Chapter 4
Zevran escorted Alex up to Alistair. Zev bowed to him and Alistair returned the bow. Alex followed Zev's led, she curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Alistair bowed in return. He beamed at her, took her hand and kissed it as he replied, "Contessa, the pleasure is all mine. Please let me introduce you to my chancellor, Eamon Guerrin."
Eamon also took her hand and kissed it, "It is a pleasure to meet you Contessa Seymour. Alistair told me all about your ordeal yesterday and I am so sorry that occurred while you were here in Ferelden. We now have soldiers patrolling the roads to ensure that no one else falls victim to these bandits."
"Thank you, Chancellor Guerrin. I am just glad that His Majesty is so handy with a sword."
"Well, I hope that you will enjoy your stay here at the Palace," Eamon replied.
"Thank you, Alistair has been very generous. I am sure that I will enjoy my stay." For the first time since her arrival Alex took a moment and looked around the garden. There had to be at least a thousand candles lighting the space and flower arrangements were on all the tables and buffets. It was absolutely breathtaking.
"Wow, now I know how Cinderella felt! This place is AMAZING! You simply must give me the name of your decorator." Alex beamed.
"Cinder-who?" Arl Sighard inquired.
"Oh, um…It's a fairytale where I come from. In either case I'm pleased to meet you, Mr…"
Bending slightly, the arl grabbed Alex's hand and kissed it. "Arl Sighard." The arl smiled up at Alex as she nodded, and politely reclaimed her hand from his grasp. "I must say, your arrival, Contessa, has me quite vexed."
"Oh? How's that?"
"I pride myself on knowing all the elite families in Thedas and was unaware of the existence of a Count Seymour or his clan. Tell me, how recently has this title been given to your family?"
Alex cast a quick, panicked gaze over at Alistair who himself was silently freaking out.
'Andraste's flaming sword! How can anybody keep track of ALL the Thedian nobility? Does the Arl have them memorized or does he keep a chart conveniently hidden up his sleeve?' Alex thought
Leliana laughed as she stepped forward and said, "How could anyone possibly track down all of the branches of the Pentaghast clan? Those warring factions change their loyalty and their nobility about as much as most individuals change their small clothes."
Everyone began to laugh and again Alex followed their led and laughed – although she didn't have a clue what they were laughing about.
Zeveran caught onto Leliana's charade and chimed in, "You know I do believe that I once had to fulfill a contract in Nevarra on a Lord Edward Seymour – stout, ugly fellow."
Alex tried to look aghast as she proclaimed, "You were responsible for Uncle Eddie's death? They told us he died while chocking on pork rind."
Zev had to stifle his laughter as he said, "Yes, well then I did my job correctly." As Arl Sighand's wife passed by the group, Zev inconspicuously stuck out his leg and tripped the Arlessa. She conveniently stumbled towards the Arl and spilled her goblet of wine all over the front of his tunic.
"By the Maker, look at what you've done, Lydia!" Sighard exclaimed as he caught his wife.
"It was an accident, you fool! And trust me, the way you look in that thing, I did you a favor." Lydia huffed as she regained her composure.
"And what would you know about fashion, wearing THAT gaudy ensemble? This, however, was a beautiful tunic!"
The two nobles continued their confrontation as Zevran quickly led Alex and Alistair away.
"That is yet another sticky situation I have managed to save you from, my friend. Now tell me, what was with those worried expressions that you and the lovely Alex exchanged after the Arl questioned her status?"
Alistair was about reply when he felt someone tap him on his left shoulder. When he turned around he came face to face with one of the most hideous women he'd ever met. From what he could tell, she had curves in all the right places, however her face reminded him of a cross between a nug and a mabari. How such a thing was possible he didn't know, but there she stood.
"Your Majesty, allow me to introduce Bann Steafan's daughter, Eliza." Eamon smiled as he stood next to the woman. "The two of us were just talking and it would seem that she is without a dance partner. While I would accompany her myself, I noticed that you too were not on the dance floor and thought it might be beneficial to introduce the two of you."
Alistair plastered on the best fake smile he could muster. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Eliza." Alistair nodded towards the lady.
Eliza smiled, fluttered her eyelashes in an attempt to flirt with him. "I assure you, Your Majesty, the honor is all mine."
"Well then, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
"It would be my honor, Sire."
Alex watched as Alistair led the noblewoman off towards the dance floor, and laughed as he grimaced when he passed Eamon.
"Talk about a butter-face." Alex whispered to herself, but Zevran still managed to hear her.
"Come again, my sweet?"
"Butter-face, everything about her is attractive—but her face."
The assassin laughed. "You truly are a most unusual beauty, you know that?"
"You don't know the half of it." Alex joked as she took a finger sandwich off the plate that passed by.
