Torin, Kellin, and Zynalla had arrived back at Kellin's rooms around nine bells. Zy offered to stay long enough to help get the prince settled for the night, but Torin told her to go home. He would take care of Kellin, and they would see her in the morning at seven since she had stayed so late. Zy reluctantly agreed and left the palace for the night.
As Torin was bathing Kellin and getting him in his nightshirt before the fireplace, he felt more and more jumpy and uneasy. He told Kellin one of his favorite bedtime stories about the Dalish elves of old while holding him on his lap in front of the fire before he took Kellin to bed. He found himself taking Kellin to his bed instead of the prince's. Kellin was still adjusting to palace life, and even when he started the night in his own bed, he usually ended up in Torin's before the night was through as he frequently woke up from nightmares of a bad man after him. Torin told Kellin they were going to have a sleep-over party, just the two of them, and Torin tucked Kellin into his small bed. Kellin was happy enough to comply.
Torin picked up his night clothes and headed back out to the much larger room. As Kellin's chambers were the queen's old quarters, it had its own attached wash room, but he and Kellin were most comfortable just bathing in front of the fire like they used to when they lived with the Dalish. He washed up using the water that was left over from Kellin's bath and changed. He poked his head in his room, but Kellin was sound asleep. Torin still felt uneasy and wandered all the rooms of the suite, checking that everything was as it should be.
Eventually, he went back to his own room and snuggled up to the warmth of Kellin in his bed. Torin could smell the sweet clean scent of Kellin's hair from the soap he had used to wash it. He continued to lay awake, unable to shake whatever was keeping him from sleep.
Elandria and Zevran ran as fast as they could through the halls of the palace and up the stairs to the third floor where the royal suite was located. Zevran was feeling the effects of the weeks on ship as he hadn't done anything physically demanding during that time, but he refused to fall behind and pushed himself harder to keep up with Elandria's adrenaline-induced speed. The halls were empty as most of the servants were down on the lower floors helping with the reception.
When they turned the corner to the doors to Kellin's part of the suite, Elandria could see the two men that were on duty. She ran to the man standing by the bedroom door and then stopped, breathing heavily. "Any trouble?" she snapped.
"No, Warden, all has been quiet."
"Both of you be sharp. There was an attempt on the king's life tonight." The men showed shock in their expressions, but immediately exuded a much higher degree of attention to watching the halls than before.
Elandria's two guards ran up out of breath as they hadn't been able to keep up with the fleeter elves. "Stay here both of you and help guard the outer doors," she commanded with a special telling look at Niall. "We'll call if we need help."
"Let me go first," said Zevran.
Elandria nodded. Zevran glided soundlessly up to the door, trying to listen for what was happening on the other side. All was quiet. He slowly eased the door open without a sound and then waited before pushing it any further. No noise came from the room. Zev nudged the door just enough to slip inside. He sensed the flash of movement to the side of him at the same time he felt a dagger slid against his throat.
"Don't move," came a male voice.
"Don't move yourself," Zevran replied, with the point of his dagger at the other man's stomach.
Elandria came through the door allowing light to filter in from the candles outside at the guard stations. "Stand down both of you," she commanded. "Torin, where's Kellin?" she asked urgently.
"He's in my bed sleeping."
Zevran removed his dagger as Torin slowly allowed his to fall away from Zevran's throat. Elandria rushed through into Torin's room and almost fell on the bed in relief. Kellin was sleeping deeply curled up on his side with one hand thrown out towards her. She watched as his chest rose and fell. Elandria reached out and touched his hand but didn't disturb him. She went back out into the main room of Kellin's suite.
Zevran and Torin had moved towards the middle of the room but were still eyeing each other mistrustfully. "Zevran, this is Torin. He is Kellin's protector. Torin, this is Zevran. You've heard enough about him over the years."
Torin's face lit up in interest. "Zevran, the assassin?" he asked.
