.13 Caught

The wind furiously whipped at the shack, strengthened by the draft the now opened door provided. Besides the lashing rain and the dim lit forest there was nothing to be seen. Nonetheless, Zevran seemed to have made out enough to address their enemy accordingly.

"Tabor, what brings you to the outskirts of Val Royaux? I would have called it a pleasant surprise, if only it were so."

The elf's voice sounded charming as ever, but his stance remained low and watchful. When the intruder used a single stride to slip into the shelter Zevran twirled one of his daggers in his hand, like Elissa had seen him do many times when battle approached. Still slumped to the ground, she wished she would be able to get up, or at least have a weapon of her own to confide in. The stakes had suddenly changed from bad to worse.

The man was cloaked but had made an effort into revealing his empty belt, showing them his opened palms has he casually paced the secluded space. Entering their defense unarmed didn't only seem a mockery, but also a threat. His confidence could only mean one thing; Tabor was not alone.

Unwilling to remain close to the thin walls of the shack, Elissa slowly moved more towards the middle of the room. Inconspicuous as her matters were, it did derive a ridiculing smile. When Alistair deliberately paced in front of her, Tabor seemed willing to ignore their tactical shifting and directed his word to Zevran.

"I was here to enjoy the festivities, of course. That was, until our mistress was murdered. But since you took part in that I take it is useless to elaborate."

He pulled back his dripping hood, revealing a withered yet handsome face, adorned by black and grey-streaked curls. The smirk he carried did not only remind Elissa of Zevran; every one of the Antivan Crows seemed to be able to sport a similar nonchalant expression. Tabor's changed only the slightest when he continued.

"You seemed such a promising pupil, Zevran. May I ask what had come into you to change your loyalties?"

Zevran smiled at the ground, but chose not to provide an explanation. "It is hardly important now, Tabor. May I ask, how did you find us?"

Tabor's eyebrows shot up in surprise, yet he answered without hesitation. "It was simple. A speeding carriage at night is as easily noticed as it is followed, yet we were sidetracked when we lost it in the woods. Were it not for this man's, ah, unsubtle method of retreat, riding the same way back and disappearing from the path right in front of our eyes, I doubt if we would have found you."

"Unfortunately there are still those who underestimate the order," Zevran spoke while he shot Alistair a sideway glance. Elissa all the while stared ahead into the falling night, detecting the unnatural sources of movement in the shrubbery around them. She halfheartedly considered crawling towards Zevran to take one of his daggers to silence the urge to be able to defend herself, until Tabor's derisive voice filled the room once more.

"Certainly, but despite this man's poor choices I have to compliment you on your choice of refuge. We would have never suspected you to do otherwise but ride the coach to the harbor and make your escape there."

Alistair meanwhile seemed to have grown impatient by the change of pleasantries on behalf of his mistakes. Feeling that the situation was out of their hands, he glared at Zevran.

"It only figures that you'd like to chat up with your old mates sooner or later. What about properly introducing us while you're at it?"

"But of course," The elf spoke, seemingly missing the sting in the templar's words, "This is Tabor de la Mancha, famed for his precise aim in close combat and one of the remaining elders amongst the Antivan Crows. As you can imagine we are not usually favored with a generous lifespan; it is a risk that comes with the job."

"Your words do me no justice, Zevran Arainai. I would hope to be remembered for more than that, despite how it will prove a key point during my short stay here."

Before he continued he smiled menacingly at the elf before he averted his eyes. Then he looked down at Elissa, who had managed to sit on one knee, still swaying under the physical burden she had endured.

"And this must be Elissa Cousland, the culprit of our problems. I have to say, I imagined you with more eminence. But I do have to be fair, taking your current position into account. I see you are now one of many who befell to the effects of our poisons?"

When he slowly started to move toward her, though seemingly unthreatening, Alistair took a step forward to obscure his way.

"Ah, then you must be her noted love interest, the bastard prince. If you would have dedicated your lives to anything less daunting than chasing darkspawn you would have made quite the royal pair, I'm sure."

