Their conversation had continued past sundown. The Arishok described how the seas smelled fresher, the air felt cooler, and the sky was clearer. In his eyes, Par Vollen was better in every way. Sicilia could hear how homesick he was. She wondered if it had been a good idea for him to talk about it.

When she had put her boots back on to leave, she had said, "Panahedan." The Arishok had said nothing in return. The night had been oddly wonderful. A word had come to mind as she laid in her bed at the inn. Romantic. Shaking her head free of the thought, she questioned herself. What? No. Why did I think that? Sicilia thought about the way he looked when he closed his eyes. Most people would see the massive creature with horns like a demon. What she saw was different. What she saw was a misunderstood and beautiful man.

Could it be that I like the Arishok? She played with the thought for a moment. Good thing Gwen is off tomorrow. That's only a conversation to be had between girls.

I have been away from Par Vollen for far too long. That is it. The Arishok paced in his tent. A growl escaped his throat. He didn't understand how he could've let himself stay there and talk with a human female of all things. In Par Vollen, he had always talked with the Triumvirate. When they would meet, the three of them would always have conversations about the world, about life.

No, this was different. This woman reminded him of home. Her ideas were the same as the Qun. During their conversation, he had felt almost at peace. It was like he was home again, like the relic had never been stolen. It had felt…right. No, why am I thinking that? Parshaara! It is just that I have been stuck in the midst of bas for too long. That is it!

"What's wrong?" Markl asked. He had watched Haiden down half a bottle of whiskey already.

"Just tell me that I'm a fool," he slurred. He had come straight to the tavern after leaving the coast.

"You still haven't told her?"

"I had planned to show her." His eyes were fixed on the amber liquid. He then fixed his stare on Markl beneath a heavy brow. "The Arishok wouldn't like a human, would he?"

Markl lifted an eyebrow. "So that's what this is about. You saw them on the coast and you thought the worst. You really are a fool."

"I'm serious, Markl. They weren't arguing; they were talking and," he paused to take another gulp, "laughing. Well, she was laughing. She gave him my sandwich!"

Markl coughed, nearly choking on his ale. "Damn it, Haiden. Listen, I don't know what the Arishok would do and it doesn't matter. What matters is that you tell her how you feel before you drown yourself in whiskey."

"I don't know how and I fear that telling her will only cause problems, either make things awkward between us or cause her more stress than she already has. What if she likes him?"

"If you want, I can tell her for you."

"No! It's something that I need to do, but I don't think I can do it now with everything that's going on. It would be best to wait until it's all over, right?"

"Think about what she told us before, Haiden. What if you never get the chance?"

Haiden turned the bottle up once more. "I'm not going to let that happen."

The tavern was fairly empty that evening. The sun was still high, but setting fast. It had been a while since she and Gwen had talked. She never told her anything involving the relic, only that she was busy with something important. It wasn't that she didn't trust her friend, but Gwen had a tendency to run her mouth.

"Gwen?" She pushed the meat around her plate.

"Hmm?" Gwen managed to answer past a mouth full.

"I'm having a…personal issue that I think I need your help with."

Gwen's eyes lit up. "Oh? Is it one of those men you've been hanging around lately? Tell me, is it the half-elf or the other one?" She was boiling over with questions. It was rare that Sicilia had romantic problems. Ok, it never happened. True, she had been with men in Ayesleigh, but not romantically. Everything with her was "no strings attached." Sicilia had often told her that she never wanted to marry.

"Not really. I don't even know what it is. He just makes me so frustrated! Not that kind of frustrated, though. We argue every time we meet, except for last night. It's like I saw a whole new side to him. I don't know!" She pushed aside her plate and rested her head on the warm wood table.

"Are you having trouble sleeping?" Gwen smiled sweetly.

"What?"

"Just answer the question."

"Yes."

"Because you think of him?"

"Yes."

"And you've hardly eaten…"

"Yeah?" It was a question; Sis had hardly noticed that her plate was still full.

"You have mixed feelings about him, but a part of you likes the fact that he makes you angry? You want to punch and kiss him at the same time? You want to know everything about him?" Sicilia simply lifted her head. Gwen was eating calmly as she spoke. "Since I'm guessing you haven't know him that long, I'm not sure I would say it's love just yet, but it's definitely a like a lot situation."

Sicilia groaned. "Great."

"So what's the problem? Is he already taken?"

"No, it's not that. I don't think it's possible for him to feel that way about me."

"How so? You're beautiful and strong. Is it that he doesn't like women who own weapons?

"I don't know what kind of women he likes. More than likely, he only likes women of his own race."

"So he's not human. Well, that's something. If you tell me what he is, I can give you some idea as to what they like."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Are you embarrassed?" she laughed.

"No, I just…I don't know."

"Come on, Sis. I won't say anything. I may be bad at gossiping, but even I know not to say anything involving you."

"Well," she thought a moment, "he's sort of…a Qunari."

"Ohhh, like with horns and everything? Like in the Qun or Tal'vashoth?" Obviously, Gwen was excited now.

"Yes, and he's in the Qun." She had returned her head to the table.

"Well, I honestly don't know much, but I do know that the Qun doesn't marry. They have singular, life-long mates. I still don't see the big problem. They're straightforward people. If he doesn't like you in that way, he'll tell you. Granted, the typical Qunari don't mate with humans, but there are some depending on your worthiness."

"But he's sort of the Qunari…"

"What do you mean?"

"He's…the Arishok."

A/N: I decided to post this chapter a day early since I actually finished the whole story last night…actually at 5 this morning lol. It's a total of 25 chapters and I can't wait to post them all for you. I'm still going over a couple chapters, editing some bits, and my beta is doing her beta thing. My beta is the shiz! Oh, and there's still a poll on my profile for my next fanfic and reviews are always nice! ^_^

Parshaara - "enough."