Zevran chuckled. "I see my reputation precedes me. Zevran Arainai, at your service," he said with a flourish.
While Torin and Zevran were getting acquainted, Elandria's eye fell on a bundle on the floor by Kellin's bed. She walked over to investigate. When she realized it was a body, she turned quickly to Torin. "What happened?" she asked sharply.
"After we came back from dinner and I had Kellin ready for bed, I was restless so I put him in mine. I finally turned in myself, but couldn't sleep. I laid awake for awhile and then I heard a thump from this room. I got up and eased in here. Whoever he was, he came in through the window. In the dim light from outside, I saw him moving there by Kellin's bed. When I saw the flash of light off the dagger, I didn't even think about it. I-I killed him," Torin finished abruptly as his face paled.
Zevran looked at the young elf and said with sympathy, "Ah, your first kill, no?"
Torin just nodded.
Elandria examined the body. Torin had stabbed the man in the back with a single thrust. As Elandria looked at Kellin's bed, her face blanched when she saw a dagger thrust through the pillow. All sympathy she felt for the assassin's death disappeared. "Torin, you saved Kellin twice, once by putting him in your bed and then by killing this man. By coming here to kill an innocent child, he got what he deserved. You did nothing wrong."
Zevran moved over to examine the body and the dagger. He rifled through the assassin's clothes, but there were no clues to his identity. He carefully pulled the dagger from the pillow examining the blade closely. "I would make sure this pillow is safely discarded," he said.
Elandria's gaze snapped to Zevran's face. "Poison?" she inquired.
Zevran nodded.
Elandria let out a breath refusing to let her mind start drafting pictures of what would have happened if Torin hadn't been here to protect Kellin. "Torin, get your armor on. I'm going to get mine and then we are all going back to Alistair. Zev, fill Torin in on what happened while I'm gone." With that, Elandria turned to the door that connected to her and Alistair's room and went through. She spared a thought to wish that the new armor Master Wade had promised her was finished, but her leather armor that she wore while in the forest that Master Varathorn had crafted for her would suffice. She quickly entered the arms room where space had been made for her gear as well. She shed the hated dress, dug out a set of the light linen underclothes she wore underneath from a chest, and then rapidly donned her armor. She placed Spellweaver on her back and with an attitude of defiance grabbed her staff as well. When she turned around, Gabriel was there looking at her almost reproachfully.
"Coming with me?" she asked him.
He just gave a short growl in response, which she interpreted as, "Just try and stop me."
She stroked a hand lovingly down his head. "Thanks, boy," was all she said as she turned back one last time to retrieve Starfang and its sheath to take back to Alistair. She wasn't sure he would really need the sword, but it never paid not to be prepared.
As she left the arms room, she noticed that the servants had set up what was supposed to be a romantic setting for her and the king in the main bedchamber portion of their quarters. She couldn't help feeling some regret as this was her wedding night, and all the happiness that should have been hers and Alistair's had been pushed aside by the night's events.
When Elandria and Gabe returned to Kellin's room, the two elven men had been joined by a guard that Hugh had sent to let them know where the king had been taken. Torin was just buckling on his last piece of armor and Zevran had finished telling him about the assassination attempt on Alistair. Torin lifted his head and looked at her. She could see the serious expression on his face. He pulled the dagger sheaths that she had given him the day of the Lenayath on his back and nodded to her.
Elandria handed Starfang to Zevran. "I'll carry Kellin," she said and went into Torin's room to retrieve the little boy. She hated to disturb him but picked him up gently. She settled him against the chest piece of her armor. Kellin was sleeping so deeply, he didn't even wake. She returned to the outer room. "Ready?" she asked.
Both men nodded to her. Torin went to the door to command the guards. "Surround the prince," he ordered. As Elandria exited carrying Kellin the seven men encircled the two of them. Torin took point with one of his daggers in his hand and Gabriel beside him while Zevran fell in to the rear as they headed back to the first floor and Alistair.
