoon of a Viscount sent you here, Hawke." This time the Arishok addressed the assassin directly and even if he had recognized him as well, Samael was sure he wouldn't show that openly.
"Yes." Samael considered this as a wise reply, since his diplomatic abilities were practically non-existent. What could possibly go wrong with one curt 'yes', right? Right.
The silence became uncomfortable, since the Arishok was scanning the motionless Hawke, the rest of Qunari were scattered around them, glaring at them, Varric was fidgeting, Fenris was watching Samael and Fawn wasn't aware of caressing the hilt of his sword while observing the Arishok. He obviously felt the same tension just like the rest of them.
"You will prove yourself, Basra, by taking this proposal to the Tal-Vashoth at the Wounded Coast. They are free to return if they resubmit to the Qun. Then you will return to me with their… reply." The Arishok's eyes flashed with a malicious fire and Samael was halfway persuaded he really should have stayed out of this Qunari problem. He would deal with the Viscount's threats somehow, he was sure of that. Alas, it seemed it was too late to cry over spilled milk.
"Sounds easy enough," Samael played the Qunari's game, bowing to him. "Out of pure curiosity… What would happen to them if they accept your offer?"
"They would all die." Surprisingly the answer came from Fenris, not the Arishok. Samael turned to him, knocked out of balance with this simple statement.
"That is… not your concern, human. Do as you have been told." The Arishok interrupted, seeing the Hawke wasn't comfortable with this revelation. Samael gulped down a witty reply and the other prodding questions he had; there would be no point in digging deeper in this mess anyway. He turned around and left the compound without a word.
oOo
"You've got to be shitting me, Hawke! No way I'm going to push my luck any further with those Qunari freaks and neither should you!" Varric was pacing around the fireplace back in the Hawke estate, stopped by the table, gulped down a snifter of brandy and continued his nervous activity.
"So you're ditching me? Now when I need you the most, Varric?" said Samael. Merrill walked cautiously in the hall, attracted by Samael's raised voice. She observed the calm Fawn, Fenris leaning on the fireplace ledge, Aveline rubbing her temples with palms and the other two, arguing.
"Not everything is about you, Hawke!" It was the first time when they saw Varric so upset. "You should have known better than to get into this Qunari mess in the first place! I'm telling you this would bring only troubles!" Varric was losing it.
"Tell me something I don't know! So now what?" Samael stalked to him, his short temper exploding. "You've got like a monopoly of common sense now? Or you're just scared shitless, dwarf?" Samael regretted his words right after he had said them, but it was too late. Varric just shook his head, gritted his teeth and granted the fuming assassin a serious glance.
"Come to me when you cool off, Hawke. You know… to apologize." Varric stormed out of the estate, not looking back.
"Great," Samael sighed and keeled over in the armchair, covering his eyes with a palm. The silence that followed was cut by Aveline.
"You know I can't get involved in this, Samael. As the Captain of the City Guard…" Her voice was quiet, but solid. "The Viscount would have my head on a silver plate by tomorrow morning." Samael just snorted at her words, like he wasn't expecting anything else from her. She nodded at the rest of them and left as well. Samael felt exhausted and double-crossed; everybody always expected him to help with whatever they needed, but now, when he was in need of help, Isabela, Anders, Aveline and even Varric turned their backs at him.
"When do we hit the road, Samael?" The assassin looked up at Fenris' velvet voice, a faint smile tweaking his lips. Their eyes met and there was no need to say anything else. Fenris left to get his stuff, squeezing his shoulder briefly.
"Fawn, do you think you could use a little walk today as well?" Samael turned casually at the addressed elf who scowled in return, silent, rubbing his chin, meditating.
"Last time I had this little walk with you, a bunch of strangers tried to kill me, Hawke," Fawn finally replied and Samael was contemplating a proper venomous answer, when Fawn continued. "When are we leaving?"
Samael bowed in gratitude, whispering, "In an hour or so." Fawn just nodded and left to make preparations, realizing Merrill and Samael would stay alone in one room, something which he had tried to prevent lately – succesfully.
