The Ballad of Sin

by TheMadCat

An attempt to create and chronicle the lives of Leliana and her master Marjolaine during their time together as bards in Orlais and the political discord that allows for such an order to thrive. Rated M for violence and suggestive themes. Enjoy.

3. A Sirens Lullaby

Chapter Two

A Sirens Lullaby

The tavern had begun to empty as time continued to slip by, the candles around the room beginning burn out and the fires starting to dim creating nothing more than a faint glow within the tavern. Many of the patrons had left; most of the men drunk, groping and fondling their ladies of the evening as they giggled and smiled in amusement at the affectionate acts. A few of the men decided to take their woman upstairs for whatever reason, perhaps they had no desire to wait or they simply knew their wives sat in their lavish homes and estates impatiently waiting for their return. A few of the unlucky men stopped by the table Rémonn and Leliana shared, taking a seat besides her and acting as if he wasn't there. The men would smile and talk to her in their native tongue no doubt trying to understand why she would take the company of 'that' and every time she politely refused their offers of company and grace.

Leliana was an oddity in Rémonn's eyes. Beautiful and charismatic and while those traits weren't unique with the women who occupied this establishment she was the only one who did not view him with complete abhorrence. Why this was the case sparked both caution and intrigue. He had heard the tales; stories of beautiful women who would charm and lure men into a state of seduction and render them helpless as they set forth with their devious tasks. The Bards of Orlais; assassins, spies, and saboteurs. Rémonn had heard the tales many times but fact and fiction from stories told around a barrel of ale are often meshed together for the sake of entertainment or simply out of ignorance. He eyed her carefully, judged her movements and actions but he could not find anything that would give her away. He posed various questions yet he always found himself delivering the answers. Rémonn wanted to believe she was who she appeared to be, perhaps that was where the real success of the bard truly lay. 'How could this have possibly been set up, I picked her out of the crowd. Could all of these women be Bards? Would Gautier go to such lengths and pay such an expense?' All were questions that raced through his mind as they talked and laughed the night away.

"It is late," Leliana suddenly spoke with her tender voice. "I should be going." Slowly she rose, smiled, and bowed. "It has been both an honor and pleasure."

Rémonn curiously watched her as she stood tall and still for a time, no doubt waiting for a farewell. He had nothing to give her however and gracefully she made her way towards the door and then stepped out into the darkness. Silently he sat there alone, his fingers tapping the table at a rapid pace as he tried to suppress his desires with reason. 'Let her go, not worth the risk.' It did no good in the end, soon he found himself walking towards the door as regret already began to seep in.

Rémonn took a step out into the dark streets of Val Royeaux and immediately began looking around, directly to his right a burly man donned in a burgundy colored gambeson leaned back against the wall with his arms tightly crossed over his chest. He eyed the man for a moment; taking note of the long sword sheathed at his side. But aside from a passing glance the man gave nothing in return.

The street ran parallel with the front of the tavern; small shops, inns, and taverns all built with bright colored bricks running along both sides of the cobblestone road, most closed down for the night but a glow could still be seen through a few windows and the faint sound of instruments and cheerful, drunken song could be heard across the cool breeze. Lamp posts dotted along the edges of the street giving the city it's only real source of light on this moonless night. Rémonn continued searching the streets, eventually catching sight of a lone silhouette walking away. Without hesitation he took off and ran her down under the glow of one of the lamp poles, heeding the inquisitive look she gave him. "That was awful rude, just getting up and leaving like that," he uttered as he stood tall, catching his breath.

Leliana grinned. "Oh? From the looks you were giving me I thought I was starting to bore you."

"You? Never. Some of your friends that decided to come and try to sweep you off your feet did get a little tiresome, but certainly not you."

"They did not mean you any disrespect."

Rémonn laughed. "Of course not, It's just that I have yet to accept the Orlesian tradition of spitting and cursing at every guest and foreigner that steps foot in your friendly lands." The laugh died away quickly as he met her eyes. "The least you could do is allow me to take you home, or wherever you are going for the night."

"And why would you want to do that?"

"You know, walk with the lady, keep her safe. Chivalry and all that."

Leliana giggled. "Oh, so you are a gentleman now, is that it. Tell me than my chivalrous friend, what is it I need protecting from?"

"I'm sure there are many men in Val Royeaux who would not think twice about trying to take advantage of a vulnerable woman such as yourself."

"And you see me as vulnerable? A helpless little girl incapable of defending herself?"

"You are a minstrel, not a profession where one would be considered skillful if the arts of combat and self defense."

Leliana smiled, "It is not wise to judge one from the outside."

"Oh? So is there more to you then meets the eyes?" Rémonn asked intriguingly.

"Well, unless you are one of the many men who would not think twice about taking advantage of a vulnerable woman such as myself I am not sure you will get have the opportunity to find out," Leliana paused a moment. "Besides you never even said goodbye. You just let me walk away without a word and now you are concerned with my safety?"

"Why say goodbye when I knew the night was not over for us," Rémonn replied with a smile.

"Is that what you think?" Leliana responded with a smile of her own. "Well unless you plan on spending the night at Lord Gautier's estate with me I am not quite sure how much more you are expecting."

Rémonn's expression quickly dimmed. "Gautier? You are staying with him?"

"Well no, not exactly," Leliana sighed. "I do not live here in Val Royeaux, I was hoping he would lend me a room for the night but he left in such a hurry I never had a chance to ask him."

"I don't understand, what are you doing here then?" Suspicion and fear were slowly creeping back into Rémonn's mind. Casually he began glancing around at the shadows, searching for something he knew didn't exist.