First person Alistair
After Lanie left the dining room, Hugh made ready to relocate us. I went along willingly but unthinkingly. My whole concentration was on the third floor of the palace and imagining what was taking place there.
"This way, your Majesty," said Hugh at my elbow. I looked up from my daze to see that we were in the hallway outside my study. "I've already had this room checked. You're safe here," he said.
"Thank you, Hugh," I said absently as the two of us and Wynne entered the room. The other guards were stationed outside the door. "Send someone to Kellin's quarters so Lanie knows where we are," I ordered.
"I already have, Sire," Hugh assured me. "They should all be back here any time."
"I hate this, Hugh. I should be with them, not hiding like some old man worried about my own skin," I spat out and started to angrily pace the room. My worry for Kellin and Lanie was like shards of glass in my stomach as it churned and growled.
"I know you feel that way, your Majesty, but you know your place is here," he replied. "I'm sure the Warden will keep the prince safe."
"Yes, Alistair," added Wynne reassuringly. "You know Elandria and Torin wouldn't let anything happen to Kellin."
I wasn't comforted, but realized that until Lanie returned I wouldn't learn any more. The door to my study swung open as Eamon rushed into the room followed by a few members of the council. "Thank the Maker, you're all right," he said with heartfelt relief.
"More like, thank Elandria," came Wynne's tart reply. She spun to face Hugh. "You do realize she did your job tonight, don't you?"
"Peace, Wynne," I said. "It's not Hugh's fault."
"She's right," admitted Hugh in a low voice. "I failed you, Sire. I recommend Adair to replace me."
"Don't be daft, man," I said in exasperation. "I'm not replacing you. No one can guarantee someone's safety twenty-four hours a day, not even you, Hugh."
My eyes turned to the door before they even came through it, as I could almost feel their-her presence on the other side. My heart lurched when she came in carrying our sleeping son. Whatever else had happened tonight, she was back. This was my Lanie. That presence of command she had carried all through the Blight and which she seemed to have lost somewhere over the past four years was lying strong on her shoulders now. She had changed out of her wedding dress and donned her armor. To see her striding across the room with her staff and Spellweaver on her back and Kellin safe in her arms loosened something clenched tight inside me. I was pulled to them like iron to a magnet. She was my center, the source of my strength. In the months we had shared a tent and fought the Blight together while traversing the length and width of Ferelden, a bond had formed between us that tied us together still, regardless of the events of the past few years. She was the one person who always saw the real me, no matter what mask I wore and the one person I could be myself with. I met Lanie halfway across the room and wrapped both of them in my arms, being careful not to squeeze Kellin too tightly between us. I could scarcely believe he was still sleeping. Lanie leaned her head against my chest for just a brief moment, an acknowledgment of all there was between us, and then she stepped back.
"Here," she said. "Take him. It can't be very comfortable for him against my armor." She loosely held him while I reached out and transferred Kellin gently from her body to mine. I couldn't resist hugging him against me and stroking his hair, rejoicing in his warmth and the sweet scent rising from his child's body. He snuggled his face against my chest, but didn't wake, and his breathing soon settled back into a steady rhythm.
"Anything happen with Kellin?" I asked her, not paying any attention to anyone else in the room. Zevran, Torin, and Gabe had come in with Lanie and the others were talking, but all my concern was for my wife and son.
By the way her face darkened, I could tell right away I wasn't going to like what I was about to hear. "Torin saved Kellin twice, Alistair. An assassin had plunged a poisoned dagger through Kellin's pillow and Torin backstabbed him and killed him. Luckily, Torin had put Kellin to bed in his bed instead of Kellin's own."
I couldn't help but clutch Kellin tighter at those words. The anger that someone had tried, not just to hurt my boy, but to actually kill him rushed through my veins and brought every protective instinct I had to the surface. Lanie saw it and laid her hand gently on my arm.