Still fed by his anger from previous events Alistair threw caution in the wind when he physically held the Crow to a halt. "That is one step too far," He spoke through his gritted teeth while he drew his sword between the two of them, forcing him back without room to attempt otherwise.

Immediately an arrow whistled past his ear, singing as it stuck to one of the wooden boards behind him. Elissa's sharp intake of breath was accompanied by the sound of her shuffling feet as she heaved herself up, although she was not nearly ready for combat.

As she staggered in her footsteps she seemed unsure of what to do, unsure of what she would be able to do in both body and mind. Tabor looked at her with an expression that could only be described as a mixture between disbelief and disappointment before Zevran averted his attention.

"So we have assassinated the leader of the Crows and yet you are here, despite how the price on Elissa's head is lost. I take you are not too pleased about the decease of your mistress?"

"On the contrary, it has given room for new opportunities." Tabor spoke casually, although the newfound light in his eyes revealed a higher stake than this voice intended to share. "I take you do realize this the reason for my visit, no?"

Zevran was silent for a moment, but eventually answered conformingly.

"I have to say it did not come to mind before you mentioned it earlier. As one of the mistress' confidants you do have a fair shot at leadership yourself, I envisage. The respect and experience you have gained over the years will certainly be beneficiary when making your stand in front of the counsel."

"Now your words flatter me, what an enlightening change from when I just arrived." Tabor sedately exclaimed. "But I am afraid you do me too much honor. My advancement will only bring me so far."

Tabor started to slowly pace around the limited space in the wooden shack, while Alistair remained his effort to keep the distance between the Crow and Elissa as wide as possible.

"As being the eldest present in Val Royaux during the assassination of late mistress Adriana, my position would be settled if I would bring the head of the one who ended her reign."

The words hit both Elissa and Alistair like thunder, leaving them silent in anticipation. Alistair's grip around his sword tightened, yet the stray arrow that had nearly hit him earlier proved that his stance would be folly. He looked sideways at Zevran, looking for help despite their recent differences, but to his surprise he had remained as calm as he had become earlier.

"I see your point." The elf spoke thoughtfully. "Yet you seem to forget that presenting her in front of the counsel alive to do with her as they wish, would certainly make a more vigorous impression."

Alistair almost dropped his weapon before the elf had finished his sentence. Despite how he loudly exclaimed his disbelief, the discussion continued without pause.

"On a second thought, I believe you are right," Tabor spoke with content in his voice. "But should I believe you will allow me to progress in this plan without your resistance?"

Now it was Zevran who met the Crow in disagreement. "Recent events have shown Elissa is not willing to offer me a reason to remain in her company any longer."

Elissa's eyes widened as the elf spoke. The strength she had managed to hold in her legs had already faded, yet now she sank to the floor as the last of her hope had fled. A feeling of hurt soon made place for intense despair. Despite how their friendship had unraveled into something more fragile in less than the blink of an eye, she had never expected him to simply discard her. Not now, and not ever. Had he not been her friend, despite how he had longed for something more? Had her trust in the assassin who wanted to join her cause indeed been misplaced?

"But," Zevran continued as he cautiously approached Tabor, "That does not mean I have other interests at heart."

Zevran slipped past Tabor and stepped into the fading light, smiling when he found several rugged men closing in on him while he continued his casual strut.

"Was it not I, who managed to track down the mistresses' whereabouts? Have I not infiltrated into the Warden's inner ranks and earned her trust?"

Although the Crows who had earlier lay hidden in the shadows surrounded the elf, he had obviously piqued their interest. Despite their alarming numbers and stance, Zevran confidently met their gazes, taking his time to press his point on them individually before he continued.

"You are right, Tabor. Maturity and skill alone does not earn you respect. Actions do. Leading the frontier army at the gates of Denerim against the blight, does. Showing willingness to share the riches my culling with the Grey Wardens have gotten me, does."

Zevran again looked at the responsive faces of the Crow spectators around him and smiled at Tabor.

"I think everyone here would agree I would make just a fine a leader, if not a better one, than you would."