"This is Val Royeaux, what better place is there in Orlais for a minstrel to find work? As I said earlier my mistress asked me to come to the..." Leliana stopped as she noted his uneasiness and gently placed a hand on his rough cheek. "Are you all right? You seem worried."

"Fine, fine," he muttered as he felt her soft hand gently caress his face, his eyes once again meeting hers. "I just, thought of something is all." That charm and smile seemed to erode away the doubt and suspicion that plagued his mind.

"I should go," Leliana took her hand off his face and began to slowly step away.

"Wait, no. I apologize," Rémonn said as he exhaled a deep breath. "A strange city, I am just a little nervous," he looked back over his shoulder, at what he didn't know but he felt the need to get Leliana out of his sight for a minute. "Listen. I do not know where Gautier's estate is but if you would like you can take my room. It is not pretty but it is a bed and only a short distance away."
"A kind offer, but I must reject. I cannot intrude and certainly do not want to be a bother to you or your companions," Leliana said as she turned back around.

"Well, how far is it to Gautier's estate?"

Leliana glanced to the side, wondering what it was Rémonn was staring at so intently. "Near the center of the city, most nobles hold houses there for when they are summoned or are simply visiting Val Royeaux."

"That sounds like quite a long walk to take so late at night. And you don't know weather he will be able to take you in?"

"I do not see why he would turn me away, but no I do not know for certain."

Rémonn turned back around and smiled as he extended his hand towards her. "Well I promise you two things, it is closer and you will not be turned away. Either choice you make though I will see you safe for the night."

Leliana smiled and looked down at a pool of light surrounding her feet. "I cannot."

"We have slept on the ground out in the wilderness for the last three months. You will not be a bother if that is what you are worried about."

"And you would trust a complete stranger?"

Rémonn eyed her carefully as she finally brought herself to look upon him once more. "Should I have a reason not to trust you?" he waited for her to respond but nothing came about. "So far you are one the few Orlesians who has yet to stare at me as if I was an abomination or King Maric himself. So I assume if I have not been run through or strung up yet my chances of surviving the night are as good as they could be, even with such a complete though quite divine stranger in my company."

Leliana slowly took his hand, enwrapping her arms around his as she looked up at him with a simpered expression. "You are quite the charmer, especially for one from Fereldan," she retorted in a jestful tone. "Though you may not know Orlais and Val Royeaux as well as you think."

"I know I would rather not stay any longer then I have to. It is not a place for one such as myself to come for a casual visit." Rémonn delicately pulled his arm away from her, he wasn't quite ready to give her his full trust yet. It was partly why he wanted her to come with him; he wanted more time to judge her, to see if she was who she truly said she was or if this was indeed some insidious plot laid out by Gautier or some other Orlesian noble who he looked at the wrong way. But the other reason he wanted her to come along was simple lust and he could see in her eyes that she knew, surely it wasn't an uncommon occurrence for a man to desire her. "Shall we go?" Leliana said nothing, simply gesturing with her hand for him to lead on and Rémonn quietly obliged. He looked back towards the tavern, the burly man still standing there against the wall, paying them little mind. Off to his right a ways from the center of the city, two campaniles rising high above the city stood tall and proud, inside each a large brazier shined brighter than strongest stars in the sky, the illuminating blaze possessing a hypnotic quality that seemed to calm his mind and soul.

"On a moonless night such as tonight you can see the fires of the Grand Cathedral from miles away," Leliana said softly.

"I remember seeing them far off on my way here. I had no idea what they were, it looked as if parts of city were burning." Rémonn replied as he recalled the eery sight.

"Have you been to the Grand Cathedral?"

"No, not yet anyways. Tomorrow Gautier asked for me to meet him there to finish a little business arrangement we have." Rémonn looked down at Leliana who was now pacing with him directly on his left. "Have you?"

"A few times. I try to go when opportunity allows it. A very peaceful place, calm and fairly quiet. A good escape from the bustle of the city. I may go there myself tomorrow if time and business permits."

"Is that so? Perhaps we can go together than."

Leliana looked up at him trying to pass a smile but to no avail, instead her face bore a grim look and quickly she turned away before he had a chance to notice. "I would like that," she whispered softly.

Kirvar slammed his cards on the table and began to rub his temples in frustration. "You are a sodding cheater and I am going to gut you before the nights over."

Liam started to jump up and down, giving off a coarse laugh as he took the copper coins that sat between them on the cheap pine table. "Cheat. Ha! Finally got your number and the only thing goin' to get gutted tonight is that purse of yours," his thick accent making his words almost meld together.

Kirvar made a deep growling sound as he reassembled the deck. "Shut up and cut the deck. I want my coin back," he ordered as he looked up at Liam with a grimace. The lanky man had changed out of his silk and into a beige sackcloth shirt and and pants, now looking much more like the person he truly was.

"I cleaned you out," Liam said as he calmed himself down. "How you gonna bet with no coin now."

"I'll bet the sodding clothes I bought you."

"We all bought those, not yours to bet."

Kirvar rubbed his temples again. "Then go downstairs and buy me a tankard of ale or four. I need a drink."

"Rémonn ain't want us drinkin' anything from this place," Liam muttered cautiously.

"Do you see Rémonn here? No. And when Rémonn's not here, I am the boss," Kirvar spoke sternly as he jumped up from his chair.

"Who says?" Liam asked defiantly. "Why can't I be boss?"

