Author's Note:
Thanks to my very first favorite, I've decided to stop being lazy and upload more chapters!
Saemus awoke the next morning to find that the healer's hands had worked wonderfully. He could walk normally again, and was quick to throw his things into a pack so he could scurry off to the Wounded Coast. He kept his cloak on as usual, and slipped away without anyone's notice.
The sky was already bright, despite being so early in the day, and white billowy clouds drifted by overhead. As he trekked up the shore he saw Ashaad step out from behind a heap of greenery. The Qunari was smiling, something Saemus had never seen. It warmed him, and as the two moved closer Ashaad said, "I am glad to see you are well." The larger man drew his arms up around him and nuzzled him softly, "When I left you last night, I was… worried."
"I told you, I'm fine." Saemus laughed, "But I did go to a healer, a friend of Hawke's." He broke their embrace and unfolded his pack, "He gave me these" Saemus said, showing him the jars, "One for before, and another for after. He said they would help."
"You told him of us?" The Qunari raised a brow.
"Everyone in Kirkwall already knows." Saemus stroked the scout's hair, "All except my father." He held the man's gaze, "And that doesn't matter either. I've decided to convert to the Qun, just as soon as we get back to Kirkwall."
"I will support you." Ashaad smiled, "You are already Kadan, where my heart lies."
"And that is why I wish to be Viddathari." Saemus smiled, "Your language, your culture, even your religious texts… They're all beautiful. I fell in love with your world the day I met you." Saemus said, his eyes lowering, "You've saved me, Ashaad."
"I feel much the same." Ashaad said, letting his fingertips trail down the boy's collarbone.
"I should stay away from you for now, though." Saemus sighed, "You have a task to complete, and I do not wish the Arishok to withdraw his mercy."
"I have already finished it." Ashaad smirked, "The Arishok approved my work this morning, and has allowed me the two extra days I was allotted to live freely."
"You mean…?"
"I am solely yours, for this day and the next."
A smile bloomed across Saemus' face, his happiness impossible to hide. He leaped up, and Ashaad caught him eagerly, cradling him against his chest. They kissed, quickly but hungrily, and Ashaad knelt into the sand, supporting both of their weight.
When they broke, Saemus stared up at the sky. It was a beautiful day, and the water was surely warm.
The Viscount strode into the keep, his company trailing him. Tantervale had been blunt in their refusal to aid Kirkwall, despite their proximity to the infection. He went to rouse Saemus, and found his room empty. The sight that greeted him, however, was horrifying.
Papers and books scattered haphazardly, and a broken oil lamp- Something was wrong. He rushed to his own chambers, and saw his bed sheets painted with blood.
"Saemus" He whispered, panic lacing his breath, then called loudly, "Seneschal! Guards!"
Saemus splashed him, and received a wave of his own in return. That was when he learned never to challenge a Qunari. They swam for a while and, at one point, even dared to jump off a rocky outcrop into the deep that lay below. When they retreated to shallow water, he found a bed of oysters, and spent an hour or so collecting them for their evening meal.
With his skin kissed by the sun, Saemus was red and tender around his shoulders and nose. Ashaad drew him to the shore, passing their clothes on the way, and went to a mass of foliage. He plucked several leave carefully, then used a nearby rock to crush them in his palm. The resulting poultice was a sticky blue-green substance that he happily smeared onto Saemus' burns. With his thumb he painted a small dollop on his nose, then leaned forward and kissed the lips below it.
"Thank you" Saemus smiled, "The Qunari do not get sunburned?"
"We hail from Seheron." Ashaad told him, "It is much hotter there."
"Ah" Saemus said, he went to his pack and removed his cloak, spreading it out over the sand. He lay on it, and Ashaad joined him, allowing him to lay his head against the bare skin of his thigh.
At noon the Viscount's guards scoured the city, asking questions and collecting information on the whereabouts of the young Dumar. When they ventured to the Chantry, one sister in particular was all too eager to tell them what she knew.
"He's been spending his time on the Wounded Coast," She declared, "With a Qunari scout."
"Thank you, Sister Petrice." The Seneschal said, "If you come across any other information, we will gladly accept it at the Keep."
It was midday when the two decided to go hunting, as oyster meat wasn't nearly enough to feed them both. That and the fact that humans needed to eat twice as often as Qunari, or so Ashaad said.
"How did you know that we eat more often?" Saemus snickered.
