It was a dragon.

As if fighting their way through the horrors of Haven (wasn't that name an utter joke?) wasn't enough. And then through the old temple and twisted caverns, slaughtering their way through those barking mad Disciples of Andraste, to find themselves face to face with a high dragon, who was pissed off to boot. Kolgrim had said she'd smell his blood on them. And sod if he wasn't right. The dragon was not happy. Not that she expected a dragon would be pleasant company.

Morrigan screamed something she could just barely hear over the sound of the dragon's roar. Suddenly she felt someone topple her to the ground just as a blast of frigid air streamed over her head. She saw Alistair run at the dragon out of the corner of her eye, bashing at it with this shield. The weight on top of her rolled away and she scrambled to her feet.

Zevran had knocked her down out of the path of Morrigan's spell just in time. He gave her a wink, and threw a dagger from his belt at the dragon. It flew end over end and buried itself in the creature's left eye, just as Morrigan's spell wore off. Flipping her bow from her back, Kaei nocked an arrow and let loose. Arrows sped from the longbow, one after another. It might have looked impressive, Kaei thought, but to her it seemed like everything was moving very slowly.

The dragon reared back as Alistair's sword slashed through the fragile looking membrane of it's wings. It leapt forward, towards Kaei. She let loose another arrow, but it bounced uselessly off the heavy scales on the dragon's armored head. Kaei dropped her bow to the ground and pulled her daggers, but it was futile. The dragon growled and grabbed her in its impossibly enormous maw.

Kaei saw the world flash by as the dragon flung it's head back, taking her with it. She felt teeth pierce through the thin leather of her armor. She heard someone screaming her name. There was a concussive sound and she thought she saw the air around Morrigan waver like the air over a fire. The dragon shook it's head and let her go, flinging Kaei like a leaf in a sharp wind. Kaei saw stars as she hit the ground, driving all the air out of her lungs. She struggled for breath, and tried to get up, but it felt like she was made of broken glass.

A bolt of lightning streamed from Morrigan's outstretched hands, hitting the dragon's face. She watched Alistair plunge his sword through it's ribs, tearing open a huge gash. With a scream, Zevran leapt up over him, his own longsword flashing. He landed soundly on the back of the dragon's head, and in one swift motion thrust the sword and his off hand dagger into the base of it's skull. The dragon opened it's mouth as if to roar again, but instead it felt forward abruptly. Alistair leapt out of the way.

Panting, Zevran pulled his blades. He was splattered with blood. Kaei saw Alistair spin around, frantically. He seemed to be screaming, and Kaei wondered why she couldn't hear anything. And why did he seem so far away? It felt like she was watching a scene from the top of a mountain with a spy glass.

Suddenly Morrigan was at her side, tearing the stopper from a vial of shimmering blue liquid and drinking it in one motion, grimacing. Kaei felt the strange tingle of magic. The world spun a bit. Wobbled. And then pain exploded everywhere.

Kaei screamed.

"Do something!" she heard Alistair howl. Another shiver of magic raced up Kaei's spine. And then the familiar horrid taste of one of Morrigan's healing tinctures in her mouth. Kaei fought the urge to vomit.

The world quivered again.

"Holy Maker, please don't die!" Alistair rasped.

Kaei eyes slid open and she immediately realized it was a bad idea. Her head felt like it was full of rocks and she wasn't sure there was a part of her body that didn't feel like it was on fire. She felt crushed, and it was hard to breathe.

"Not so tight, idiot!" Morrigan spat. Her voice was angry, but it had a alien note of concern. It scared Kaei to hear it. How badly was she hurt if Morrigan was worried?

The crushing feeling lessened a bit, but that didn't make it much easier to breathe. Kaei lifted her eyes. Alistair had her cradled against him. His face was pale under a mask of blood. There was a gash above his right eyebrow bleeding freely. There were clean tracks through the blood on his face. More tears, she thought. Gingerly she raised her hand and touched his cheek, her fingers gently wiping through the blood.

"Thank the Maker," he said softly. "I thought . . . ," his voice caught in his throat.