"Because aside from cutting a purse you can't do a sodding thing right!" Kirvar drew his long sword and watched as Liam scampered back in fear, smiling and chuckling at his fear as he returned his sword to it's sheath. "I will make you a deal. Every copper you spend on me tonight I will repay you with a silver tomorrow. Deal?"

Liam regained his composure and stood himself up tall, full of pride as if nothing had happened. "Really? You ain't just playin' me for a fool again are you."

"You are the sodding cheater here, damned thief." Kirvar made a quick motion with his hand as if he was going to draw his sword again and watched Liam rush off, breaking into a hard laugh once the lanky man was out the door. "Fool," he muttered to himself as he walked over to the one window. He popped it open and looked around, a small dirt road laid directly below lined with various wooden buildings, it was hard to believe this was the same Val Royeaux he had walked through a few hours earlier. Kirvar made another glance around the streets and the top of the buildings then shut the window and bolted it up. He turned about and sighed as he sat back down in his chair, looking towards the far corner of the room. A small wooden lockbox nestled against the wall, inside was their treasure, their ticket to a small fortune and an easy life. Quickly he rose from his chair and snatched the tattered cloth blanket off the bed and tossed it over the box.

"Here is that ale you wanted," Liam muttered as he pushed the door open with his foot.

Kirvar watched him casually stroll in, two tankards gripped in each hand. "Rémonn down there?"

Liam set the ale down and shook his head. "Barkeep hadn't seen him come back neither. Think we should go lookin' for him?"

"What for. If he is alive he will come back, if he is dead then he is dead," Kirvar said as he walked towards the table.

"He has the key."

"What you think we have one key?" Kirvar said with a smirk as he picked up a tankard. "Don't tell me you think we are as dim as you."

"Where is it?" Liam asked curiously as he picked up a tankard of his own.

Kirvar chuckled. "Like I would tell you, damned thief." Quickly he downed the tankard and threw it to the side, his face shriveling up as he spat onto the floor. "Sodding hell that ale tastes like bronto piss," he muttered as he spat again

Liam watched him and laughed as he set the tankard down, deciding it would be in his best interest not to guzzle it down. "How would you know what bronto piss tastes like?"

"Go down to dust town in Orzammar and drink that swill they sell you down there, you can find out for yourself." Kirvar spat a third time and sat down at the edge of the rickety bed.

"How 'bout some more cards?" Liam asked. "You win I'll give you some of that coin back, I win you have to drink a tankard."

Kirvar thought a moment and then smiled. "Alright, cut and deal. I swear though if I catch you cheating again I'm going to cut your throat and toss your corpse into the alienage, give the elves here a decent meal for once."

The streets of Val Royeaux were mostly still and silent within the darkness of the moonless night. A few souls wandering the streets, mostly patrols of three or four men. An occasional civilian would be spotted as well, most appearing to be simple peasants returning home after a round at their favorite tavern. In the dark night Rémonn's origin and appearance was unidentifiable and for the first time in days he was able to walk the streets without so much as a glare or any other conspicuous look and it gave him a chance to admire the majestic city.

"Quite an amazing city, a shame I have yet to have the chance to really explore it," Rémonn spoke, breaking a lengthy silence between them. She had been quiet aside from an odd word or two, seemingly deep in some thought. "So have you ever been to Fereldan?"

"No," Leliana stated simply and quietly.

"Have you ever thought of going there?"

Leliana shrugged. "I would love to see the world, to travel the many lands of Thedas. I would love to bestow my knowledge, to sing songs and share stories and to learn new ones from the various nations and cultures."

"Well you are a minstrel, is that not what your sort does?"

Leliana smiled. "The lucky ones yes. Most of us are simply servants to the lords of Orlais, here to preform at their beckon."

"That is, strange," Rémonn uttered."You are servants?"

"Not in the literal sense of course. But as with everything else the lords have their favorites who they must have performing at every ball and gathering they host. So while they do not own us, we are still theirs to serve and it is best not to turn down a request from a nobleman."

"And do you serve many nobleman?"

"I suppose I do." Leliana replied bashfully. "There are many minstrels far better and more popular than myself. But I have become endeared by a few."

"So can you sing a song for me?"

Leliana looked up at him and started to giggle, her face going flush. "Here? No, I am far to shy to sing for just one person. A crowd I do not mind, but for one person it is just so embarrassing. With a crowd there is no particular person I am trying to impress, just a sea of faces most of which I will never meet so it does not bother me so much. But for an individual there is so much pressure, especially for one I am trying to impress and I always choke and flush and end up completely embarrassing myself."

Rémonn smiled as he felt her body prop up against his, her satin dress caressing his arm with each step they took. "A shame, I would love to see what makes you so popular with the nobility here."

"Well, you have seen part of it already," She replied in a hushed tone. "But I shall sing for you before the night is over, I promise."

The scenery around them began to quickly change after passing through a small checkpoint. From carefully crafted buildings of fine brick and stone separated by cobblestone streets to wooden shacks and earthen roads. Elegant light poles replaced by occasional lamps dangling on the porch of homely workshops and houses, the world surrounding them smothered by blackness. The smell of the sea was pungent here; the aromas of sweat, salt, and rotting fish replacing those of flowers and fresh grass.

