A/N: Oralyn is an Original Character, so no need to try and look her up anywhere.
A/N: (3/20/2010) More spelling and grammar corrections made.
A/N: (4/19/2010) Yet more minor grammar and punctuation corrections made. Beta love!
Part 4: Mockingbird Raids the Hawk Nest
"Oralyn, would you be so kind as to show the Warden recruit here to the servant's quarters? She'll be staying there."
Oralyn, with a freshly folded sheet in hand, blinked up at the youngest Cousland son in momentary confusion. She looked at him, then at Kallian, then at him again.
"Milord?"
The single word carried with it the question and perplexity of her thoughts.
"Was it not clear enough?" his voice carried a level of agitation that caused the elven servant before him to go a little wide eyed. "It is the Lady's wish to stay in the servant's quarters and it will be so."
Kallian grinned to herself. His tone was like music to her ears. She got to him and she savored every word spoken through gritted teeth.
"B… but, milord, to put a guest in-"
"Do not oppose me on this," the words came sharper and the elf servant seemed to flinch. "This will be done."
Kallian saw her tense and grip a little to the sheet in her hands. She waited in anticipation for Aedan to lash out and strike her for not obeying right away. The hit never came. Instead, his shoulders slumped very slightly and he gave a small sigh.
"Oralyn… please. Do this for me?" his tone was much softer and kind.
Kallian frowned mildly and it deepened further as Oralyn went from shrinking violet to blushing red in an instant. She noted then that Oralyn was cute in face and ample of bosom with a petite little body. Just the sort to have any lordling go drooling after.
Oralyn gave a small curtsy, "Yes, milord. But if Nan or the Teyrna find out…"
"If they do, send them my way. Tell them I insisted," he gave a partial glare out of the corner of his eye in Kallian's direction for a second. "I'll take their heated words instead."
Oralyn gave a brightening thankful smile at him, then looked at her and motioned with a hand, "Then follow me, please."
Kallian turned her head to say one last thing to Aedan, but was stopped as he turned sharply, clicked his heels together and gave a short bow, "I take my leave of you, Lady."
He glared at her the whole time and she was certain he kept glowering even as he turned and walked away quickly. She watched his back as he strode off until he turned a corner and went out of sight.
"Milady?" Oralyn spoke again. When Kallian glanced at her she motioned once more with a hand.
So much for getting one last biting jibe in, she thought as she started to follow the elven servant. Wanted to get him angry enough to try something. Maybe not the best way to repay Duncan by putting him out with another noble's death, but he irked me. "Never turn away an elf", indeed.
In the back of Kallian's mind, however, there was some doubt that she'd be able to do it. Not for a lack of trying, of course, but for the potential fighting skill he might be able to exhibit.
Oralyn did make good and showed Kallian to the servant's quarters. She didn't need to find a spot on the floor as they had one bed unoccupied. As she settled in she couldn't help but note that as far as elven servant's quarters went the large room was rather decent.
The room had a small hearth with a nice fire going. The furnishings of tables, chairs, and beds were well worn, but very serviceable. The sheets, while possessing some moth eaten holes, were not so riddled with them that they were beyond usefulness. Kallian hated to admit it, but the warm lived-in quarters felt downright homey. Better then any place in the Denerim Alienage, that was certain.
Oralyn finished putting away the sheet she had in her hands and smiled at Kallian. The smile was polite, but she could tell there was a certain wariness in her eyes.
"Would you like me to let you know when dinner will be served? And would you like a change of clothes to attend dinner in?" she motioned at Kallian and the armor she wore.
Kallian started to remove some of her gear to give herself a second to think, then said, "No… to both. Just toss me a bit of whatever you folks will be having. Long as it's not taking it out of the mouth of a servant, that is."
Oralyn stuttered a moment, "B-b-but, milady… th-that would be—"
"Insulting?" she quirked a grin and shook her head. "Wouldn't be insulted in the least. Matter of fact, it would still be the best meal I've had in ages."
"But they'll be expecting you at dinner," Oralyn seemed to drop any pretenses of courtesy. "If I tell Nan or the Teyrna that a guest of the house is being served a servant's meal I'll get punished for it!"
