I can tell something's different that night at dinner. Well, something's different with Leliana. My human love sits especially close to me, but doesn't say a word throughout the entire meal. All of tonight's dialogue comes from Morrigan.
"Thirty. Thirty-one. Thirty-two.". Currently, the witch is just counting the quills in a pile beside her feet as she kicks them away from her one at a time. The other woman has been quick to remind me that Leliana and I were 'fraternizing' in the woods while Morrigan and Duncan had to handle a situation with a porcupine. Apparently, Morrigan had ran right into the beast when he was hidden in some underbrush. He'd already been chased off when Leliana and I returned; however, both Duncan and Morrigan had to have several quills pulled out of them.
Duncan whined and whimpered when we were taking them out, but Morrigan's been complaining ever since. Hopefully, she'll get over it by tomorrow morning. My main focus at the moment, however, is Leliana. We've camped out in the middle of a gorgeous and serene clearing, so I'd assumed the bard would sing or say something about it. Instead, she's just sitting with her shoulder against mine and silence consuming her. I've considered rousing her to join the conversation, but at the moment I'm trying to both eat dinner and scan the surrounding woods for dangers. The encounter with Darkspawn earlier has me somewhat on edge as I examine the woods.
The underbrush is still thick (with only a small path Morrigan made trampled down); the trees are still within inches of one another; and a thick, dark canopy above us testifies to interwoven branches and leaves. Our tiny campfire is the only light within the entirety of the pitch-black forest. I've been keeping my ears peeled for any noises. Disturbingly, not a single hoot or howl has reached my ears since we set up camp. I reach out with my taint and feel the forest throbbing and beating around me.
The Blight has arrived, but not its masters. No Darkspawn or Archdemon inhabit the woods; just the Blight itself. Most likely the sickness was left with Darkspawn traveling through/being killed or corrupted animals passing through/dying. Duncan and I won't be harmed since we've both been exposed to the Taint (me through my Joining and Duncan through his consumption of Darkspawn blood), but Leliana and Morrigan are at risk. I sit down my empty bowl which once contained a dinner of grey stew, then motion with my hand for Morrigan to fall silent. The witch looks offended I've stopped her from counting her quills to me, but falls silent. I glance at Leliana to see her already looking at me, then begin to speak.
"Tomorrow, we need to leave as soon as possible. I feel the Blight in the trees and ground. Don't drink any water you come across; don't eat any vegetables or animals you find; and don't sleep on the ground itself.". Morrigan is the first to question my logic.
"We've been sitting here for the last few hours. How do you expect to undo the damage from that?". I hold in the urge to roll my eyes as I explain it to her.
"You're armored and clothed. Having your bare flesh against corrupted dirt for eight or ten hours straight is what will harm you. Just having your shoes sitting on the soil will not kill you.". Morrigan falls silent as I defeat her complain. The witch puts her bowl down, heaves herself up, and goes into her tent. Morrigan attempts to shut it in time, but Duncan's joined her before she's even begun tying the flap closed.
"Stupid mutt!". Duncan barks in return and I smile as I notice Morrigan doesn't try getting rid of him tonight. The pooch must be growing on her. I stand and begin cleaning. Mostly, it's just picking up my companion's bowls. When I have three of the bowls I go over to Leliana and hold out my hand in offering. She smiles before handing over her almost-empty bowl of stew and questioning me.
"Do you want to put out the fire?". I notice she doesn't offer to do it or add 'or me' to her question, so I assume she doesn't want to do it. And, I'm not one to make Leliana do something she doesn't want to.
"I'll get it.". Leliana smiles before slipping off into the darkness at the edge of our camp. Quickly, I stomp and stamp the fire out of existence. Darkness consumes me and I hurry to the tent that I share with Leliana. A single light is shining from one tent, so I assume that's mine and Leliana's since Morrigan's already retired for the night. Thankfully, my guess was right. I step inside the tent that's being lit by a single hanging lantern, but the sight before me causes me to pause at the entrance. Leliana's bare back is exposed for my viewing pleasure as she fiddles with the lantern's light. My face becomes hot and my eyesight falls down to the tips of my toes.
"Leliana!". I say her name in an attempt to make her aware of my presence. I expect her to be startled or say my name or something of the sort. I certainly wasn't expecting the woman to make her way over to me. Her toes come an inch or so away from mine. Then, her delicate hands grip my jaw. I see a brief flash of her tits as she lifts my head up to look me in the eyes. The little flash combined with the fire blazing within her eyes is enough to cause my entire face, neck, and shoulder area to begin burning.
"Leliana, I-". The human pulls me into a kiss with crushing force behind it. There's no tenderness or love in her kiss. Just a raw, primal urge to dominate. When she pulls back she whispers into my ear.
"I can't wait to fuck you until you're crying for me to stop.". She slides away from me and begins retiring to her sleeping bag.
"After Denerim.".