"Many of the Viddathari at the compound are human," Ashaad shrugged, sharpening a wooden spear with his knife, "And some of them eat more than I do."
Saemus laughed at that.
Halfway through the trail Saemus saw a bush covered in berries.
"Look" He called attention to it.
"No" Ashaad grabbed his hand, "Those are not for eating."
"I know, they're Vallada, the berries you use to make dye for your war paint."
"You… Have studied much." Ashaad said, seemingly surprised.
"If I made some, could you paint me?" The boy asked, "Or, would that be… sacrilege?"
"There is no shame in decorating you." The Qunari told him, "Let us see if we can find what we need."
He was nearly done plucking the berries when Ashaad motioned for him to bow low. Peering through the bushes, he could see why: A small boar had stumbled across their path. Ashaad held still and waited for the animal to move just a hair closer. When it did, he launched his spear, skewering it straight through the side of its chest.
The pig was still struggling, and he wasted no time going to it and cutting its throat.
"You could have left it alive, and bled it." Saemus noted.
"One should not suffer at the hands of those who hold the greater power."
"Many think the Qunari are merciless." He said.
"Only to those who deserve none."
It was mid-afternoon when the Viscount's guards began hanging flyers to announce Saemus' disappearance. They branded it a kidnapping, and offered a reward to anyone who could bring him back alive from his captors on the Wounded Coast.
Few would dare to venture there, Petrice pondered, studying the flyer on the Chantry board. Perhaps someone would need an extra incentive.
Ashaad had skinned the pig with the skill of a city butcher, and used some of plants he'd collected to season it. A thick, dark colored root was tucked inside it along with several broad, dry leaves. On the outside he rubbed its flesh with crushed seeds, and a few ground up flowers.
The resulting aroma was a feast for the senses, and Saemus inhaled it greedily as he sat shelling the oysters. He cut his thumb on one, and sucked away the blood before trying again to get it open. Once he'd finally pried it apart, he noticed something shimmering on the inside. He tipped the shell over, and something small rolled onto his hand.
"I found a pearl!" He laughed.
"So it seems." He gave it to Ashaad for inspection, "There is a tale among my people about a man who spent his entire life searching for one of these. It teaches us to cherish what we hold dear, and that a journey is just if it leads you to what you seek."
"Will you tell it to me some time?" Saemus asked, and the Qunari nodded.
A few minutes later they put the meat into a pot, and stewed it. When Ashaad removed the roast from the fire, he cut into it eagerly. The meat was tender and juicy, like nothing he'd ever had in the Keep.
"This… This is amazing!" He laughed.
"Usually our women prepare the food," Ashaad told him, "It is a task we revere them for, as a starving warrior would be useless, what they do is essential." The Qunari smirked, "But sometimes I think it is a task I perform better."
Saemus laughed, and Ashaad joined him with a low rumbled that filled the air. A few birds flew off nearby, and as they quieted, Ashaad said, "When we go to the compound, I will make you something called atanvah. It is a sort of roasted fish, I believe you will enjoy it."
"I'd like that." Saemus smiled. He checked the oysters and deemed that they were done, ladling the meat into his bowl beside the pork.
A question had been prodding his mind for the better part of the day, and he could think of no other time to ask.
"Ashaad" Saemus called, and the Qunari offered his attention, "Do other Qunari in the compound know of our relationship?"
"Yes" He replied, swallowing a swath of pork.
"Have you… been given any trouble about it?"
"Many of the people do not think you are worth my attention." Ashaad said, "But they do not know you as I do, and they are wrong."
"Is that all?" Saemus said, he was being sarcastic but the scout didn't take it as such.
"One of the people's merchants called you 'dathrasi', because of your father's prominence." Saemus nearly spit out an oyster. 'Dathrasi' was the human equivalent of 'swine', and it wasn't meant as a compliment. Ashaad then said, "He has a new scar."
It was nearly evening when Hawke saw the postings. He blanched at their message, and without a word to his companions, he set into a run on his way to the Keep.
He found Seneschal Bran speaking to a woman and a small company of men.
"The Winters will prevail." She warned, "So you'd better have that reward ready when we return." She nearly ran into Hawke, and shouted, "Out of my way."
At her passing, Fenris muttered something in Arcanum, and Varric chimed in, "Yep."
"I feared we would attract her type." Bran sighed, "Is there something you need Serah Hawke?"