"She will live," Morrigan said. Zevran was crouched at her side; even he looked mildly distressed.

"Ah, this is good," he said. "It would not do for the Gray Warden to die without my assistance."

Morrigan glared at him. Zevran looked nonplused.

"We defeated a dragon, no? So now humor must be dead as well?" he asked, feigning innocence. Kaei thought she might smile, if her head didn't hurt so much.

Morrigan drifted to her feet effortlessly. "Come," she said. "We can't go further until she rests, and I rest as well, so I can heal her further." Alistair tried to get to his feet, but he stumbled, jostling Kaei in the process. She grunted, and ground her teeth. Shaking his head, Zevran leaned down and took Kaei from his arms, lifting her easily. The slender elf was stronger than he looked. Kaei let her head rest against his chest.

"And this one as well need some healing," Zevran said, gesturing to Alistair. "As much as it will pain you to do it."

Morrigan frowned, but resolutely handed a tincture to Alistair. He looked as if he was going to thank her, but she held up her hand to stop him. She'd do what she must, for Kaei's sake at least, but she wasn't about to bear thanks for it.

Zevran walked slowly towards the half crumbled ruin that once must have been a tower, Kaei still gently cradled against him. He could be surprisingly gentle. Not long ago, he had been ready to end her life, and now he was helping save it. Kaei wasn't sure how to reconcile that.

"I had been hoping to get you into my arms." he said softly, making sure Alistair couldn't hear. "But this is unfortunate timing, since you are likely too weak to be any fun."

Kaei chuckled. "Also too weak to put up much of a fight, as well."

"Hm," Zevran hummed. "I had not thought of that. Perhaps this is good fortune after all, no?"

"I will have a miraculous recovery, I think," she said.

Zevran laughed and kissed her forehead. "I certainly hope so."


Kaei woke and found that she was very warm and nothing hurt. All her parts felt as if they were in the right place, but she wasn't sure she wanted to open her eyes to find out. She also wasn't entirely certain how she'd gotten so contentedly warm, and since the last thing she remembered was Zevran's arms around her, she was even more disconcerted to open her eyes.

Tentatively, she slitted her eyes open. She was laying near a small fire, covered with her cloak. Her back was pressed up against something large, warm and snoring. She spotted Zevran on the other side of the fire, casually cleaning blood out from under his fingernails with the tip of his dagger. Kaei sighed and let herself relax back against the warmth behind her. Alistair made a little sleepy sound and tightened the arm he had draped over her.

Zevran looked up. "Finally awake?" he asked. Kaei smiled and it didn't hurt. Good sign. She slithered out from under Alistair's arm and sat up, when she realized all she was wearing was a shirt. And it wasn't hers.

"Not that I ever expected to ask you this," she said. "But where's my armor?"

"I'd rather hoped you would," Zevran said. "Ask me about the armor, that is. Although I imagined it would be crumpled at the foot of a fine bed in a Denerim brothel."

"Keep dreaming, Zev," she laughed. "But seriously, where is it?"

Zevran pointed to a pile at his side. "I have it right here. I did manage to patch the holes, although I did think it would look fetching to have some more skin showing in the appropriate places."

"Gorgeous, I'm sure, but somewhat less effective, don't you think?" she said blithely.

Zevran shrugged fluidly. "So practical, as ever. Where's the fun in that?"

"Am I going to have to ask you to give it to me?" Kaei asked.

"You can try," Zevran replied. "But I must decline. Although not the way I had hoped, I am interested by you wearing nothing but my shirt and I would be pleased to see you walk over here in it, nonetheless."

"Fine," Kaei said, standing up and stretching. It was nice not to feel like she was in a thousand pieces. She could feel the hem of the long shirt brushing just below the curve of her bottom. Zevran gave her an appreciative look as she walked over to collect her armor.

"Try to keep your eyes in your head," Alistair growled, finally awake. Kaei raised an eyebrow at him. He looked annoyed.

Zevran grinned maniacally. "Do not be jealous," he smirked. "I will leer at you as well, so you do not feel left out. But you are not ignorant of her charms, yes? It is too lovely a sight not to have a look, at least."