Kallian grunted, it was as much as she expected, "I take it this Nan of yours is a head servant of some kind? Someone's grandmother?"
"She's the head cook and is in charge of overseeing that we servants keep the castle tidy," Oralyn looked over her shoulder once, probably to check and see if the Maker saw fit to have this Nan woman walk up right at that moment. "She's a disciplined woman and can be a right terror when things go wrong, but she keeps things running smoothly here for the Teyrna. She also helped raise the Teyrn's sons, so..."
Kallian ran a hand through her hair and gave a short sigh, "Look, just tell them my trip was long and that I was too exhausted to make dinner. I am going to take a short nap here so you'll be telling some truth. Just nudge me awake when the food is here. I'll eat, then likely sack out again. Is that alright?"
Oralyn fidgeted a moment, her eyebrows furrowed in worry, "I… I suppose so. As milady wishes."
"Please, it's Kallian," she sat on the bed to remove her boots. "Consider me just visiting kin."
The elven servant chewed on her lip a moment, then smiled a bit kinder and nodded, "Alright then… Kallian… would you at least like a change of clothes to sleep in? Can't be comfortable sleeping in those leathers."
Kallian gave her a genuine smile in return, "Now that I wouldn't mind at all."
She woke to the sounds of a sleeping castle. In fact, it was probably because things were so quiet that she snapped awake. Kallian sat up, feeling disoriented until the previous day came back to memory. Glancing around she saw the other beds had figures in them in deep sleep. The fire was down to just a flew flickering embers, a sign that it had not been stirred or renewed in long hours.
Andraste's Burning Britches, her mind grumbled as she rubbed at an eye. I was more exhausted then I thought. I didn't hear a single one of these folks come in. Wonder why Oralyn didn't wake me for dinner… hungry enough to eat a whole oxen raw right now.
She roused herself and got her boots back on. The simple shirt and loose pants Oralyn gave her were warm enough so she simply slipped out the door silently before anyone could wake.
The cold night air hit her face and hands, waking her fully. Above, a half crescent moon peeked through some slow moving clouds. Somewhere beyond the castle walls an owl hooted. The corridors were dimly lit by hanging oil lamps placed intermittently along the way. It was just bright enough to see, but dark enough for Kallian's liking. Perfect conditions for getting around unseen.
Food, her mind and stomach insisted. Food, then explore. See the corners instead of the impressive bits your noble host wanted to show off. Stuff is always in corners.
She tried to recall which way the kitchen was and by luck had turned the right direction. It took peeking into a couple of doors and hiding around a corner from a yawning guard on patrol, but she eventually found it. She left the door open just a crack as a single low burning oil lamp was all that was lit and there were no other lights within. With that Kallian went to task.
For taking what amounted to a midnight snack, Kallian felt no guilt at all. With the stores of food she spied, she doubted the bit of bread, thin wedge of cheese, and single red apple was going to be missed. Petty as it was, she was taking a tiny stab at her hosts and the overall situation.
Duncan couldn't leave well enough alone, she frowned in thought as she continued to root about for food. Setting me up to have to try and "be nice" to a noble's son. If he just let me play the unassuming mouse I could have listened, learned, and get set up proper in a guest room after.
It wasn't as if Kallian didn't understand what Duncan was trying to do. Right now, however, she was sick of human nobles and their penchant for seeing elves as lesser beings. Property and pests instead of people. She didn't realize just how sick she was of it until being away from Denerim.
At home, she had to mind herself as much as possible or risk bringing those close to her in danger. Bump into a passing Bann by accident, and next thing you know they're taking your father away for a month to work at his estate as "payment" for the injury. Slap a nobleman for touching you where they shouldn't, and they send house guards to take you away . . . then slay your mother for getting in the way. Kill an Arl's son and risk having the whole Alienage burned down. And all that because you weren't human.
With no friends or family nearby Kallian felt liberated from restraining any hatred she felt. All those repressed years living under the thumb of people who thought they were better for their birthright. She knew it was threatening to spill forth from her like a river of poison.
Suddenly, all thoughts left her and she froze. Kallian had been squatting, the apple clenched in her teeth, as she dug into a wicker basket on the ground to check its contents. A low rumbling growl from her left stopped her. Slowly she turned her head, instinctually figuring that any sudden movements would be the death of her. Kallian's eyes widened and she was certain the bottom of her stomach fell out.
