Chapter 19
~Mark of the assassin~

Morriana

We headed out early the next morning, after a quick breakfast, small gather of more supplies, and an explanation to Bodahn tagging along. He allowed Wynne and Leliana to ride in the cart, much to their pleasure. They slipped in, getting comfortable around the crates. Morrigan couldn't resist a hit at Alistair, which in turn lead them to bicker and to annoy the other at all costs. I stayed back with Sten. I was able to get him to talk a bit every now and then and listened as he told me of the Qun and how our chantry despises of it. Orrick trots at my feet, also interested in mine and Sten's conversation.

Alistair and I didn't seem to talk about what happed last night, but I knew that we both enjoyed it. In fact I loved it. But when he was close to me at first… all I saw was his face. But when Alistair spoke and his lips touched mine the memory just seemed to fade away, as I it was never there. I melted into him and didn't want to reform again. At first, when I started feeling a small attraction to Alistair I was terrified. But now I feel safe with him; like deep down I know he wants to protect me. I saw his reaction when he saw my scars. He was scared and confused and worried.

I smiled as I thought about our kiss. Oh they were so soft and tasted like honey and apples. I didn't want to do anything else but kiss him until my lips hurt and just keep on. But it was the first time I've ever kissed someone outside of my family. I looked up at the sky, suddenly surprised to find it near noon. Maybe if we took a break—

"Please, help me!" someone shouts, breaking me of my thoughts. I jog up to the front where Bodahn has stopped with Alistair and Morrigan. I see a woman in front of us, clothing torn and her skin dirty and her hair ragged. "They attacked the caravan! Please, you have to help!" Orrick begins to growl and I look to everyone.

"Morrigan, stay here with Bodahn and protect him and his son, in case any come here. Leliana, use that bow." They nod and Leliana takes out her bow I bought her from Owen. A gift given to me when I found Valena. "Come on." I jogged after her, the others close behind. We came to where her wagon had been turned over and the cow dead. She slowed to a walk and went up to an elf in armor. He was smirking at us, and it chilled my blood. The tattoos on his face were clearly visible, even from where we stood. He suddenly gave a signal and people appeared behind the wagon, on the cliff and right near us.

"The Grey Warden's die here!" He shouted, bringing out his blades. Our weapons quickly came out and we attacked. Alistair figured out the girl who lead us was a mage and smited her, then killed her. Leliana's shot at the archers was spot-on and Wynne froze three that threatened too close. Orrick's teeth tore open those he attacked, leaving them screaming in pain. Sten's blade swept through the rest like nothing and he displayed no emotion The elf had his sights on me and I decided to give him what he wanted. A good fight. Our weapons clashed together in attempt to hit the other.

He faked me out, finally at one point, and caught my shoulder. Through the adrenaline flowing through me, however, I didn't even notice the pain. Getting frustrated, I swiped my foot under him, causing him to fall. I stepped on his wrist so he wouldn't get his blade and help my sword to his throat. The others came up behind me.

"Talk." I demanded.

"Oh, you're rather an aggressive little minx, aren't you. Lovely too." He said with a heavy accent, a smirk growing on his face. I pressed the sword on his neck. "Alright, I see its questions you are planning to ask me, let me save you a little time and get to the point. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows, brought here for the sole purpose of slaying any surviving Grey wardens. Which I have failed at, sadly."

"Yes, it's so sad that you didn't kill me. I was looking forward to dying." I said sarcastically.

"Oh, not only are you beautiful, but a jester too." He replied with a chuckle. My cheeks feel slightly warm but I ignore it. "I like those." I hear Alistair's agitated sigh behind me and decided if I keep delaying then this guy might die before we get a chance to hear everything.

"What are the Antivan Crows?" I ask.

"I can tell you that." Leliana chimes behind me. "They are an order of assassins. Very powerful, and renowned for getting the job done." Yep, they totally get the job done. I mean, just look at me! "Someone went to great expense to hire this man."

"Loghain." Alistair mumbled under his breath. Even though we cant really know it for sure, I fell like he is right.

"So you came all this way from Antiva?" I asked.

"Not precisely. I was in the neighborhood when the offer came. The Crows get around, you see."

"So who did hire you?"

"A rather taciturn fellow in the capital. And, yes," he looked over at Alistair, it was Loghain." Alistair growled behind me. "But I have no idea what his issues are with you two. The usual, I imagine. You threaten his power, yes?"

"So are you loyal to him?"

"No I am not loyal to him. I was contacted out of service."

"And why are you just telling us this?" Alistair asks, stepping up.

