Chapter 9

Alistair and Darrian rode in silence as Kester ferried the two of them across Lake Calenhad toward the Circle of Magi. Anders had suggested researching the Circle's library for information regarding the old Tevinter Magisters' temple locations in Ferelden. Darrian had suggested that they might receive a better reception and raise fewer suspicions if only the two of them approached the Tower. Anders of course thought this was the best idea he had ever heard since he didn't want to go anywhere near the Circle. The rest of the group was very happy to secure accommodations at The Spoiled Princess and wait there for their return.

Alistair thought back to the week and a half that the group had spent traveling to Lake Calenhad. For the most part it had been very uneventful. At the dinner the night before they left Denerim, Darrian had explained the reason for the mission and the truth about Alex. Alistair wasn't sure if Nathaniel and Oghren completely believed Alex's story. At camp each night Nathaniel would study her with his quiet, stoic stare while Oghren was just pleased to find out that she could handle her alcohol and keep up with him. She said it had something to do with her Irish heritage.

Alistair remembered one night at camp after everyone had taken several swigs from Oghern's dwarven "brandy" Anders asked Alex how she had learned her style of fighting. Alex explained about martial arts and the different styles of martial arts. She went on to explain that there is a sport called MMA which fighters combined all the different styles of martial arts which included judo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling and that these fighters would fight each other in a caged ring. The combatants will go at each other for three, five minute rounds in which time the judges will observe and decide who won. The fights could be very intensive. Alex described how her father had been the MMA champion for five years.

"So let me get this straight, there are no weapons involved, it's strictly hand-to-hand combat?" Nathaniel skeptically asked.

"Yes, your hands, arms, legs, and head are very powerful weapons," Alex retorted.

"I'll take a sword and dagger over my bare hands any day," Nathaniel snapped.

Alex smiled and asked, "But if you had to confront an opponent that had a sword, but you only had your hands would you be able to defend yourself and unarm your opponent?'

"I think I would be able to," Nathaniel replied confidently.

Alex smirked, "Really? Well, how about I demonstrate how I would do it and you tell me if you would do something similar?"

Nathaniel stood to his feet, grabbed a broad sword and replied, "Sounds good to me."

Alex quickly put on some light armor and then the two of them moved into a clearing in the camp and began to circle each other. Zev leaned over to Anders and said, "Two sovereigns says she has him disarmed in less than five minutes."

Anders grinned and said, "You're on."

Nathaniel lunged toward Alex, but she easily side stepped the attack and they began to circle again. Several more times Nathaniel lunged or swung the sword at Alex and each time she agilely side stepped the lunge or she would roll past the swing of the blade. During the entire confrontation Alistair's heart was in his throat. Alex had no weapon and only light armor. Alistair knew that Nathaniel would never deliver a blow to intentionally kill Alex, but accidents could happen.

Alistair studied her face and it was clear to him that she was waiting for a specific move from Nathaniel. A slight grin flickered across her face when Nathaniel advanced toward her with his weapon raised for an overhand strike. This must have been the move that she had been waiting for. As the weapon descended toward Alex, she stepped to the left and towards him. As Nathaniel's blade descended Alex caught his right elbow with her left hand, she used her right hand to grab the back of Nathaniel's wrist, with a firm grasp still on his elbow, and Alex pulled the weapon down and slid her hand directly below Nathaniel's hand on the pommel. This move caused Nathaniel's arms to twist around each other and it looked as if his arms were locked in that position. Nathaniel's sword was now turned sideways and pointed slightly downward. The only way that Nathaniel could break out of the lock was to let go of the sword. Alex then pushed against the back of his elbow while she pulled the sword toward her right hip which overextend Nathaniel's reach, toppled him forward and forced him to relinquish the hold he had on the blade. Nathaniel rolled over on the ground and looked up at her as she held the blade at his chest.

A cheer went up from the observers. "Four minutes and twenty-six seconds – pay up," Zev chortled.

Alex grinned down at Nathaniel and extended her hand. As she helped him up she asked, "So exactly how would you have handled that situation?"

Nathaniel brushed the dirt off of his trousers as he sheepishly replied, "I would have done something similar to that."

Alex gave a knowing smile and said, "I thought so. The Samurai Karate Throw Defense and Counterattack is the most popular choice when unarmed and facing an armed opponent."

"Yesss, that is the most popular choice," Nathaniel unenthusiastically responded.

Darrian tugged at Alistair's arm, pulling him out of his memory. Darrian said, "You have the silliest grin on your face. What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, I was thinking about that time at camp when Alex disarmed Nathaniel and took away his sword," Alistair replied.

"Yes, that was an amusing night. I think we all had a little too much of Oghren's brandy," Darrian mused. Darrian studied Alistair for a moment and then said, "You like her don't you?"

Alistair looked at his friend for a long moment and they replied, "I think it's more than 'like'. I care about her a lot. I think about her all the time. When I am away from her all I can think about is seeing her again."

Darrian nodded solemnly, "I was afraid of that."

"Why? I thought you liked Alex?" Alistair inquired.

"I do, Alistair. I think Alex is funny, compassionate, beautiful, an excellent fighter…she obviously has a weird sense of humor because she laughs at your jokes, but all around she is a wonderful person."

"So what's the problem?" Alistair demanded.

"Alistair, she isn't from around here. She has been here for almost four months; she has to have family and friends that are missing her. She eventually will have to go back to her world," Darrian said soberly.