Alistair did not look amused.

Kaei maneuvered her armor on deftly under the shirt. Zevran and Alistair both watched her intently. Kaei felt vaguely like a piece of meat. Slipping the shirt off over her head, she threw it at Zevran, and it hit him in the face. He sniffed it appreciatively. Alistair grumbled.

Kaei shook her head in frustration. "Come on," she said. "Let's get going before I throttle the both of you."

They both readily complied, standing and starting to gather their small camp. Morrigan stood back and watched, leaning against the crumbling walls, looking faintly amused. Kaei walked over to her and stood beside her, mimicking her casual pose. Kaei watched Alistair intently as he fastened the buckles on his armor. She had a sudden pang of feeling that certainly wasn't love, not that it was completely unrelated. She must be healed, if watching him was bringing out that bewildering feeling again.

Morrigan gave her a look. "My, my," she said. "You still haven't."

"What?" Kaei said, looking away from Alistair suddenly and feeling her cheeks heat.

"One would think that he would have bedded you by now, but it appears I was wrong," Morrigan said bluntly.

"Did you really just say that?" Kaei looked shocked.

"I did," Morrigan chuckled. "What I can't understand is why not. You have spent more than one night . . in his tent and near enough to accomplish the deed. Unless he is . . unable."

Kaei sighed. "No, that's not the problem. Apparently, it all comes down to the Chantry."

"Is there any religion that does not rely on guilt, I wonder? No? I thought not," Morrigan said, annoyed. "Not that I understand your fascination with him, but I think it might help relieve the tension."

"Leave it be, Morrigan," Kaei said. "Although I do appreciate your intent, it isn't helping. Especially since I am more than willing."

"Perhaps I should talk to him then?" Morrigan offered, snide.

"Oh, that will help," Kaei muttered. "Help send him back to the nearest Chantry to take vows of chastity, that is."

Morrigan laughed. "Do not say I never offered to help."

"I would never say that," Kaei said, suddenly serious. "You've saved my life more than once, I would never doubt your willingness to help. I trust you."

"You trust me?" Morrigan asked, astonished. "That is unexpected."

"You are my friend, aren't you?" Kaei asked. "That's what friends do."

"I wouldn't know," Morrigan replied bluntly. "I have never had a friend before. But I am glad that you think of me as such." She paused for moment. A startling agitated look washed over Morrigan's face. "Tis only unexpected, I suppose. But if we are friends, then I do have something to ask you."

"Anything," Kaei asked. "I owe you."

"You do remember the Grimoire you found for me in the tower?"

"Of course," Kaei said, a vague feeling of unease rising in her chest.

"I had hoped it would be filled with knowledge that Flemeth did not wish me to have," Morrigan said. "And I suppose it did at that, although it is not what I expected."

"You look disturbed," Kaei said softly.

"Disturbed? Yes I suppose that is the right word for it," Morrigan continued. "This tome explains in detail how Flemeth has extended her unnatural lifespan."

"Eating babies and stealing souls?" Kaei quipped, trying to lighten the dark mood.

"That's closer than you think," Morrigan spat. "Although her spirit, with the demon, appears to be immortal, her body is not. It grows old and frail, and it can die. So when she feels this, she raises a daughter, and prepares to take that body as her own."

"You mean?"

"Yes, I recognize it all. The details on the raising and preparation of a vessel for her spirit. I recognize it, because it all happened to me. I am to be her next body," Morrigan said.

"Then what do we do?" Kaei asked. Morrigan's brows shot up.

"We?" she asked. "I . . . need you to kill her, when I am not with you. I can't guarantee that Flemeth would not take my body right then if I was nearby."

"You want me to kill Flemeth?" Kaei said.

"I see no other way," Morrigan said. "But you do not have to do anything, I have no right to ask it of you."

Kaei steeled herself. "You don't have to ask. I will do it. That is what friends do."

"I . . thank you," Morrigan said. "But first it seems we must get these magical remains, and I can only imagine that this path is not to get easier from here."

"Does it ever?" Kaei sighed.

"Indeed," Morrigan replied. "Indeed."