Rémonn found himself constantly looking back over his shoulders since they had entered the docks district. The feeling of eyes peering upon them haunted him and every time he turned back a silhouette could be seen standing deep in the shadows. They were being followed and there was little that could be done about it now. Weather it was a common thug of the docks or something more sinister unleashed upon them he couldn't tell and was not willing to risk his neck to ask. Leliana, now coddled besides him under his arm, would take notice of his frantic glances and inquired about his uneasiness, abruptly he would always reply with ''It's nothing''. Eventually he stopped looking back all together, fearing whoever it was may become more aggressive if he felt his presence was known. Instead he focused on the path before him, on his right he could see towering walls with a wide dirt road sloped down towards a tunnel and gate that separated two sides. A couple of men stood outside the tunnel appearing to be some type of soldier which boded well for them, or so he hoped.

"I hate this place," Leliana muttered. "It has such a terrible smell."

"So you have been to the docks before?"

"Once. It was not a pleasant experience."

Rémonn laughed. "I bet." He released her from under his arm and took a few long strides towards a building to get ahead of her. "Here we are. Home sweet home, at least for the night." He opened the door and let Leliana walk in then followed suit close behind. Inside was a small tavern that stood between the door and the stairs to the rooms above, a few broken tables and chairs and a small bar with a couple of barrels of ale stocked behind. A pair of male elves stood behind the bar, one bearing a black eye and a busted nose and the other attending to his wounds. At the one good table sat three dark skinned men, sailors of some sort, each with a tankard in their hands eying Leliana as if she was the first woman they had seen in a lifetime. It was obvious they were silently sharing malevolent thoughts between themselves and Rémonn hovered his hand above where his dagger rested in his trousers.

"Look at this," one of them stammered as he rose from his chair, a lascivious look in his eyes.

Rémonn eyed the one who stood until he made a drunken lunge at Leliana. Quickly he pulled his dagger and situated himself between the man and his target, forcing the bewildered man to a halt. He began to eye Rémonn, no doubt trying to determine how much of a threat he actually posed. Rémonn however never gave him a chance to reach a conclusion, instead he swiftly grabbed the man by the collar of his beige cloth shirt and slammed him up against the wood wall, quickly placing the dagger firmly against the mans neck. He looked back over at the other two men who had jumped from their chairs but they stood there dismayed, then he looked back at the elves who seemed to be grinning in amusement. Rémonn returned his attention back to the man in his hand. He had a gangly and infirm appearance, his thin hair and beard showing signs of mange. Rémonn could see the fear in his dull brown eyes, smell it in his breath as he panted heavily. "Look at her funny and I will cut out your eyes, touch her and I will cut off your hands, speak a word and I'll cut out your tongue. Do we have an understanding?" he whispered harshly in the mans ear, watching him nod and then pushed him in the direction of his friends. He took a turn pointing his dagger at each of them and grinned before turning back around. Leliana seemed more amused than anything by the events as she quietly turned back around and made her way up the stairs, perhaps these occurrences weren't as foreign to her as he had thought. Then Rémonn glanced over at the elves who nodded approvingly before going back attending the ones wounds. Finally he took another glance at the three men who had slumped back down into their chairs, licking their wounds and stitching their pride.

Both Kirvar and Liam threw down their cards and jumped from their chairs as a loud noise came about from downstairs. Kirvar drew his sword and focused intently on the door, positioning himself along the wall. Liam rushed to the corner where he had set down his gear and snatched a pair of daggers then positioned himself opposite of Kirvar.

Kirvar set himself ready to strike as the door began to creak open. "You bastard," he muttered, loosening his stance as he watched Rémonn push open the door. "Almost took your sodding head off." He took a few steps forward then halted himself, raising his blade as he watched a woman follow him in. "No. No. No, no no no," he stammered on as he grabbed Rémonn and pulled him down to his height. "Are you mad," he whispered in his ear. "I told you not to do anything foolish."

Rémonn slapped Kirvar's hand away and stood back up. "Outside, I will be there in a minute," he turned around and looked towards Liam who was standing there staring at Leliana with his mouth agate. "Liam!" he shouted, watching the scrawny man regain himself before rushing out the door. Rémonn turned his attention back towards Leliana and smiled. "Sorry about that, we are all a little nervous. It is not much I know and certainly not what you are used to, but make yourself comfortable, I'll be back shortly." She acknowledged him with nothing but a simple smile and he turned and made his way out the door, gently closing it behind him.

"By the Stone man she has you wrapped," Kirvar uttered in frustration and he leaned back against the wall, his gaze glaring down at the floor. "What were you thinking?"

"I don't think she is the one we need to worry about," Rémonn replied.

"You are a fool!" Kirvar shouted, his eyes jumping up and meeting with Rémonn's. "You do not know a damned thing about her and you bring her here," he toned down his voice but the anger and frustration remained stagnant. "In case you have already forgotten we just blackmailed a family of nobles," he looked back towards Liam who was just standing there quietly eying the door to their room.

"How could Gautier set this up? That is the same woman I told you about long before Gautier joined us. Unless every one of those women are in his service than there is no possible way this is a trap."

"And would you doubt that!" Kirvar shouted, stopping himself as he watched the unwounded elf pop his head up above the stairs in order to investigate the commotion. "Get back down there elf! This is none of your concern!" He waited until he was gone then looked back towards Rémonn raising his sword up to his chest. "Even Liam would not do something this foolish."

"Hey," Liam muttered in disgrace.
"Quiet," Kirvar snappily replied as he swung his sword towards his direction, his eyes however never breaking off from Rémonn. "Three months. For three months you have been scared of your own shadow. We have slept on dirt and mud, eaten nothing but roots and rodents and have drunk nothing but dirty water out bogs and streams. Why? Because you were too sodding scared to go anywhere near a town. Now that it is all finally over, we are half a day away from collecting our coin and making our way back to Fereldan and you determine now to be the best time to muster courage and risk it all for a night with a woman."