It was big. Horribly big. It stood there, ears flat back, fanged teeth bared, audibly growling it's displeasure. In the light of the low turned lamp it's reddish eyes flickered between red and black, making it look demonic. It's massive forepaw stepped closer one step, claws lightly scraping the stone floor. Kallian was glad, then, that she didn't have anything in her stomach as she was sure her bowels would have loosened themselves by now.
My fate in life... was to become a pile of dog shite, came the numb thought, but she quickly shook herself of it. Wait, wait! No. Think! That's definitely a Mabari Warhound. It's too big to be anything else... Maker, is it big!
It took another slow threatening step forward. She fought the impulse to scream and run.
Don't panic! Think! Mabari are smart, right? They can understand words, right? Maybe... maybe you can talk it out of biting your face clean off?
She moved very slowly to remove the apple from her mouth. The massive dog growled louder.
"H... hello," she squeaked, swallowing to try and sooth her dry mouth. "Uh... I... I was just... getting something to eat."
Kallian held up the apple in a lightly shaking hand, "See?"
This is stupid! You're trying to talk to a dog, for Maker's sake! You're not going to be able to-
Her thoughts stopped as the Warhound ceased growling and ceased baring its teeth. Its ears swiveled around to point in her direction. Its body, however, remained in the lightly crouched position. It was still capable of springing any second.
Talk fast!
"I was hungry. Very hungry," she spoke truthfully, figuring honesty to be the best policy. "I haven't eaten anything since I got here this morning. Had nothing but jerky since I left home."
The dog stood up straighter. It was still eyeballing her intently, perhaps even judgingly. Kallian felt the noose loosen about her neck, but knew her head was still in the loop. She eased back and went from squatting to sitting. The dog didn't react to it.
"Not used to road travel. Had a hard time eating, harder time sleeping," she blinked at her own words. "Guess that's why I slept so hard. Clean bed, warm room. No wonder I slept right through dinner."
She noted that the Mabari Warhound was now sitting, one of it's ears still perked in her direction, the other flopping to the side.
Cannot believe this is actually working! I heard they were intelligent, but...
"So, I hope you understand. I'm starving," she held up the apple again. "If you like, we can share if you're hungry, too."
Because I'd rather not have you eat me, was what she thought, but decided to keep that bit to herself.
There were long tense seconds where it remained in the same position. Uncertainty sank in as she waited for some reaction. Suddenly, the dog stood up and her heart leapt into her throat as it trotted towards her. It then trotted right behind her. Kallian's head snapped around to watch where it went.
It walked along several feet, and then turned to face the wall. She started slightly as it raised up on its hind legs, planted it's forepaws on the wall, and looked intently upwards. The dog gave sort of a huffing "chuff" sound, looked at her, and then looked up intently again. She craned her head to look up at the wall.
"Are those sausages?" She uttered as she saw what the hound was looking intently at.
The sausages were up on a hook high upon the wall. It was the sort of hook normally reserved for drying out herbs, but it seemed in this kitchen it had other uses. Each sausage was about the length of her hand and neatly bundled in a bunch, tied securely together with twine. It was too high up for a normal person to reach let alone a Mabari Warhound. She suspected that even with a running jump the result would mean a broken wall hook and a great clattering of noise upon landing for the dog.
Kallian got up on her feet and walked over, "You want to share a couple of those?"
It looked at her, panted, and wagged its stubby tail. She quirked a small smile as she realized that not only was she about to bribe a dog, but she also was going to remain alive.
"Those do look rather good," she started looking around the room. "There should be a retrieval hook- ah. Right there."
She spied the long wooden pole with an upturned hook in a corner. Placing what was in her arms on a table, she got the pole, and came back to be pleasantly surprised that the dog had gotten out of the way. Using the hook she got the sausages down and snapped off one of the links. The dog was so big that she didn't need to stoop down and she held one out to it.
"Him", not "it", she realized. She saw the evidence of that when he raised himself up on the wall to point out the sausages.