The next three hours were the longest of Alistair's life. It seemed that as he finished a dance with one lady Eamon would usher over another one to take her place. Most of them seemed nice enough, only one or two were overtly ugly, though none compared to Eliza.
When the current song ended, Alistair excused himself from his dance partner and made his way over toward the bar. Eamon was about to head towards him when Alistair shot him a dirty look and waved him off. Eamon took the hint and backed off. He approached the bartender and ordered a glass of wine.
Alex sauntered up to him and said, "I thought for sure Eamon was going to make you dance the entire night none stop."
"It certainly felt that way. I was about to keel over from dehydration. I must have danced with every noblewoman here," Alistair grumbled.
"Not every noblewoman here," Alex replied. Alistair looked at her as she continued, "You have yet to dance with me."
Alistair smiled at her and said, "Well, I certainly need to rectify that then. Contessa Seymour, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Alex returned the smile and said, "For my timely rescuer, anything."
Alistair raised an eye brow and said, "Anything? Good to know." He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He grasped her hand in his and placed his hand on the small of her back. He effortlessly twirled and spun her around the dance floor.
Alistair leaned down and whispered in her ear, "For being from another dimension you dance pretty good." Alistair felt a shiver pass through her and it made him smile. He liked the way she leaned closer into him.
She smiled up at him and whispered, "They do have dancing where I'm from."
"I'm sure they do, but you have adapted quickly to our style," Alistair replied.
Alex hesitated for a moment and then sighed, "My mother was an heiress to a substantial fortune before she married my father. My grandparents didn't approve of her choice in a husband and disinherited her, but when I was born my grandparents insisted that I be brought up as a proper member of society so I had to attend all the appropriate classes that a budding debutant had to attend. I had my fair share of etiquette classes, ballroom dancing lessons, equestrian lessons, language lessons and fencing lessons. Your dances here are not that different from the dances that I have learned and you are an excellent lead so it's easy to follow you."
Alistair smirked at her and said, "Did you say fencing lessons?" Alex nodded and Alistair continued, "With a sword?" Again Alex nodded as a confused look settled on her face.
"Since you are staying here at the Palace for the duration of your visit how about you show me what you got in the sparring ring?" Alistair said with a grin.
Alex raised her eye brow and grinned back, "Are you challenging me, Your Majesty?"
Alistair grinned and said, "I believe I am."
She returned the smile as she exclaimed, "You're on!"
Alistair was about to reply when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Eamon standing there. "Your Majesty, you have been dancing with the Contessa for the past three songs. I believe her escort is starting to get restless."
"Oh, yes, your right Eamon and the last thing we want is a restless Zevran," Alistair replied.
Alistair escorted her to the side of the dance floor and said, "We will have to continue this conversation later."
"I can hardly wait," Alex replied coolly.
Alistair was about to make a witty reply when Eamon ushered over one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She had crimson hair that flowed just past her shoulders, doe eyes, and pouty rose-colored lips. Her blood-red dress was made of velvet that hung in folds that accented the pale gold taffeta inserts. The taffeta front panel had crisscross lacing made of red satin and it accented her curves and breasts perfectly.
"Alistair, this is Arl Bryland's daughter Giselle," Eamon said.
Giselle took a step toward Alistair and bent into a deep curtsy that revealed her enticing bust-line. As she rose from her bow her breasts lightly grazed Alistair's chest. She breathlessly murmured, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Majesty."
Alistair was momentarily distracted by the woman's subtle overture, but when he found his voice he mumbled, "Aaah, yes it is a pleasure to meet you, my Lady," Alistair replied. "You look lovely this evening," he added quickly.
"Oh thank you, Your Majesty," Giselle cooed.
"Please call me, Alistair. Would you do me the honor of a dance?" he replied.
Giselle looked up at him with doey eyes and purred, "I would love to, Alistair."
Alistair led her toward the dance floor. Giselle glanced over her shoulder at Alex and gave her a dirty look. Alex was a little shocked, but before she could say anything Eamon said, "I think she was a little perturbed that she had to wait so long to dance with Alistair." Alex just nodded as she watched Alistair and Giselle dance around the floor.
Alistair took Giselle into his arms and she pressed into him. He could feel her breasts rise with every breath she took. He guided her around the floor.
"I thought there for a while that I would never get the chance to dance with you. The Contessa seemed to be monopolizing all of your time," Giselle sighed.
"Oh, she didn't mean to. Since she is not from around here she had a lot of questions regarding our customs," Alistair replied.
"Well, I am glad that Eamon was able to convince you to give the rest of us noble ladies a chance to feel your big, strong arms around us while you lead us on the dance floor," she cooed.
Alistair's cheeks began to redden from her flirtation with him. "Aaah, you think I'm big and strong," Alistair questioned.
She coyly smiled at him and purred, "Of course, Alistair, not to mention strikingly handsome."