"Do you think I haven't been careful," Rémonn uttered in his defense. "Do you think I don't know what to look for, what signs to seek, what questions to ask?" He paused a moment to see if the dwarfs expression would change but the unsettled look remained. "You yourself told me I was overcautious."

"That does not mean you take home the first whore who smiles at you!"

"What is she going to do. Is she going to attack all three of us? Are you afraid that little girl is going best us if she does show to be something, else."

Kirvar grumbled and shook his head. "Do not let her move an inch out of your sight," he sheathed his sword and began leaning back up against the wall. "What did you say before, something about her not being the one we should worry about?"

"Someone was following us," Rémonn answered quietly. "Once we got to the docks I caught a glimpse of someone following us from a distance, I do not know who it was or what they wanted but they made no effort to hide themselves."

Kirvar eyed him and nodded. "It is the docks, you are walking with what looks like one of nobility. Might have been a thief coming out to see if he could cut a heavy purse."

"I don't think so," Rémonn replied. "As I said, whoever it was made no effort to hide themselves. It was almost as if they wanted us to know they were watching, waiting."

"Cutpurse don't need to hide," Liam said bringing himself into the conversation. "Knew some in Denerim that'd cut your purse in bright day, make no try at hiding it."

Rémonn looked between the two and sighed. "We have dealt with thieves and the likes before. This one would have had plenty of chances to strike but they seemed more interested in watching."

"Wonderful," Kirvar grunted. "I say we move. Find a new spot for what is left of the night, leave your woman here."

"What would be the point?" Rémonn asked. "They would be outside, still watching and waiting. They would follow us, might attack if they felt we were vulnerable enough," he pointed towards the end of the hallway. "It's not an army, if they did try anything here the three of us could defend ourselves well enough."

"And if your friend in there is working with them?"

Rémonn looked back at Kirvar and shrugged. "Then she dies with her countrymen."

Kirvar stared at him and smirked. "So why did you bring her here? You could have taken care of your business at that other place."

"Does it matter? She is here now."

"Hopefully not," Kirvar answered as he rose off the wall. "So is she here for the night or until the two of you get done?"

"The night," Rémonn replied shaking his head. "The three of us will stay out here. No sleep, be ready and be watching. Tomorrow we collect our coin, pay for passage on a boat, and make back for Denerim."

"Somehow I doubt it will be as simple as that," Kirvar muttered.

"I did not come all this way to fall short. Make yourselves comfortable, we have a bit before daybreak."

The dwarf shook his head but made no remark. Instead he opened the door and walked back into the room, grabbed the table and then turned around and made back for the hall.

Rémonn caught the leery look burning in Kirvar's eyes as he gave the woman one final glance before walking out. Once the dwarf was gone he turned his attention over to Leliana who was seated at the edge of the bed with her legs crossed, leaning back on her arms with a bare look across her face. He smiled but uttered no words as he took two of the chairs before making his way back to the hall.

"Have any coppers on you?" Kirvar asked as he watched Rémonn step through the door. "I need to get my coin back from this sodding bastard."

"Nothing," Rémonn replied as he set the chairs down around the table. "You actually lost to Liam?"

"Hard to beat a cheat," Kirvar grunted as he pulled one of the chairs up and took a seat with his cards in hand.

"You better not forget you owe me silver for those ales." Liam uttered.

"Keep talking about it and I just might," Kirvar snapped back. "How about we play for those silvers. Winner gets a bigger piece of the cut." He watched as Liam grinned and quickly took a seat across from him and began cutting the deck. "Do you want in or are you going to spend some time with your special friend in there?"

Rémonn sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Sure, count me in. Just let me grab another chair." He turned and walked back into the room, immediately setting his eyes upon Leliana who had done nothing to reposition herself. That empty, almost disconsolate look remained on her face and again he said nothing. Rémonn wasn't sure what had led him to bring her here or exactly what he thought would come out of it, though he had hoped. Quickly he brushed the thought out of his mind and grabbed the third chair and slowly began dragging himself towards the door. ""This is why I did not want to come"," he heard the soft words spoken from behind. Rémonn turned around and saw her staring him down, those seductive baby blue eyes had seemingly changed into something so baleful. "Excuse me?" he asked in a dry tone as he found himself unable to move, unable to break away from her chilling gaze.

"I heard you and your companions speaking outside in the hall," Leliana answered, keeping a soft undertone in her words. "This is why I did not want to come."

Rémonn watched her head sink down so that her attention became fixated on the wooden floor below. "Nothing was meant to be..." He paused as he searched for a word to say or an appropriate apology to give. "You were listening to us?" was the best 'apology' he could muster.

"How could I not. The walls are thin and the dwarf..." She paused and sighed. "I am sorry. You have been, good to me."

Rémonn eyed her curiously as she went silent once more. "Right," he muttered softly, a little bewildered by her apology. "Well, I will leave you be for the night. If you need anything I will be right outside here."

"No. Please, stay," Leliana exclaimed. "I enjoy your company."

Again Rémonn found himself confounded. "Why?" he asked curiously, loosening his grip he had on the chair. "I am not exactly the same quality of man you are usually accustomed to."

"Quality?" Leliana spoke with a smile and laugh. "Do you mean the arrogant nobles who believe they are entitled to me simply because of their prestige. Or do have another meaning for the word 'quality' in Fereldan? Perhaps I am using the word wrong?"

