Stepping into the hallway, she peered left and right. Hmm. There's no one there. Guess I must be tired and hearing things. It was normal for Sicilia to mistake noises when she was tired. She thought nothing of it and promptly got into bed to drift off to sleep.
Haiden let out a breath, relieved as he heard the sound of the door closing. What was I thinking? He had come so close to knocking, but at the last moment, he couldn't do it. I can't just say it bluntly. I'll tell her, but not right now…it's late. Haiden thought of these excuses as he descended the stairs of the inn.
It wasn't that Sicilia couldn't get jobs; it was that she hadn't been looking. With everything that had been going on with the Arishok and his tome, she never took the time. After talking to her third lead that day, she finally caught a break.
Borgis, a burly man of an unknown trade, needed someone to be a middle man. Borgis was of higher class, but brought in coin from side jobs. Sicilia didn't need to know the details, just a name, time, and place. The man had made a comment that sparked an interest. Tevinter mage. Borgis had plans and needed someone to pick it up. The mage would be bringing a slip of parchment with a request and an offer; she was not to see it and only bring the parchment to him without saying a word to the mage.
Once Sicilia knew a Tevinter mage was involved, she knew she needed to look at this parchment. If it contained anything that related to the tome, she would need to question him further. If he's a mage, I may need help. Haiden came to mind. The pickup was at midnight near the North gates. Sicilia had decided to wait until their evening meeting at the coast to ask.
Haiden sat alone. He was waiting impatiently for Sicilia. Markl had already left. It wasn't late; Haiden had just asked to be alone with Sicilia for the night. Markl, understandingly, agreed, but told Haiden that he would be at the tavern if they needed him.
This sort of thing was hard for him, telling a woman that he liked her. He'd done it before, yes, but that was a long time ago and she was Dalish so, it hadn't been hard. Haiden felt that Dalish girls weren't complex, that they desired only a man who could provide for and protect their family. Haiden, much like a human, desired love. He didn't want a peaceful life; he wanted adventure and a woman who would want the same.
After his near encounter with her the previous night, he couldn't sleep. He was awake the whole night thinking of her. It was her spirit that had captured him. Perhaps, it had been that first evening they met. Haiden wasn't exactly sure which event had sparked his interest more, their sparing in the sunset or her brave confrontation with the Arishok. This woman completely baffled him.
Haiden continued to wait, fiddling with the metal on his armor; it was a nervous tick. He usually didn't get nervous, but the likelihood of rejection made his fingers go straight to the filigree.
Stepping onto sand, she noticed that Haiden was alone. I wonder where Markl is. Maybe he had a job, too. She didn't think much of it. Haiden glanced behind him; a soft smile crossed his face.
"Where's Markl?" she asked as she sat down next to him.
"He said he had something to do. He didn't say what though." He sat rubbing the thin metal detail on his gauntlet.
"Oh. Well, I have a favor to ask. Would you come with me on this job I have tonight? I was supposed to be a simple pick up, but the guy mentioned 'Tevinter mage.' I want to question him, but I, honestly, don't want to go alone just in case."
"Sure." The two sat in silence for a moment. Realizing he needed to speak, he opened his mouth, but was cut short.
"You know, I've only seen you use magic once before. You don't seem to use it much."
He let out a nervous laugh. "I use it sometimes. You just don't see it. What I use most of the time is simple force magic. I'll use it to make hits with my staff more damaging. I know other magic, but I've just always been one for close combat." Remembering a small bit of healing magic, he said, "Let me see your hand?"
Sicilia held out her hand. Laying his own underneath hers, he smiled. She could feel a tickle in the center of her palm. She gasped as she saw small, winding, ethereal vines curling around her fingers. The effects were almost cooling, like mint. She watched closely as the vines began to braid into an intricate design on the top of her hand. Some of the vines had grown small ivy-like leaves and the braid had begun to grow a bud, which opened into a bright pink flower.