"And why not? I wasn't paid for silence. Come to this of it I wasn't really pain at all." Zevran chuckled.

"Aren't you are loyal to your employers?" Leliana asked.

"Loyalty is and interesting concept. Now, if you're done interrogating me, we can discuss it further." My brows knitted together as to what he meant. "Here's the thing: I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit. That's how it works. If you don't kill me, the Crows will. So let me serve you instead." I scoffed.

"Can I expect the same loyalty out of you?" I asked.

"I happen to be a very loyal person. So yes, you can expect me to be loyal."

"And what's to stop you from killing us later?"

"Nothing, really. But, since I failed to kill you the first time, the Crows would still kill me." I sighed.

"I don't know."

"And why not? I can do many things. Shine armor, fend off unwanted suitors, pick locks" His voice then got deeper and more flirtatious. "Warm your bed, give excellent massages." I stayed quiet a moment. He can fight, and will remain loyal, I suppose. I guess he could be useful. I moved the sword from his throat and sheathed it, also stepping off his wrist.

"Very well, Zevran. You can come with us."

"What?!" Alistair exclaimed. "You're taking the assassin with us now?!"I turned to him.

"He can be useful. We might need him." Alistair looks at me, his arms crossed and is obviously displeased. He then looks down at the assassin, who flashes him a smile.

"Alright I suppose I see your point. Although is there was a sign we were desperate he could have just knocked on the door and said 'hello'." I chuckled before turning back to Zevran and helped him up.

"I hereby pledge my oath of loyalty to you, until such a time as you choose to release me from it. I am your man, without reservation…this I swear." He pleaded with a bow.

"Um…" I looked at him confused. "Sure. Thanks." I turned back around to the others. "Alistair and Sten, go and make sure Bodahn, Sandal, and Morrigan are alright and find a way for them to get around this tree. Leliana, there are no doubt more traps around here. Disable them. Wynne…" I stopped once I noticed that she looked ill. "Just sit for a moment, alright." She nodded and sat on one of the rocks. "Zevran, help me go through these people's pockets."

"Of course, bello." He said in his flirtatious voice. I sighed and shook my head, and began to rummage through the pockets.

Alistair

Night fell faster than we expected. Picking a fine place to camp we all started falling into our camp placement ritual. Bodahn and his son set up their camp a bit away from us, and Morrigan even further. Through Bodahn's discount for Morriana she got another tent, a bedroll, and a blanket for the assassin. I, for one, didn't trust him at all. At first sign he would do something I'd kill him without hesitation. I wouldn't mind doing that now, but I suppose Morriana was right when she said we'd need him.

I just finished making my tent when I glance at Morriana sitting on the ground next to her soon-to-be –put-up tent. I walk over. She sits on her heels, her hands in her lap.

"You okay?" I ask. She looks up at me.

"Yeah, just… a headache." Her voice sound shallower than before and there is a darker look in her eyes. I kneel down beside her, taking off my gauntlet, and press my hand on her head. The moment my hand is on her head I can feel it burning.

"Maker's breath, I think you have a fever." I say in surprise. She seemed fine before. "Wait, were you hurt in the ambush?" She stays quiet for a moment then looks down at her shoulder. I do too and see the cut on her shoulder. "Wynne!" I call out. She comes rushing over and drops to her knees. She ran a scan over Morriana and shook her head.

"Alistair, the blade was poisoned." She told me. I stood and stomped over to where the assassin was sitting.

"Morriana's been poisoned by your blade." Him hummed his response.

"Yes, I figured as much when I got a hit at her." He said, unconcerned. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Fix her, or you will die in the most worst way you could ever think so." Zevran chuckled.

"No need, my friend. There was only enough poison on the blade so sicken and weaken my opponent so they would not be much of a challenge when I tortured them. She should be fine in a day or so. Two at most and then she'll be on her feet like it never happened." I don't believe him one bit. But… I know for a full fact that if she died then I would have Morrigan bring him back to life—if she could do that, anyway—and then let the others kill him. I dropped him, deciding I was done talking to him. He landed gracefully and straitened his armor. I walked back to where Wynn was.

"Alistair, please move her into your tent so that I may heal her." I nodded and lifted her like she was nothing. She moaned in my arms and leaned her head on my shoulder. Had this been any other time I would have blushed. But I pushed it aside and set her down on my already made bedroll. Wynne came in after, with Morrigan not far and I left the tent, leaving them to heal her as much as they could.

YAY! Our ridiculously awesome elf-assassin has arrived! And partially poisoned Mori… but he has arrived!

And sorry, xMsAnaviax, but no, that is not the answer. ;) The question is still open, though.