"I know what you feel, Alistair. I feel it as well, but channel the rage, don't let it consume you," she said quietly.
I knew she was right, but the thought that someone had tried to kill the sweet child in my arms made me almost physically sick.
"We'll find out who it was and they will pay. Concentrate on that," she advised.
By this time, Zevran had drifted up beside Lanie and Wynne was standing beside me. Funny how old patterns reassert themselves when trouble raised its ugly head. Zevran made to hand Starfang to me, but I motioned with my head for him to lay it on my desk. I certainly didn't expect to need my sword with all the guards Hugh had stationed outside this room and the well-armed contingent inside it with me.
Eamon said, "Here, your Majesty. You can lie the prince down here." He was indicating a soft chair that was situated under the window of my study.
"Not right now, Eamon. I prefer to keep him with me," I said. I didn't want to put him down. I knew Kellin was safe as long as I was holding him. I walked over to the edge of my desk and leaned against the front of it. I saw Torin following me and place himself beside the desk off to one side so he could keep an eye on Kellin. I made a note to myself to thank him privately later. He had certainly earned my gratitude tonight.
"Fine, let's talk," I said, taking charge of the room and drawing everyone's attention back to me. "Who is behind these attempts and why?"
"It was an attempt to wipe out the Theirin bloodline," declared Wynne, well used to speaking her mind.
"Timed to try and disguise that fact," put in Zevran.
"If it had really been about you marrying an elf or mage, there should have been an attempt on my life, not yours and Kellin's," added Lanie.
"Who stands to gain the most if Kellin and I are removed?" I asked looking at Eamon.
"Theoretically, you made Teagan your heir before Kellin was born. He would have a claim for the kingship, even more now that he is the Arl of Redcliffe, but the only other real contenders for the throne would be one of the teyrns," Eamon said.
"What about the Chantry?" Lanie asked.
I was shocked. "Why the Chantry?"
Sister Elizabeth was affronted and broke in before Lanie could reply, "How absurd! What would the Chantry hope to gain from removing King Alistair and most especially the young prince?"
"I'm not sure, but I do know one of my guards is a templar who used Holy Smite on me after I cast that Force Field spell on Alistair. If he had hit me before I was able to release the spell and if the shot were well enough placed that Wynne couldn't have healed him, this would be a very different meeting right now."
More than one face in the room went pale at that thought.
"Even so. Having you watched is a far cry from trying to assassinate the king and his son," retorted the sister.
"That's very true," Lanie acknowledged calmly, but then leaned towards the woman with a warning blazing from her eyes as her voice dropped even softer. "You had just best hope I don't find out your precious Chantry was behind the attempt on my son."
Sister Elizabeth recoiled back a bit in surprise and then seemed to gather herself. "Well, I don't have any worries then, do I? We would never be a party to this sort of attack on a reigning monarch or a helpless child."
"Enough," I said to both women. "Lanie, we don't have any evidence it was the Chantry." I turned my attention to the sister. "I see I'll be having another interesting interview with the Revered Mother," I said to try to defuse the situation.
"I believe I shall join you for that, Alistair," said Lanie as she crossed her arms and dropped back on her heels in a stance I knew only too well, one that meant she intended to have her way.
"Well, that is a concern for later," I said, neither agreeing or disagreeing. "Back to the discussion at hand." My eyes fell on Zevran who had been following the conversation between the two women with a slight smirk of the lips. I knew he had no real love of the Chantry either. He nodded his head slightly when he saw me looking at him.
"Zevran, do you have something to contribute?" I asked.
"I examined both bodies and the equipment the assassins carried. I have a suspicion, but no solid proof," Zevran stated.
"Just tell us what you think," I said.