Alistair shook his head and said, "We don't know that. Maybe she will want to stay. She likes it here and…and…she likes me as much I as I like her…she may not want to leave."

"Alistair, I just don't want to see you broken hearted if she has to go back. Morrigan didn't say how long she could say here. She never said it was permanent. Even if she could stay how you do even know if that is what she wants?" Darrian questioned.

Alistair thought about what Darrian said and then he thought about the stolen moments that he and Alex had shared over the last few months. He knew that she wanted him; he knew by the way that she looked at him and by the way she touched him that she cared as deeply about him as he did about her, and because of those things he had never considered the possibility that she would leave him.

Darrian rested his hand on Alistair's shoulder and said, "Talk to her Alistair. Before you become more deeply involved with her; before you fall in love with her, talk to her."

Alistair thought it was too late. He was pretty sure he already loved her, but Darrian was right…he need to talk with her about what her plans were…if she intended on staying or if she was going to go back to her world. The thought of her leaving and never being able to see her again stabbed at his heart.

xxXxx

They were greeted by First Enchanter Irving as the entered the Circle. "What a pleasant surprise. How wonderful to see both of you," Irving greeted them jovially.

"Thank you, Irving. We appreciate you seeing us on such short notice," Alistair replied.

Irving laughed. "Even if I didn't consider both of you friends of the Circle, it's not like I could turn away the King of Ferelden and the Commander of the Grey. Come let's go to my office where we can talk in private."

Irving escorted them down the long corridors that led towards his office. "Irving, it looks like the Circle has almost completely recovered from the attacks," Darrian said.

"Yes, we have come a long way and we appreciate the help that you have sent our way, your Majesty," Irving replied.

"Please, Irving, I thought we established a long time ago that you are to call me Alistair."

"Oh yes, I am so sorry, Alistair."

"That's fine, Irving. You aided us in our time of need I was happy to repay the favor," Alistair said.

They arrived at Irving's office and settled themselves into the comfortable chairs that he had in front of his desk. "So tell me how can I help you?" Irving asked.

"Irving we are here on Grey Warden business so I can't go into too much detail regarding the reason behind our visit. We need to do some research in the Circle's library on the Tevinter Magisters' and any of the temples that they had in Ferelden," Darrian responded.

Irving sat back in his chair and looked at them for a moment, then said, "There isn't a whole lot known about the Tevinter Magisters' other then the small summaries that are mentioned in the history books and the Chant of Light. They were a very private group of mages that performed very powerful magic. If the legends are true and they were able to enter the Fade in physical form it would take an extraordinary amount of powerful magic to do that. If you are looking for their temples and you find any of their tomes I would love to study them when you are through. I don't know how much you will find in our libraries, but you are more than welcome to conduct your research and if there is anything I can do to aid your search please let me know."

"Thank you, Irving. We appreciate your help," Darrian replied.

"Well, I will have two rooms made up for you. Do you know how long you will be staying?"

"Thank you we appreciate that. We will not be here long. If we find the information that we require we will leave immediately," Darrian said.

"I understand," Irving said. He rose as Alistair and Darrian headed out of his office toward the library.

Over the next three days Alistair and Darrian poured over every tome they could find that discussed the Tevinter Magisters' but they were only able to find two places that mentioned Tevinter's temples. One was deep in the Frostback Mountains near Marles' Pass and the other was at the top of Drake's Point.

Alistair and Darrian thanked Irving for his generosity and they headed back across the lake to The Spoiled Princess. As they neared the inn loud, festive sounds were flowing out of the pub. The two of them entered the tavern to the comical and entertaining sight of Alex and Oghern performing the dwarf's happy dance on top of the bar while all the patrons cheered them on and threw coins at them. Both of them grinned at each other as they watched the spectacle.

One of the spectator's coins accidently hit Alex in the forehead; the surprise strike caused her to lose her footing and she began to tumble off the edge of the bar. Alistair started to rush forward, but Nathaniel got there first and caught her in his arms as she tumbled down. Another loud cheer went up from the crowd. She beamed up at Nathaniel and Alistair felt a rush of jealousy. Nathaniel set her down on the ground and his hand lingered on the small of her back. Alistair felt his face flush with resentment. He wanted to dash over and push the man's hand away from her; but just then she glanced over and saw Alistair standing there. Her face light up as she rushed over to him and threw her arms around him.

"I thought for sure you left me here to make a living by dancing on top of the bar with my stout, hairy friend," Alex exclaimed.

Alistair laughed and smiled into her radiant face, "I would condemn no one to such a horrible fate."

Zevran walked over and handed Alistair and Darrian an ale. "You missed all the excitement, my friend."

"We managed to catch the last half of the show," Darrian chuckled.

"What that little display on the bar? That was nothing compared to Alex teaching Oghren how to…to… booty pop." Zev looked at Alex for confirmation that he had the correct word and she nodded.

Anders wondered up and laughed, "Yes, I need a really strong cleansing spell to get that horrific image out of my mind."

"Oh, I wouldn't go as far as to say Alex's bottom is horrific. It's just a little round, very firm, and a little too small for my taste," Oghren chimed in.

"Good grief, man, not Alex's bottom – yours! I think I will have nightmares of you trying to bounce and pop your backside. I thought your behind was being attacked by a pair of crazy nugs. Alex on the other hand, you my pet, can do that booty popping thing any time you like," Anders cooed.

They all laughed, ordered another round and spent the rest of the night relaxing and enjoying each other's company before they had to journey into Frostback Mountains.