Alistair was at a loss for words so he glanced around at the other couples on the dance floor. He noticed Alex tightly linked in Zev's arms as he spun her around the floor. She threw her head back and laughed at something he said. Alistair felt the pang of jealousy surge through him. He didn't want Alex with Zev - not that way anyhow. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? He had a gorgeous woman in his arms and he was worried about another gorgeous woman being in the arms of a man he considered a friend. He really was an ass at times.
"Am I boring you, Alistair?" Giselle sighed.
The sound of Giselle's voice brought him back "Huh? Oh, no of course not."
"I know that you have been dancing all night. Why don't we take a break from all the dancing and you could give me a tour of the Royal Gardens?"
Alistair didn't need to be asked twice. He thought his blisters now had blisters. He led her towards one of the light path ways, but she tugged him in the direction of a path that had less lighting.
"Let's take this one, Alistair. It will give us a little bit more privacy," she purred.
Alistair was grateful the lighting was dimmer here because he could feel his cheeks burn as the blood rushed there. "Okay," he said tentatively and he took her hand and led her down the softly lit path.
xxXxx
Zev twirled her around the dance floor and then bent her into a deep dip. He tilted his head to one side and murmured, "Hmmm, this is a very enticing position, my sweet."
"For you maybe, you're not the one whose back is being contorted into a pretzel," Alex retorted.
Zev laughed and replied, "This is true, but you could bend me anyway you like, mi Bella Terso."
Now it was Alex's turn to laugh and she caught Alistair glance at her as he spun Giselle around the floor. There was something about that woman she didn't trust. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she didn't like her. She turned her attention back to Zev and replied, "You think of me as a beautiful treasure?"
"You speak Antivian?" Zev asked.
Alex thought a moment before she replied, "A little…a few words here and there."
"Aaah, I see. Well, my dear Alex, you are a beautiful treasure and you should be told that often."
Alex thought it was time to change the subject and said, "So all the festivities this week are just so Alistair can find a bride?" Alex questioned.
Zev nodded. "Yes, it was Arl Eamon's idea, if I remember correctly. Surely this is a common place occurrence amongst the nobility where you come from?"
"Well, where I come from nothing as elaborate as a weeklong celebration occurs in order for one to secure a spouse," Alex replied.
Zev laughed and said, "Yes, Eamon at times can be a little over the top."
"So what do they do where you come from to secure a spouse?" Zev asked.
"Err…" Alex had somehow managed to evade answering most of Zevran's questions about her origins all night long. Instead, she tried to focus most of their conversations on talking about him or the other people at the ball. She knew he could notice this and appreciated that he went along with whatever change in topic popped into her head. However, she also knew that he wouldn't stay complacent for long, before too long he would eventually demand she answer his questions. She just hoped that Alistair would be there to help her when he did.
"When I was dancing with Alistair I mentioned that I have taken fencing lessons for years. Alistair took this as opportunity to challenge me to a sparring match sometime during my stay here. I would like to practice before that match and was wondering where I would go to practice at?" Alex inquired.
"Aaah, so his Majesty wishes to participate in a little swordplay foreplay. My little protégé has come a long way. It almost brings a tear to my eye," Zev replied jovially.
"Ri-gh-tt, foreplay was not mentioned in the conversation nor will it be a part of the match. So are you going to answer my questions?" Alex asked.
"How about this, my sweet, I will pick you up in room tomorrow morning and I will take you to the practice ring myself. Do you prefer to fight with a sword and shield or duel weapons?"
"My fencing instructor only taught me with a sabre, but there was a group of us that would practice duel weapons when no one was around," Alex replied.
Zev smirked, "Aaah, you're a rebel. I love it. Very well, we will practice with duel weapons then, this just so happens to be my area of expertise," Zev replied.
Alex glanced over Zev's shoulder and saw Alistair emerge from a dimly light pathway with that hussy trailing close behind him. She felt a surge of jealousy course through her, but she brushed it aside and asked, "Hey, who's Jezebel that took a tour of the Royal Gardens with the King?" Alex motioned towards the red-head that Alistair led by the hand from the path.
Zev raised and eye brow and asked, "Jezebel?"
"Where I come from it's a name given to lose women that throw themselves at men," Alex explained.
"I am going to have to visit where you come from. You make it sound like a very fascinating place," Zev said with a smirk. He glanced over his shoulder toward the direction that Alex had indicated. He saw Alistair as he tried to adjust his doublet and wipe a smug from his lips. The woman still looked respectable as she tucked a loose hair back behind her ear.
Zev chuckled. "I do not know, though I must say it seems as if our king is rather smitten with her. Just look at the way he smiling, he's like Lilliana when she talks about Orlesian shoes."
"More like a mabari with a new bone. Just look at him, if he drools anymore he'll turn the ballroom into an indoor swimming pool!" Alex played along with the joke as she tried to hide the ting of jealousy she felt when she looked at the couple.