Merrill stood by the fireplace, staring at the dancing flames, impassive to what was going on. Oh, she had heard well Samael was going somewhere again, she just seized her attempts to join him or interact with him in any way.
Come on, you coward, just ask her. Maker, could she be any thinner than this? But this, whatever this coexistence with her is, this can't go on. It's killing me… And obviously I'm not the only one. Just ask her already…
Merrill shivered despite the heat emanating from the fireplace when she felt him right behind her. She had a hard time to conceal her surprise the assassin hadn't left the room immediately with the others.
"Care to… come along?" Samael kicked himself for this clumsy inquiry, wondering what the hell he was trying to do anyway.
"Why?" Was her terse, inanimate reply. She turned slowly around to face him, yet her eyes were fixed on his chest. Samael felt his heartbeat in the throat, but he had no reply for that simple question.
"Forgive me." Those whispered words slipped out of his mouth before he could think them through. Forgiving him what exactly anyway? That he was unable to forgive himself? That he jerked her around, then screwed her and left her there, crying and helpless? Now that was unforgivable, but Merrill caught his arm before he could run away from her, from himself, from his silly question.
"Let me get my gear," she whispered back and left the hall. He stood by the fireplace alone, wondering about the deepest hole he could bury himself in.
oOo
"Shut the fuck up, you two!" Samael couldn't bear it anymore; he whirled around and annihilate those two insufferable elves with a scorching glare. Fenris and Fawn were regaling each other with venomous remarks and prickly questions for two hours now. The rogue led the group, followed closely by Merrill, and Charon was chasing the strange smells on the coast. The mabari had never been here before and was thoroughly enjoying it.
Fawn narrowed his eyes at Samael's harsh rebuke and Fenris was about to counter with some petulant answer when Samael stopped the group with a raised hand. Merrill, who wasn't paying attention, having issues to decide if that cloud was a bunny-shape or more like a dragon-shape, bumped right into him. Samael just rolled his eyes, steadying her after the collision, and their eyes met for a second.
"We're close," Samael whispered and a thrown Qunari spear was jabbed right in front of his feet as an answer.
"This is Tal-Vashoth territory! State your business here, human!" A hidden voice cried out.
"Show yourself first, then we talk, Qunari." Samael yelled in reply, tightening the grip on the katana hilt, leaving it sheathed for now. Three Qunari came out of the hideout, one of them stepping forward.
"I am not… Qunari." He growled, observing them in suspicion. Samael noticed he was examining Merrill longer than the rest of them.
"Yeah, whatever," Samael countered, taking one step closer. "Your Arishok asked me in his own charming way to tell you you're free to return to the compound, so consider yourself informed about this offer and farewell." Fenris chuckled from the brash speech, Fawn repositioned himself by Merrill's side just in case something should go wrong, Charon wasn't anywhere near them and Merrill wriggled under the Tal-Vashoth's scrutiny.
"I have no Arishok, human. And your life is forfeit because of doing his bidding. Prepare to die." Samael blinked at those calm and casual words, frantically trying to understand what had just happened.
"I have no quarrell with you, Qun-, Tal-Vashoth. Yet you wish to attack me." It was not a question and Samael considered his words carefully this time. If there was a way to avoid this confrontation, he would go for it and try to reason with that brute. But it seemed the horn-heads were done talking since they all pulled out their spears or swords, encircling them.
"Vinek kathas." The Tal-Vashoth leader spoke to his henchmen before ending up with Samael's throwing knife stuck in his throat. They all roared at the sight of their falling speaker and Fawn let out a pulse of bright light, granting them a moment for breaking the circle. Fenris scythed the nearest three giants, letting out an ardent war cry. Merrill slipped out of the circle, hitting an enemy standing in her way with a huge rock straight into his chest. Fawn and Samael fought back-to-back with the swarming enemies.