I'm going home. My heartbeat is racing and I'm struggling to breathe as I walk through the gates of Denerim and into the bustling marketplace. I honestly can't control myself right now. I was promised when I left that I'd be able to return in roughly ten years or so to see my family one last time for closure. Now it's hardly been a year and I'm walking trough the gates as a free woman. Leliana sees me shuddering and is, obviously, concerned.
"Are you okay?". I nod, but my excitement only grows as I realize I can visit the Alienage. I can see my father, cousins, and friends again. Suddenly, the cold water of realization washes over me as I remember Leliana beside me. If I told her to stay quiet about us, then she would. However, that'd make her angry and hurt. But if she says something around my family and friends, then they might mock me or be disgusted by our relationship.
However, Leliana won't be angry and hurt. I could always tell Leliana to go back and wait at camp, but that's suspicious as hell. Besides, Morrigan could ruin the whole thing by blurting out how I love a human. Sending both Morrigan and Leliana back is suspicious as fuck. Sending Leliana, Morrigan, and Duncan back is asking to be mugged. I'm still chewing over my options when Leliana voices something.
"Over there! That looks like where Marjolaine would choose to hide!". I follow where she's pointing and walk over to the tiny shack.
"Are you sure?". Leliana nods and motions for me to go inside.
"I'm certain.". I have no idea how she's certain, but I don't question her as I step inside. I've barely entered a tiny room when two qunari lunge for me. I manage to dodge their axes and headbutt one in the chest. The man stumbles backwards and I strike. My sword cuts through his shoulder and lands deep inside his chest. Blood spurts onto my helmet while the tremendous man slides to the ground.
Duncan, Morrigan, and Leliana have already dispatched the other qunari. All of us sheathe our weapons, but I'm the only one to open the only other door besides the exit. This door leads into a medium sized sitting room with a single woman standing beside the fireplace in front of us. Her robes, neatly done dark hair, and lack of wrinkles suggest she's nobility. Sure enough, when she speaks her Orlesion accent is terrible and her nose is turned up in a sneer.
"My Leliana, you returned to me!". Leliana stands beside me with her back straight in defiance.
"Cut the act, Marjolaine. I know about the assassins.". The older woman laughs and scoffs.
"Assassins? No, merely messengers. I needed to make sure you'd come to me.". Now it's my turn to speak in defense of my closest friend and teammate.
"'Messengers'? Really? You think we'll believe that?". I feel myself break under her cruel gaze as her sneer deepens. My head bows and my knees threaten to buckle.
"And who's this Ferelden dog-lord that you've brought with you?". Duncan standing at my other side really doesn't help with the whole 'dog-lord' bit. Thankfully, Leliana speaks out for me.
"She's my friend.". Leliana seems to hesitate for a minute before reaching out and grabbing my hand.
"She's my love.". I can't help it. I stick my tongue out at Marjolaine while returning my gaze back to her when I raise my head. The Orlesion woman rolls her eyes before speaking directly to me.
"Surely you don't think Leliana's loyalties lie with you, do you? She's a bard. Her loyalties can be changed at the drop of a hat.". I squeeze Leliana's hand.
"The Blight is what concerns Leliana now. Not you.". Leliana nods and begins speaking to Marjolaine.
"I'm done with the chapter in my life that involved you.". I bring important information to Leliana's attention.
"She won't stop dogging you as long as she lives.". It's meant as a warning, but Leliana takes it as initiative.
"You're right.". Her hand is ripped away from mine as she loads an arrow. Marjolaine's face twists into a look of pure rage as she lets out an ear-piercing howl of anger. Instantly, two more qunari bursts from the doors on either side of her as two mages remain in the doorways to rain spells down upon us as the battle begins.
I have no idea why I'm considered the biggest threat. Maybe it's because I'm a warrior. Maybe it's because I'm the first one to get to Marjolaine. Maybe all of them don't like elves. All I know is two fireballs hit me, an ax digs into either of my shoulders' armor, and Marjolaine punches me dead in the center of the face. In the meantime, Duncan sets off a trap in front of one of the mages while Leliana and Morrigan both team up on one of the qunari warriors.
I can't attack as the qunari with his sword to my left is shot down by Leliana and Morrigan. That doesn't help me, however, as Marjolaine, the unoccupied mage, and the remaining qunari attack me again. Another punch that cracks my nose, a blow that pops my shoulder, and another fireball to the stomach. I collapse to my knees as Duncan kills the mage he was fighting and Morrigan and Leliana kill the other qunari warrior.
"Little help here.". A third crack to my face that makes me fall onto my back. Duncan activates the trap in front of the last surviving mage and Morrigan and Leliana begin shooting at the mage.
"Guys!". Marjolaine straddles me, lovingly takes off my helm, and gives me the sweetest smile imaginable before punching me in the face again.
"Really?". My question is gargled through blood as the final mage falls.
"Don't mind me over here.". Marjolaine is thrown off of me as all of my team attacks her, but not before she cracks my nose again.
"Finally.".