"Is it true that Saemus Dumar is missing?" He asked.
"Yes, the Viscount found evidence that implies he was taken from here, and sources say he's been seen with a Qunari on the Wounded Coast."
"What evidence?" Anders inquisition was unexpected.
"More than that I cannot say."
"Yes, but you must." The healer stepped forward, "I… I saw Saemus Dumar, just last night."
"When?" Seneschal Bran asked, looking rather surprised.
"It was close to midnight."
"Where? Under what pretense?" The Seneschal prodded, seeming both distraught and suspicious.
Anders crossed his arms and shrugged, "More than that, I can't say."
Bran's mouth hardened into a line, "Aren't you the mage who's been running a clinic in Darktown?"
"Do not threaten me." Anders glared, "I gave Saemus my word, and should you send your Templars after me, I will die with it."
Hawke stepped forward, "I will return him, Seneschal."
"Just remember that the reward is for bringing him back alive." Bran told them, "You may wish to remind The Winters of that, should you encounter them on the Wounded Coast."
Hawke nodded, and trailed down the steps, out of the Keep.
He went to the manor, with his companions on his heel. The door opened for them first, and he shut it behind him once he was inside.
Varric, Fenris, and Anders watched him carefully.
"Anders."
"Hawke." He smiled.
"If you know why this has happened-"
"I gave him my word."
"So did I." Hawke said, raising his voice, "Now tell me what you know, so that I may do the same, and pray that it is enough to help him." The healer's amber eyes watched him intently, "Fine, if you won't speak then I'll begin guessing. He was at your clinic, I know that much. You never leave at night because that's when the Templars patrol Darktown. So tell me first, why did he come to you!"
"He did say that he was a friend of yours." Anders sighed, "Look, he was… bleeding."
"He was hurt?"
"It was… a wound of passion, Hawke." The blonde explained, his voice becoming more deliberate, "Perhaps one that you and I could sympathize with."
The elf's eyes passed between them both, unsure of what he meant.
Hawke inhaled sharply, "Did he tell you how it happened?"
"Yes, he mentioned the Qunari." Anders confessed, "Probably the one the posters describe."
"And what did you do?"
"I healed him, and sent him away with two salves, in case it happened again."
"Why are you two speaking so vaguely?" Fenris asked, annoyed.
"To preserve his privacy as much as possible, though as it stands, there isn't much point." Hawke sighed.
"That's all I know." Anders shrugged, "Now tell me yours."
"Fenris and I were at the compound, speaking to the Arishok about the Tal Vashoth we killed on the coast." Hawke began, "While we were there, a scout approached, speaking of Saemus… and their relationship."
"So you know as well then." Anders said, his eyes lowering to the floor.
"I know that he's in trouble if we don't find him first." Hawke warned.
"So wait, lemme get this straight." Varric started, "The Viscount's boy is in love with a Qunari, who buggered him so badly that he had to go to your clinic last night… and now he's missing?"
"Varric" Anders hissed. Hawke didn't argue, and Fenris looked to him.
"Why didn't you just say that?" The elf asked.
"For the same reason that I don't go around advertising that I haven't bedded you yet." Hawke snapped, and Fenris turned a particular shade of scarlet, obviously ashamed, "It's no one's business who he's sleeping with, especially with his status."
Varric fought against a smirk, and lost, then Anders chuckled, "You two haven't-"
A look from Fenris was all the answer he needed. His face displayed a mixture of hurt and anger, but Anders either didn't notice or didn't care.
"Well isn't that something." He continued. The elf turned away, ready to return to the task at hand, then Anders quipped, "What, are you waiting for Danarius to give you permission?"
Anders laughed and Varric's smiled disappeared quickly. It was too far. Fenris whipped around, his skin lit with a blue glow and Hawke had barely enough time to move between them.
"If I am so insufficient then perhaps you two should runaway together." Fenris said, his voice nearly breaking, then scoffed, "You deserve each other."
He went out the door, slamming it behind him. The look Anders received from Hawke was aflame with hatred.
"Never do that again." Hawke threatened, "Do you understand me?"
The healer nodded, and Hawke was out the door before he could say sorry.
"Wrong crowd" Varric shrugged, offering the blonde his comfort.
The elf ignored his calling, and when he finally caught up with him he grabbed his arm and wrenched him around.
"Let go of me!" Fenris snapped, pulling away, "Go trifle with your mage, and leave me be!"