"I don't know if there is any truth to the tale, but I will tell you what I was once told by an older Crow when I was young. There are rumors of a small guild of assassins hidden away in the Anderfels. They are called the Asps and they always use poisons made of venom in their kills. I have never actually come across one before, but," he paused at this and took out the pieces of the crossbow he had taken from the assassin who had tried to kill me. He quickly assembled the weapon. It was small, beautiful, and deadly. He showed us a small mark on the prod itself. "I think this represents the head of a snake or an asp and the bolt I removed from it was poisoned," he finished.
"That sounds expensive," commented Eamon. "I mean, to bring in someone from the Anderfels, especially if it is as small an organized group as you said."
"It has to be someone who has knowledge of you, Alistair," said Wynne.
"Because of your friendship with Zevran, the Crows would have been dangerous to approach. Word could have leaked back to you," added Lanie.
"Yes, that makes sense," I agreed. "But it is well known that Zev traveled with us during the time of the Blight and that we were friends. Almost anyone could have that information, and his Crow association is an open secret."
Lanie looked at me with a troubled expression.
"What?" I asked her.
"How about Gwaren?" she asked. As a protest rose to my lips, she held up a hand to forestall me. "The son was in Tevinter, which is right next to the Anderfels, and he is mysteriously absent tonight."
I narrowed my eyes in thought as I considered all the interactions I have had with Ranald over the years. Finally, I shook my head, "No, it doesn't feel right."
"What if it isn't one of your sodding nobles?" asked Gorim. "Is there anyone else who would want you and your young'un dead… your Majesty," he added as an afterthought.
I looked at Eamon. "I know you and Hugh periodically meet to discuss security and perceived threats. Why don't the two of you get together a list and then we can go over it sometime tomorrow. Hugh, what do you think about judiciously bringing Captain Kylon in on what is happening and see if he has any information?"
"That's an excellent idea, Sire," said Hugh. "He's a good man to have on your side."
"For right now, it's getting late tonight and I'm sure we all want to find our beds," Maker, do I want to find my bed, but it's certainly not going to be the night I had planned.
"Your Majesty, you know we will have to discuss upgraded security precautions," stated Hugh.
"I know. Tomorrow will be soon enough," I said with a sigh. That was the last thing I wanted, but I knew it would be necessary. I wasn't willing to take any chances on Kellin's life, and now that I had so much to live for, I really didn't want anything to happen to me either.
"Alistair," said Lanie quietly with a nod to Kellin. She mouthed keep secret to me.
"Oh, right. Obviously, the attempt on me is public knowledge. I want to keep the one on Kellin a secret. No one outside this room right now knows about this. I expect it to stay that way," I said as I swept my gaze around everyone present.
Zevran offered, "I'll take care of the body and getting it out of the palace. I'll go right now before any guards are back at their posts on the doors."
Zevran turned to leave, but stopped when I spoke to him, "Zev," I said. "Would you come back to the palace tonight?"
Zevran raised an eyebrow, but said, "Of course."
"I want you to stay in Kellin's room. He's going to be in with Lanie and me tonight." I glanced at Lanie, but she just nodded. I was sure we would both sleep better knowing that he was safe with us and that Zev would be close.
"I'll return as soon as I'm finish my task," Zevran promised.
Lanie, Torin, Hugh, and I waited while everyone made their goodbyes and left. I wanted to give Zevran time to get the body out of Kellin's room before Torin went to his bed tonight. No use in making him see Zevran cleaning up the evidence behind him. Eamon also stayed, which surprised me.
"Elandria," Eamon said. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did tonight, not only for Ferelden in saving its king, but for all of us who care for Alistair. I'm sure I'll have nightmares about this night for months to come. Anyway, thank you.
"I, as well, Warden, especially owe you my thanks," said Hugh. "I'm well aware of the fact that none of the king's guards were close enough to have been able to stop that shot if you haven't foiled it."
For once in her life, Lanie looked like she didn't know what to say. I figured I'd help her out. "Well, I'll try and find a way to show my appreciation later," I said while everyone laughed, and Lanie turned an adorable shade of pink. "So, who is ahead now in the who-saved-whom column, my love, you or me?" I asked.