Haiden laughed at her reaction as he took his hand away. She watched as the vines began to disappear. "What was that?" She was amazed. She'd never seen anything like it before.
"It's just small healing magic. I learned it from a Dalish woman who used it to heal children. It always calmed them down because it was beautiful. It really has no purpose beyond healing small cuts and bruises."
"That's amazing," she said in utter awe. "Next time I cut myself, I'll come to you!" They both laughed. The sun had nearly set. Their conversation on magic would extend for two hours before they would head towards the Northern gates.
The night air was cool against her skin. As they neared the area where the meeting was to take place, Sicilia could feel dampness in the air. Rain must be coming. Rounding the corner, she could make out the silhouette of a man, but something wasn't right. There were more men, Qunari men. The Beresaad. As she and Haiden approached, the mage brought out his staff and the Qunari drew their swords. This is not good.
She broke into a run, but before she could stop the mage, he called forth over twenty shades while keeping himself shielded from any damage the Qunari could throw his way. The Beresaad were surrounded, but they sliced through the shades with ease. As Haiden and Sicilia entered the battle, more shades formed. A black smoke emanated from them, leaving a trail as they moved.
The shades were difficult to dispose of; if her blade did not hit the correct area in the center of their bodies, the steel would simply be slicing through air. A third army of shades had been called, but Haiden took the chance while the mage's shield was down to throw him back with a burst of force magic. This time Sicilia could see the waves hitting the man's body, sending him flying into the stone wall behind him.
The mage had been knocked unconscious, but many of the third army of shades remained. One Qunari had been taken down by the asphyxiating effects of the smoke. The Ashaad, who was trying to fight off three of the shades, was beginning to wheeze. Sicilia noticed this and immediately went to his aid, reliving him of two of the shades.
As the last was being killed, she walked over to the mages body and began searching for the parchment. Tucked just inside his robe, was the request. She unfolded it and skimmed its contents.
"Why did you interfere, Basra?" the Ashaad asked calmly.
"Had I not, you would've died. I came here for this," she held up the wrinkled parchment. "I was sent to pick this up. After hearing he was a Tevinter mage, I decided that I would question him about the tome, but it seems he has no connection."
"How do you know this?"
"Because this request is not for the tome. It's for lyrium, red lyrium." She sighed, relatively disappointed. She had hoped to have finally found a clue.
"Who is to say that he does not already have the tome?" The Ashaad seemed annoyed.
"If he had the tome, he wouldn't have stuck around after you show up; he would've just ran." The grimace on the Qunari's face admitted defeat. "As for this mage," she paused to think. "Did you mention the tome to him?"
"I asked what needed to be asked," he said taking the sword from the fallen Qunari.
"Then we should just kill him. If we leave him alive, he could say something about it to someone else. Besides, we don't need someone else getting a hold of red lyrium; not after what happened in the Free Marches." Haiden bent down by the mage's side. Sicilia nodded and tossed one of her daggers to him. He left a clean slice across his neck and wiped the blood off using the mage's robe.
"Tell the Arishok that we do have a lead. He'll return to town in less than a week; we'll question him then." She spoke softly as she took the dagger from Haiden's hand. "Panahedan."
As they left, Haiden whispered, "Do you think we pissed them off?"
"Oh, no doubt."
A/N: For those who don't know, red lyrium is from Dragon Age 2. It is what made Knight Commander Meredith crazy and powerful. It makes people crazy, really crazy.
Also, for those who aren't familiar, Qunari do not care about the bodies of their dead. They've already returned to the Qun when they die. However, they treat a Qunari sword the way we would treat a soul. You never let anyone handle your sword, you don't sell it, trade it, or give it away. When you die, your sword is returned to the Qun.
NOTE: I'm nearing the end, I just finished writing chapter 21. I have at least 5 or 6 more chapters planned, but I have been coming up with ideas for my next fanfic. I created a poll listing some of my ideas on my profile. I'd like an opinion. If anyone has any requests or other ideas, let me know! I can't promise that I'll want to do them, but I like knowing what readers want.