"No, well." Rémonn stammered as he watched the baleful look in her eyes and bare expression across her face turn back into that warm and welcoming look he so fondly remembered. "I did not mean it exactly like that."

"Oh? So you meant it in a more, intimate way?"

"What, no. Of course not," Rémonn again stammered as she began to giggle at his fumbling of words. "Certainly not I am fine there, I think. Maybe we should just discuss something else."

Kirvar peered through the door and saw Rémonn standing there dumbfounded, staring intently at what he assumed was the woman. "Are you coming?"

Rémonn regained his composure and broke away from Leliana, turning his attention to the dwarf. "Go ahead and deal me out. I'm going to talk with her for a bit and then I'll join you two."

Kirvar shook his head as he watched the door slowly shut between them. "Another fool," was all he muttered as he slammed his hand of cards in front of Liam. "Deal."

Rémonn sat down in the chair he had drug, clasping his hands together and twiddled his fingers as he thought of his next words. "So why did you come with me?"

"You offered remember," Leliana answered with a smile.

"So you go with anyone who offers a bed for the night?"

"Of course not. But you are a friend of Lord Gautier and very few men no matter their nationality can boast such a claim."

"Gautier insists he is of little importance."

Leliana laughed and shook her head. "For a man of his stature he is quite modest. But do not let him fool you, his family has quite an influence here in Orlais."

"You know Gautier and myself, we are not what one would consider friends."

"You had his grace for the evening and he suggested that I accompany you for the night. Weather you believe yourself to be friends does not belittle the fact that he has some admiration for you."

"You do not know as much as you think."

"And I can say the same about you," Leliana promptly countered. "But it is not important. We all hold little secrets in our hearts."

"Is that so. And what secrets do you hold in your heart if I may ask?" Rémonn asked with a curious expression beaming across his face.

"One should not pry," Leliana replied with another soft smile. "They would not be our secrets to cling onto if we shared them so easily." She let a moment of silence linger to allow those words to sink in. "It does not matter, you are a good person, I can see that. From our words shared and time spent this eve, and the fact Gautier vaunted you so. Then of course your actions down stairs. I never did properly thank you for that, you are quite chivalrous after all."

"I am not sure I would say that, after all it was I who put you in such a predicament in the first place."

"Perhaps, but I willingly followed you into it."

Rémonn did not respond, instead he let silence once again linger between the two of them studying her face and reading her eyes, sincerity being the sole truth he could find. "Earlier, you asked if I would trust a complete stranger. Well, I am going to ask you the same question."

"And I believe it was you who responded by asking if there was a reason not to trust."

Again he gave her no response, instead he continued to eye her, watching that coy look come across her face as she turned away from his gaze. Rémonn wasn't sure what compelled his next actions but he rose from his chair and walked until he stood directly in front of Leliana. Softly he began caressing her cheek with his hand; the look in her eyes and the smile stretching across her face shifting lecherously. He took her hands and pulled her up off the bed and brought her close enough to where he could feel her breath on his face. To his surprise she did not pull away, did not struggle or defy his actions. Instead she abided to his will and silently acceded to his desires. Rémonn leaned in and pressed his lips upon hers and there they lingered until she slowly pulled away, repaying his affection with an inviting smile as she unhurriedly walked backwards and sat back down on the bed.

"So I take it we now have a certain level of trust between us?" Leliana asked but no verbal response came about. She watched as Rémonn took his shirt off and tossed it to the side, a small bronze key tied to a cord around his neck being the one thing of note. Gently he laid her on her back and fell upon her; the soft, delicate kiss they had shared before was replaced with those more out of passion and lust. She felt his lips slide between across her face and neck, his hands caressing various parts of her dress and body, the acts of affection making her smile and giggle. Eventually he brought his head away from and in response she pressed her finger against his mouth then gently push him back up. " I will show you how we do this here in Orlais," she said in a whisper as she positioned herself behind Rémonn who was now sitting at the edge of the bed. He made no arguments and gave no acknowledgment aside from an eager smiler. Leliana placed her hands on his bare shoulders and began to caress and rub them all the while softly kissing his neck, cheeks, and ears. "You look as if you could be such a handsome man, why do you not take care of yourself?" she whispered.

"Well, I have just been a bit, uneasy the past few months," Rémonn whispered back. "I like this."

"I knew you would," Leliana said with a little laugh. "It is good to put one at ease and to slowly keep building upon the anticipation, makes the night far more enjoyable. I did promise you a song before the night was over," she said once again whispering in his ear.

"You don't have to," Rémonn replied.

"Nonsense. I made a promise and I will keep it. Now let me see." Leliana asserted through her whispers. "I think this one will be fitting." She closed her eyes and smiled and she let the words and rhythm dance through her mind as she continued to attended to the man in her arms.

'Lady, I am one of those who willingly endure your wishes,

so long as I can endure;

but I do not think I can endure it for long without dying

since you are so hard on me as if you wanted to drive me away from you,

so I should never again see the great and true beauty of your gentle body,

which has such worth

that you are of all good women the best.

Alas! this I imagine my death.

But the pain I shall have to bear

would be sweet, if I could only hope,

that before my death, you let me see you again.

Lady, if ever my heart undertakes anything

which may honor or profit my heart,

it will come from you, however far you may be,

for never without you, whom I love very loyally,

nor without Love, could I undertake it or know it.

Sweet noble heart, I am forbidden

to ever see you again

your fair sweet face

which put me on the path of love;

but truly I do not know

how I can expect

not to have to die soon.