"I've lost track," she replied throwing me a look of thanks. "You probably. Remember how many times you had to help me at first?" She turned to Eamon. "I was the worst Grey Warden recruit there ever was. Alistair saved me from the very first darkspawn I encountered in the Korcari Wilds and it seemed with almost every fight he had to use his shield to protect me."
"You learned fast," I said with a smile, remembering Lanie as she had been.
"Ostagar changed us," she replied softly as our eyes met and held. The others in the room were shut out as the memories of that time and the despair we had felt at being the only Grey Wardens left in Ferelden afterwards sobered both of us.
"Yes, it did," I finally agreed. I reached out for her hand wanting and needing more of a connection to her. Lanie had gone through one of the worst periods of my life with me and was the only one capable of knowing what had truly been lost that day at Ostagar.
"Ostagar," said Torin. "You were there? You never mentioned that in any of your stories."
"No, I didn't," said Lanie. "There were no good stories from Ostagar."
"Hey," I said somewhat offended. "It's where we met."
"At the time I was telling stories to the Dalish, I didn't think that was a good thing either," Lanie replied.
"Oh yeah, right. I guess you wouldn't have," I said slightly crestfallen. "How about now?"
"Now I think it's a very good thing," she said with a smile as she raised up on tiptoe and tugged me down to plant a kiss on my cheek.
Eamon wished us a good night and left to seek his wife. I took the opportunity to move Kellin from my right side to my left as he was starting to get heavy.
"How about Zev turning up tonight? Wasn't that something?" I said to Lanie.
"It's so wonderful to see him. I was so surprised. I've missed him so much. You don't know how many times over the past years I wanted his advice, and now he is here," she replied happily.
Torin seemed disgruntled and turned to me in disgust. "I killed a man for Kellin tonight, but I'm still not good enough for you, huh?" he asked bitterly.
"What, whoa!" I said in surprise not sure where this was coming from.
"Why do you need the almighty Zevran if Kellin is going to be in with you?" he asked.
"I want him so you can get some sleep tonight and be alert for tomorrow. I trust all my guards because I've known them for years. I don't know Kellin's guards that well, and I feel better with either you or Zevran around to keep an eye on things," I said. "Torin, I know we haven't always gotten along that well, but I really appreciate that you have been very respectful to my position here." When his eyes flashed to Lanie and back fast enough I almost missed it, I realized that she was the one who had explained how the different ranks of human society worked and how important it was in the day-to-day functioning of the palace that certain behavior be followed. "I also understand how seriously you take the vows you made to Kellin. And what you did tonight for him, I have no way to thank you for. If there is ever anything you need and it is my power, it's yours."
Lanie spoke up before he could answer, "Torin, I'm going to ask Zevran to start teaching you about poisons and such. He would also be a good sparring partner for you and could probably teach you a few tricks with a dagger as well."
Torin mumbled to himself, but eventually said, "Fine." I was sure if I had suggested it I would have received an earful.
Once Torin had seen the king, Elandria, and Kellin were safely in their quarters, he entered Kellin's suite. The body and all sign of it was gone. The rug that had been beside the bed was missing as well. Zevran must have used it to wrap the body in since it would already have been bloodstained. Torin was highly conscious of the fact that the two guards on duty at the doors to Kellin's rooms and he were guarding one of the entrances to the bedroom the royal family were in. He thought he would be tired, but with all that had happened tonight his mind refused to shut down. He tried to lie in the bed and sleep, but was only driving himself mad with what-if situations. He rose again throwing on light clothes and decided to clean his armor (which didn't really need it) out in Kellin's room. He built up the fire to a nice roaring blaze, lit candles to bring the room to full illumination, and settled down to work. The rhythm of rubbing the various pieces soon soothed him, and he didn't stir even when Zevran came into the room.