After ten minutes of fierce combat Samael was tired, observing the endless rows of Tal-Vashoth in dismay. He saw Fenris was reaching for his strenght reserves as well, trying to keep the enemies away with powerful swings of his greatsword and he did well so far, but it was obvious he couldn't keep this up much longer. It was then when Samael was hit with the electric bolt and tumbled down, squirming in pain in the sand, his heart racing. Fawn whirled around, wildly deflecting the enemies who were about to rip the human leader apart.
"Cut.. down… that… Saarebas!" Samael managed to groan between his gritted teeth, but there was no need since Fenris cut the Qunari mage's head off in one fluid and precise move at that moment.
"Get out of my way, princellet," Fenris snarled at Fawn, when he shoved him out of his way and pulled the panting rogue up on his feet. A choked woman's scream ripped the salty air and Samael glimpsed Merrill collapsing down in the circle of enemies. He started to cut his way to the spot where he had seen her, but it was desperately slow. Furthermore there was yet another bunch of Tal-Vashoth emerging out of the cave, yelling in anger at the sight of their slaughtered brethren. Fawn rushed to keep them away of the recovering Samael and Fenris fighting by the assassin's side. A familiar silver fur dashed by them and Samael grinned.
"Where have you been, you mangy tramp?" He cried out, slashing the throat of yet another enemy.
When the rogue glanced behind him after a minute he was captured by the scene. Fawn, surrounded by eight giants, fought in despair for his life by the cave, then he flared in bright white light and the armor slumped down, empty. An eagle rose from the circle of the astounded Tal-Vashoths, but one of them was nimble enough to stick the bird with his spear. The beautiful eagle crashed with a blood-freezing cry, disappearing over the reef edge.
"Samael!" Fenris' cry jerked the assassin from his consternation; he whirled around to see yet another peculiar scene. A figure enveloped in bright red light was ascending above the giants' heads. The blood strings were snaking around the figure and every enemy touched by them shrieked in pain, collapsing on knees.
"NOOOO!" Samael shouted, struggling through the grey bodies. Merrill. Blood magic. She would turn on him. Again. The assassin was viciously cutting a narrow corridor through the Tal-Vashoth towards her when Merrill opened her eyes at the familiar voice. His voice. But his screaming echoed in her mind only a little. He froze on the spot when their gazes met; his amber eyes widened in fear, her calm red clefts. She smiled at him mischeviously and it chilled his very core. Her staff was raying a blinding purple light.
Merrill cried out, tilting her head back, facing the darkening sky. She unleashed an immense pulse of crimson light, exterminating everything alive around her. The wave of lightning, dust and screams devoured Samael as he hit the ground and the darkness took him.
oOo
He must have been out only for a minute since the dust and sand were still whirling in the air when he reopened the eyes, coughing and squinting around. To his relieve, Fenris was swearing right next to him, pushing the dead Tal-Vashoth off him, murmuring something about the stinky carcass.
Samael shook his head and spotted the slender standing silhouette in the middle of this chaos. He climbed up on his feet, fumbling for the blade hidden in the sleeve since the katana was Maker knows where. He approached her cautiously and she watched him, serene, motionless, with her dark red eyes.
"Merrill…?" His voice was trembling. He was convinced she would attack him any second, but she didn't move, allowing him to come near her. When he stood right in front of her, a blade between them, Merrill closed her eyes and lowered her head for ten seconds in focus. When she straightened it up, the mossy green eyes were blinking at Samael again, then staring in shock at the blade pointed right at her heart, ready, just to push it inside.
They gaped at each other for a minute, wordlessly, before Merrill finally whispered, "I would never ever hurt you again." Her quiet bleeding words cut right through him. He awakened from the trance when Fenris spitted at the corpse behind his back, ripping his weapon out of it.
Samael let his hand holding a blade fall down and wiped away a blood rivulet that flowed from a cut above his left eyebrow.
"Where's that fucking bird…" he murmured to himself and turned around, leaving the baffled Merrill standing there.
"You mean that fucking dick, right?" Fenris scowled at him. "He tried to flee the battlefield if I saw that right. He would let us rot here, so why should we care now?" Fenris stood intentionally in the assassin's way.