And if I must abstain

to give you pleasure

or else be untrue to you,

then I would rather keep my loyalty

and according to your will

die, if your heart wishes it,

than against your will

to receive complete joy

by viewing your beauty.

Sweet noble heart, pretty lady,

I am wounded by love

so that I am sad and pensive,

and have no joy or mirth,

for to you, my sweet companion,

I have thus given my heart.

Rémonn listened to the haunting melody sung through her seraphic voice, the melancholy tune leaving a chilling feel throughout his body. Yet at the same time her voice made even the most sorrow of songs calming on the nerves and easing on the mind and it was almost frightening. As the lyrics flowed on and her touch sent him to a state of serenity one thought danced through his mind, considering the moment about to be shared between the two this was an odd song to find 'fitting'.

Any questions about that thought were swiftly answered. Suddenly he felt a cold piece of steel slide into his lower back as a soft hand clasped over his mouth and nose. His eyes widened, turning bloodshot as he found his initial reaction to break free impossible to obtain. She was stronger then her appearance would ever lead one to believe and with her hand gripped tightly on the small blade in his back any movement aside from straight forward made the dire wound worse then it already was. His fate was sealed and soon he accepted it as well as one could, his remaining strength diverted to his mind as he tried to answer the thousands of 'whys' and 'hows"' that were pothering his thoughts. 'Careless, foolish, oblivious, sloppy, remiss.' All words he used to describe himself and his decisions in the waning moments of his life. He could feel his blood and saliva slowly building in his throat with nowhere to go and he made one more desperate attempt to break free before his own body subdued him, but it was a futile effort. Through all these thoughts and prayers swirling in his mind this woman had the audacity to continue on with her song, this sirens sweet lullaby gracefully whisking him to his grave.

Leliana went silent as she felt the mans body go limp in her arms, no more panicked attempts at breathing, no more violent struggles, no more tears streaming from his eyes. She sighed as she slid the dagger out from his back and gently lowered him so that he laid there on the bed peacefully. Rising from the bed she looked down on him one more time, close his eyelids and tenderly kissing his forehead as she cut the cord from around his neck and grasped the key in the palm of her hand. She peered around the room, in the corner a cheap cloth blanket sat crumbled with an obvious bulge in the middle. Leliana walked over and lifted the cloth, studying the small lockbox that had been covered by the tattered blanket. Carefully she opened it and pulled out a small, thin book that contained an assortment of loose parchments between it's pages, thumbing through them quickly to make sure it was what she had been tasked tasked with receiving. Once certain that this was indeed her objective she made her way back to the bed and used blanket to cover Rémonn's still body before making her way to the rooms lone window. As she began to unbolt the oil-parchment window she turned back around and stared at the door. Two more sat right outside, two who knew her face and would shortly know of her deeds. What was she to do, what would the others do, what would Marjolaine want her to do.

Leliana inhaled a deep breath and slowly let it back out as she made her way to the oil lamps hanging from the walls and extinguished each flame. Setting the book down she waited a few minutes for her eyes settle in with the darkness of the room and once she had a bit of sight within the blackness she positioned herself behind where the door would swing open. Again she sighed and started to play and position the blade between her fingers, letting her mind gather back up once more. "Would you two care to join us."

Kirvar looked up at the door with a stunned look as he heard the muffled words through the wall. "Guess she was too much for Rémonn to handle," the dwarf muttered as he slouched back down in his chair.

"You not goin'?" Liam asked anxiously.

"No," Kirvar stated as he stared back as his hand of cards. "I rather be out here," he glanced up at Liam who had an eager look in his eyes and shook his head. "Do what you want."

Liam neither question nor commented on the dwarfs words, instead he bounced out of his chair and opened the door to the room, slowly walking through the unsettling darkness. "Rémonn?" he called as the deathly silence in the room immediately put him on edge. The faint light from the hall managed shed away a bit of the darkness, allowing him to make out a bump underneath the covers. "Boss?" he muttered softly as he slowly crept his way towards the bed. Something was obviously amiss and he could see neither Rémonn or the woman he had brought. Once he reached the bed he peered around the darkness and then lowered his head as he pulled the blanket off the bed, vaguely seeing Rémonn lying there still as stone. Liam slapped his cheeks a few times hoping to simply find the man fast asleep. "Rémonn, you awake?" Suddenly the door creak and closed from behind and in response he quickly turned around but nothing could be seen through the pitch black room. Then out of nowhere a sudden pain shot throughout his chest, looking down he could make out the faint outline of knife hilt sticking out of where his heart would be. He gasped in horror as he looked back up ready to shout for help but before he could think of any single word to utter a shadow pounced from out of the darkness, lunging towards him with an arm crossed back over it's shoulder, and then nothing but darkness once more.

Leliana hovered over and circled the body on the floor for a moment, keeping herself in an aggressive stance as she waited to see just how successful her attack was. Aside from a few faint gargles the body no longer twitched or sounded. She relaxed herself and leaned down, fumbling across his body as she searched for her other blade embedded in his chest, the touch of warm blood and the mans cloth shirt now drenched by it made her cringe. Finally able to find the hilt she pulled it out and quickly turned her attention back towards the shut door. ''One more,'' she thought to herself as she pondered a moment on ways to lure him in. Deciding on nothing yet she walked towards the window, unbolted it, and pushed it open as far as she could. The faint glow of starlight alleviating just a bit of the darkness that shrouded the room. It wasn't much but it gave her a little more to work with. Her eyes bolted around various parts of the room, from the corners of the room to the rafters above, her mind formulating ideas in a desperate attempt to create a plan. She could not fail.