Zevran looked at him and nodded. Torin was still feeling slightly hurt over the whole situation. He knew how much Elandria liked and respected the other man, but he was used to being the one she had turned to ever since the Lenayath. First having the king come into the picture and now Zevran almost had him feeling like a little kid again, and he didn't like it one bit. He didn't share all the memories they had, and it made him feel left out. He did nod back, but returned his attention to his armor while keeping a furtive watch on the assassin.
Zevran must have stopped by wherever he was staying because he had a small bag he threw on the bed, and he was now dressed in a fine set of leathers with two swords on his back. Torin watched as he took his swords off and laid them on the bed beside the bag he had brought with him. Dressed as he was, he looked much different from the dandy he had appeared prior in the evening. There was a hard edge to the way Zevran carried himself now that had been missing earlier. Torin wondered if the assassin had consciously hid if before or if it was strictly caused by the change in his attire.
Zevran turned and saw him looking at his armor. "It is exquisite, no?" he asked. "Master Wade's work. Elandria had him make this for me from some drake scales we acquired on our search for the Urn of Sacred Ashes." He sighed. "It is strange. Sometimes I really miss those days even with all the despair caused by the Blight and the constant traveling. It made one feel alive to have such a purpose." Zevran wiped a hand across his face as he ended his musing and pulled his attention from the past to the present.
"Very nice," agreed Torin as he turned back to polishing the greave in his hands.
Torin watched out of the corner of his eye as the other elf moved to the center of the room to stand for several minutes with his hands on his hips and head cocked as he very slowly turned to take in the entire room. Torin was fascinated despite himself and soon his hands fell still as he could see the concentration etched on Zevran's face. Torin wasn't sure what Zevran was doing, but his eyes were darting all along the edges of the room. Torin heard him mutter underneath his breath and then Zevran picked up the nearest candle and walked to the wall that separated the sitting room from the bedroom area. He squatted down and seemed to be poking along the bottom of the wall for a minute or two. Zevran must not have found what he was looking for because he gracefully rose to his feet and rubbed the hand not holding the candle thoughtfully along the wall.
Zevran then opened wide the door to the sitting room and entered. From where Torin was seated, he could only see part of the room. He was just thinking about getting up to see what Zevran was doing when he came back into the bedroom, walked around behind Torin, and then entered the washroom. Torin could see the flame flickering through the door from the candle Zevran was carrying. Zevran came back out of the washroom and went back into the sitting room. Torin lost all inclination to hide the fact that he was curious about what Zevran was doing. He laid down his polishing cloth and the greave he was working on and quietly rose from his chair. He went to the entrance of the sitting room and leaned against the door frame. Zevran had sat the candle on the floor, and was moving the furniture away from the wall between the two rooms. Once that was done, he started at one end running his hands over the wall. When he reached a section about three-quarters of the way down the room, Zevran closed his eyes, bowed his head, and used just the pads of his fingertips to lightly probe and pry each block of the wall. Torin heard him say quietly to himself, "Ah, I've got you now," and then Torin heard a small click. He was amazed as a section of wall quietly swung out.
Zevran lifted his head with a grin of triumph on his face and a raised eyebrow, "So mi violento uno, care to join me in a little investigation?"
As Torin followed Zevran into the dark passage, he thought maybe, just maybe Zevran was as good as he had heard.
A.N.: There are just a few things I do very well, some things I do okay, and a multitude of things I'm horrible at. Foreign languages definitely fall in the last category. Anyone who can speak, read, or think in more than one language has my admiration, including Mapachita who gave me the right Spanish translation for "my fierce one" after the translation program I used proved incorrect. Thanks for the save!
Thanks to melismo for suffering through multiple drafts on this chapter and fixing things for me. Much love and appreciation to everyone who continues to support this story, whether by reviewing, adding to alerts/favorites, or just by reading.