The ex-Crow gave her knowing smile before asking, "Swimming pool? I have never heard of such a thing."
"Oh, it's a man-made hole in the ground constructed out of concrete, stone, or tile and filled with clean water to swim in. Sometimes public ones will have boards to dive off of or slides attached."
"Oh, you are talking about a type of communal bathhouse?"
"Uh…sort of like that, but people don't go there to bathe, they simply go to have fun and swim. Oh, and they wear special suits to swim in too, they're not naked like at a bathhouse."
"Oh, but then you take away much of the fun if you are to cover up a body such as your own."
Alex blushed at his compliment. "Well, there are people who have their own pools at home. Some of those people like to go skinny-dipping, which IS when you swim naked."
"And do you happen to have such a pool at your home, one where you swim naked?" Zevran smiled as Alex's face turned three different shades of red.
"No, and even if I did it would take a lot more then you're playboy charms to get me to swim naked with you." Alex replied as she punched him playfully in the side.
"Well then, I shall just have to try harder, no?"
"You can try, but I'm not sure how far it will get you," Alex cooed.
"I am always up for a good challenge, my dear Alex," Zev purred into her ear.
xxXxx
Eamon watched at Alistair and Giselle materialized from the trail and he smiled to himself. Giselle Bryland would be a good match. The Arl had a lot of friends and influence at the Landsmeet. He heard the Contessa laugh and his smile faded. He had never heard of a Count Seymour in Nevarra, but that really didn't mean much. Nevarra was a huge territory that encompassed a large part of the land across the Walking Sea including the Free Marches. Eamon could tell that Alistair was infatuated with the lovely Contessa, but if it developed into something more he would have to do a serious investigation of the Contessa's background.
Eamon saw Darrian quietly sitting by himself as he observed the festivites. Eamon went to the bar. He ordered got two ales and then sat down beside the elf.
"So how do you think things are going this evening? Eamon asked.
"Well, I think everyone is having a great time." Darrian replied.
"And Alistair, do you think he is enjoying himself?" Eamon said.
Darrian smirked and then replied, "He has one beautiful woman throwing herself at him and another that he is captivated with. Of course he is enjoying himself."
"Yesss, it's the later that has me concerned. She seems very charming and appears to be what she says, but I have never heard of a noble family by the name Seymour. Not that in a country as big as Nevarra I would know everyone, but to have the noble rank of Contessa they must be a pretty affluent family."
"Well, do you know any noble families in Nevarra that you can ask about her?" Darrian asked.
Eamon nodded and said, "There are a couple of families that I know. I think I will write them tomorrow. So tell me, have you learned anything new about that apostate woman and your child?"
"No, and I'm getting more worried by the day," Darrian replied.
Eamon was the only person outside of the group who traveled with him during the Blight that knew of Darrian's love for Morrigan. At first she was as hostile towards him as she was any man, but he didn't hold that against her. She grew up in the Wilds with someone like Flemeth as a mother that couldn't have been easy. It was her sharp wit and social ignorance that had captured his eye to begin with. He had never met a woman like her before and he found her oddly refreshing.
He'd spent all his free time during the Blight trying to earn her trust and in order to get her to open up to him. Even when she would disapprove of his actions he would temper her insults with kind words and patience. He had wanted so desperately to wipe that persistent scowl off her face, he found she was much prettier when she smiled. Alistair had continuously warned him that he was making a mistake, that Morrigan was no good and she would break his heart. He didn't care he considered her worth the risk and truth be told he would do it again too, if given the chance.
"Well do try to cheer up young man, I'm sure the scouting troop Alistair sent will come back with answers. In the meantime, might I suggest you try to enjoy yourself and mingle? You are the Hero of Ferelden after all, it doesn't inspire confidence in the people to see their champion in such a state of melancholy."
Darrian smiled as best he could. "I shall try to remember that and hold off grieving till I know something more finite. Thank you, Eamon, for listening."
"Any time my boy, any time," Eamon said as he stood up. "Now if you will excuse me I think I need to check my Liege."
"Oh Eamon, give the poor boy a break. You've had him dance with every eligible noblewoman here – fat, skinny, young, old, pretty or some downright ugly – you my friend have not discriminated against one of them. Now that the evening is whining down let him relax and enjoy himself."
Eamon thought about what Darrian had said and agreed to let Alistair enjoy the rest of the evening. He then excused himself and went to chat with Arl Wulff. Darrian thought about what Eamon had said about Contessa Seymour. He had immediately liked her when Alistair had introduced the two of them. He was normally a very good judge of character and had excellent intuition. All of his instincts told him that Alex was a good person, but he would still keep a close eye on her. He cared about Alistair a lot. He was like a brother to him and the last thing that he wanted was to see him hurt.