Kirvar sat there quietly, his eyes locked on the door and his hand hovering around the pommel of his sword. He felt his fears were becoming a reality, where sounds of love and passion should be heard there was nothing but recurrent silence. Still he continued to feed himself a sliver of hope; perhaps they were poor in bed, perhaps they just sat there quietly talking, maybe they threw her out the window. Something, anything.

Soon enough however the lingering belief in hope was gone as a loud crash came against the very door he was staring down. Slowly he rose from his seat, pulled his sword from it's sheath and sighed as he walked to the front of the door. There he stood for a moment, waiting to see if the elf or some other being walked up the stairs to investigate the sound, nothing. Taking in a few deep breathes followed by slow exhales he closed his eyes and readied himself then slowly pushed the door open. Immediately inside he could see pieces of broken timber from the chair at the foot of the door, no doubt the cause of the noise. Kirvar made a quick glance around the dark room, the faint outlines of two still bodies, one on the floor and the other on the bed answered the first of two questions he had. The only other thing of note being the opened window and he rushed towards it and began scanning the streets, franticly searching about hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman running away but there was nothing except the lifeless dirt streets and broken homes. A soft thud suddenly came from behind but before he could turn around to investigate he felt a short blade plunge through his leather armor and lower back and a soft hand being thrown over his face.

Leliana tried to gain control of the struggling dwarf, but between his short height and incredible strength she failed to gain any leverage on him and he quickly bucked her off. She stumbled back a bit before regaining her composure and pulled her second blade that was sheathed around her ankle.

The dwarf was down on a knee, coughing blood and spewing inaudible curses. "Sodding whore," was all he managed to speak with strength enough for her to hear. He spat blood one last time and rose to face her. A rage burned through his eyes and heart as he set himself in a battle stance. Kirvar gritted his teeth as he stared the woman down; her gold satin dress now wrinkled and drenched with blood, a short dagger wielded in her right hand her sole armament. He reached around his back with his free hand and pulled the other dagger now stained red with his own blood.

Leliana watched and waited for the dwarf to make a move. She kept herself on the balls of her feet ready to dance to the side if he came rushing at her like a bull. She was outmatched, badly. A dress and a dagger against an moderately armed dwarf, this was not the situation she wanted to find herself in. She continued to eye him, watching as he tossed her other dagger to the side and began creeping to his right. Slowly she backed away, hoping to entice him into making a careless and lumbering lunge forward where her nimbleness would prove to be an asset and her only strength. But the dwarf did nothing aside from continuing to slowly slide to his right and then Leliana realized he was no more than a crippled animal backed into a corner. Snarling and growling, flashing it's teeth in an attempt to scare away it's predator, but he was hurt and hurt bad. Leliana let her guard down and watched the dwarf do what he could to take advantage of it, a slow rush forward with his sword held high. With ease she moved off to the side and watched the dwarf stumble and crash down to the floor, his sword still gripped tightly in his hand. Carefully she made her way towards him from behind and quickly threw a hand over his face and pulled back his head. A mild struggle and inaudible vocals put to an end as she slid her blade across the thick neck of the dwarf.

She walked over and shut the door one final time and used a piece of the chair as a doorstop. Turning back around she looked upon her work, unsure what to really think about it. A queasy feeling soon began to settle in however, three bodies and the parts of the floor, the wood floor and bed stained red. She rubbed her face as she tried to calm herself down, unaware of the blood on her hands that she smeared across her face. Leliana shook her head and tried to push everything out of her mind. Quietly she sang a lamentation under her breath as she gathered herself once more and collected the book off the floor. One more glance around the room and a deep sigh once the words of her song came to an end.

Leliana made her way to the window, darkness still engulfing the city of Val Royeaux and for now that was an advantage. She was preparing herself to climb out the window when she reeled back in horror and shock. Quickly she fell to the floor and dropped the book, crawling to the corner and grabbing the dwarfs sword on her way. Directly below the window stood a ghostly contour, a shadow of a man peering directly up at her, sending a haunting chill that spread throughout her mind and body. She stayed back in the corner, sword clenched tightly in hand as her heart and breathing raced. Leliana did what she could to calm herself down but it accumulated to little success. She closed her eyes, tried to listen to the sound of footsteps coming across the hall, the creaking of the stairs or the opening of the door, the shouting of guards as they rushed to punish her for her deeds.

Nothing. Silence was all there ever was and all there would ever be. After what felt like hours she finally managed to calm herself down, her heart steadying and her breathing tamed. For the first time she let go of the sword and subtly she peered over the bottom edge of the window. The shadow was gone, nothing but empty streets and still buildings. She covered her face with her hands and let out what she hoped was a sigh of relief and tears of joy. Snatching the book once again and avoiding any visual contact with the bodies of her victims she turned and dropped herself out the window. The flimsy dress shoes did little to support her impact and she stumbled to the ground on landing. Quickly she rose and after a few fleeting glances to make sure she was unseen she darted off as fast as her apparel allowed through the back streets of the docks.

Eventually she came to a canal and brought herself down upon it's bank in order to catch her breath. In the calm water below she could see the faint reflection of one of the Grand Cathedrals burning campaniles as well as her own. Streaks of blood spread across her face like that of war paint, her hands stained and parts her gold dress now seemed to be dyed red. She quickly looked away from herself in disgust and stared at the flame dancing in the reflection. Peaceful, serene, mesmerizing. If only it was enough.