In a slow and deliberate manner, he opened his maw wide and didn't have it just envelope the sausage but her entire hand. Eyes instantly wide, she then thought that, yes, she was going to remain alive, but without a hand. The thought stayed until she realized that he wasn't putting that much pressure on it. Inside his mouth she let the sausage go. Just as deliberately as he had enveloped her hand, he slowly backed away to let her hand go. The canines that should have cut and shredded only lightly raked her skin.
Teeth! Teeth, sharp teeth! He's letting me know they are sharp! Ooooh, Maker, thank you for making them smart and giving me a way out of this!
He happily chewed away on the meat very audibly. After her panic subsided she felt that her hand was covered in dog slobber. Her face blanching she wiped it on her pant leg. By the time her hand was dry again, he was giving that muted bark again. A "chuff" sound followed by the dog's muzzle pointed intently at the bundle.
"Another one? Well, alright," she went about snapping another link off. "But this will have to be it."
He gave a full begging whine.
"Hey, if we take too many they're going to notice," Kallian handed the next sausage over to him which the dog took, not enveloping her hand this time. "Does no good for either of us to leave blatant evidence now, does it?"
He still whined, even through the chewing, but seemed alright with things. Snapping off a couple more for herself she went about putting the slightly lighter bundle of sausage back on its hook and the pole back in the corner. Coming back she saw with dismay that he was still chewing away and one of her sausages was gone.
"Oy! Sharing means I get some too, ya kn-"
Her ears picked up the shuffling of armored feet on cobble stone. Cursing inwardly she looked around for a place to hide. Only having time to duck behind some wheat sacks next to the table, she curled herself into as tight a form as possible, her head on bended knees.
"Could have sworn I heard a voice..."
"Sure it just weren't a cat mewlin'?"
"I know the soddin' difference between a cat and a-... wait. Kitchen door shouldn't be open..."
Kallian gritted her teeth as the guard's voices got closer, and then she stiffened as the dog came close and started sniffing at her. Wide eyed, she shook her head and tried to motion the dog away. Bravely - or perhaps foolishly - she put her hand atop his muzzle to try and push him away. It had a full opposite effect and he pushed his head fully into her hand to be petted and he started licking her face. Mentally she pleaded for him to go away, then froze when she heard the kitchen door creak open. The room brightened as the guard brought in whatever source of light they had.
"Who goes there?" one of them said forcefully. "Show yourself!"
For a second she thought to go ahead, resign herself to her fate, and stand up. That was until the dog trotted off to the far side of the table away from Kallian. He got himself into full view of the guards and gave a solid bark.
"Oh no," one of the two guards said, sounding exasperated. "Not milord's Warhound again."
"I swear," the other huffed a sigh. "It's the fourth time this month he's made it in here. The head cook is not going to like this one bit."
"Well who says we have to tell her? Doesn't look like he's really touched anything or made any sort of mess."
The guard grunted, "You have a point. I'd rather not have to stand there and get shouted at. We'll get forced to listen to her reasons why we should add a lock and a full cross bar to the door. Like the kitchen is the soddin' treasury or somethin'."
"Tell me about it. Well, come on, Angus. I have some jerky bits in my footlocker I can bribe you with, but only if you leave the kitchen."
The dog gave a happy sounding bark. He turned his head to look right at Kallian for a brief second. For some reason Kallian go the sense that sometime in the near future she was going to be giving up an entire meal to him for this. The look passed and he trotted off towards the door.
"That was easier then usual..."
"I still want to know how in the world he works knobs and latches on doors," one of them said just before she heard them close the door behind them.
Kallian let the breath she was holding out with a relieved sigh.
Close. Way too close, she got up into a crouch and peeked around just to make sure things were clear, then wiped her face on her sleeve. Now I owe a dog, of all things, for helping me get out of it. And my face smells like sausage! The Maker is completely playing with me.
Seeing it was safe she quickly gathered the food, deciding that finding a quiet spot to eat would be best. Then she could poke around and see what sort of little secrets the castle might hold. With a fuller belly she wouldn't be so distracted and have no guards, dogs or otherwise, sneak up on her. The excitement of nearly being caught now over, a new tingle of excitement filled her.
A treasury, eh?
She couldn't stop herself from grinning.