"What? What is happening?" Merrill marched to them. "Where's Fawn?" She asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer. Samael noticed how deeply she cared for the missing elf and a flash of jealousy ran across his face.
"He shifted into a freaking eagle and tried to fly away, but some Tal-Vashoth managed to hurt the bird. I know nothing more." He slowly replied, not looking at her. Merrill ran to the edge of a reef and there he was: his naked body coated in blood, hanging just above the chasm.
"Fawn!" Merrill cried, trying to drag him to the safety. She looked up in surprise, when a pair of hands emerged next to hers, helping her with her efforts.
"I really have no clue why do you bother, Samael," Fenris snorted, watching them with the arms folded on chest.
"Are you going to stand there forever or will you help me, Fenris?" Samael raised an eyebrow, observing if the elf would listen to his indirect order. To his relief, Fenris rolled his eyes but started to make a primitive stretcher out of the Qunari spears and leather folded by the cave. Samael smiled at him and Fenris scoffed in reply, "What? You don't expect me to sleep among these filthy bung creatures, do you?"
Once Fawn was dressed and attached to the stretcher, they left the battlefield and trudged throught the coast, the path was meandering like a pierced snake, until they reached a place suitable for a camp; covered with the rocks on right and an old holey ship on left. There was an old breakwater protecting the seashore. Fenris dropped his side of the stretcher and collapsed in the sand, panting. Merrill gave him a venomous glance for treating Fawn in this disrespectful way.
Samael lay his stretcher side gently down, inhaling deeply of the fresh air; it smelled of sea, salt and corroded iron. He collapsed right next to the elf, feeling dizzy and spent. But no rest for the wicked, right?
"Fenris, the wood for a fire. Merrill, the bedrolls." He rasped and dragged himself up to set up a few traps to protect them in the night. They went to fulfill their orders without words and soon they all sat around a droning fire. Merrill healed what she could on Fawn's body but he hadn't woken up yet; Fenris was cleaning his weapon, complaining about a fresh dent on it and Samael left the camp, claiming he would explore the surroundings.
Fenris glanced at Merrill who was fidgeting until she jumped up, trying to gaze into the darkness around them, obviously searching for Samael. She let out a sigh of relief when she found him roaming along the shore, not far from them. She knew he was injured as well and she intended to use it as a pretext of approaching him.
"Let me see the wound, Samael." The assassin twitched at her voice which had caught him off guard; another proof how wrecked he felt. They sat down into still warm sand.
"Where does it hurt? I can't see in the dark," she whispered. Hesitant, Samael placed her hand on the cut on his head, hissing in pain and shuddering when she brushed it with her fingers.
"Stop squirming," Merrill breathed out and healed the wound in no time. She noticed that the assassin was watching her in the dim green light of her healing magic.
"What happened up there?" Samael couldn't help himself and asked about her newest stunt when she was overwhelmed by the Tal-Vashoths.
"You saw it." Merrill shrugged, but she knew it was a poor reply. "I resorted to blood magic when I believed I have no other choice. But I wouldn't turn on you, Samael." Merrill assured him, squeezing his arm in urgency. "You… you do believe me. Don't you?" Her quiet unanswered question was washed away by the waves dying at the shore and turning into foam.
Just when she thought he wouldn't reply at all, a whispered, "Do I?" reached her ears. They both fell silent again and Merrill snuggled by his side, relieved when he didn't object.
"Let's go back. We need a rest." Samael whispered after a while and the half-asleep Merrill just nodded, letting him to carry her back to the fire. Fenris was already asleep, Fawn was still out and Charon was snoring, sprawled on his back.
"I bet… people would come here more often… if they called it… the Happy Coast." She mumbled, drifting off.
"Sleep, little pariah." Samael watched her falling asleep, covering her with a thin blanket. He keeled over in the last empty bedroll, but it took him an hour before the whirling thoughts in his head became blurry and he was able to sleep as well. The last thought he had was about one horn-headed ass that needed to be kicked for sending them into an ambush.