"Fenris." His voice was firm, "Anders does not have me, you do." The elf's eyes were dark with pain, "No matter what he, or anyone else says, I am yours."
"But you do not have me!" Fenris argued, the hurt in his voice unmistakable, "I am broken, Hawke. Broken chains, a broken memory, and a broken heart! I will never be but half a man! And I'm not even that."
Hawke grabbed his cheek and made the elf hold his gaze, seeing that there were tears glazing his eyes. He would never let the man see him cry. Hawke could do nothing but try to console him, "I care enough to wait for you, Fenris. I can help you heal, all we have to do is-"
"Don't you think I want to?" Fenris hissed, "Don't you think I want to let you touch me without desperately yearning to pull away?"
"I know you do." Hawke said, "But this isn't the place to discuss this."
Fenris pulled away from him, swallowing hard, "Then tell me what you wish of me, but don't ask me to go back in there."
"I want you to cool off, find Isabela and meet us at the docks." Hawke said, "I need to go to the compound, tell the Arishok of what's transpired."
The warrior nodded, and strode away. Hawke watched him thoughtfully, waiting until he'd rounded the corner before going back to the manor.
The sun was traveling lower when Saemus finished the dye. It was a thick mixture consisting of the strained berries cured with sea salt, which he'd scraped off of the rocks by the shore. He had trouble believing that such a haphazard creation of something sacred wasn't an insult to the Qun, but no one was near to judge them on that.
Ashaad dipped his hand into the paint, then carefully began placing marks on Saemus' chest. Overhead the sky grew dark, the once peaceful clouds swelling with the black of a storm. A few minutes in, he realized the markings were different from Ashaad's.
"Your painting is the mark of a scout." He said, "What is mine?"
"Yours is for a scholar." Ashaad said, "Without the missing reagent this mixture will fade off in a day's time, sooner if it's wet. Which is good. The Arishok may deem you something other than a scholar, but for the moment, this is how I see you."
"Really?" Saemus smiled lightly.
"Yes." Ashaad replied, "You are smarter than most humans, and you have spent much time reading in books to expand your knowledge. That is the way of a scholar."
His touch was gentle, and Saemus found his eyelids fluttering shut.
"Can I ask you something?" The boy asked.
"Always so full of questions." He didn't have to open his eyes to see the smirk on Ashaad's face.
"Earlier you said that I had saved you, but… I can't understand what you mean."
There was a sudden silence, and as Ashaad stopped marking him he drew his eyes open. The Qunari was staring at his chest as though he were looking through him.
He blinked, and spoke, "When I began this task I thought often of the heathens here." Ashaad said, and Saemus' eyes grew wide, "I felt there was something missing from my life, and with the stagnation of our inhabitance in your city, I felt as if my purpose within the Qun was misplaced." The Qunari looked up at him, and their eyes locked, "I was nearly ready to forget myself when you found me along the shore, and when you kept returning day after day, it made me want to continue my work for the Arishok."
"You… thought of joining the Tal-Vashoth?" Saemus asked.
"Yes." Ashaad admitted, and the look of shame on his face betrayed him, "I have always felt… out of place among my people, and the Arishok senses it as well. I believe it is why he sends me away to the missions that require only one, so that I might isolate myself rather than spread my despondence." The Qunari's eyes shut for an instant, and for a moment Saemus saw the pain he carried, but then the oxman gazed into him again, and it was gone, "The opposite has occurred. I have known you, and now I don't feel alone. I feel… revived. Saved."
He returned to painting, and Saemus realized he would say no more on the subject. For two people so different, they had been exactly alike at their core. Without really thinking Saemus leaned forward and kissed the Qunari, who had busied himself with the painting again. The scout did not push him away, but instead drew into it, placing his painted hand on Saemus' neck. When he pulled away the paint remained in the shape of his palm.
When Saemus saw it he smiled, "That's the best."
Just when Ashaad had almost finished, the heavens above tore open with lightning, then thunder, and a bout of rain began pouring down on them. The recent paint ran into it, effectively ruining the scarlet markings that Ashaad had presented him with.
The two gathered as much as they could, running away to a nearby cave. The food was unsalvageable, as was the dye, and the warmth of the fire that was now staunched. Most everything else made it into the shelter with them.
Saemus pulled on his coat, drenched through, then hesitated as he inspected his decaying paintings.
"What a waste." He sighed, "They were beautiful."
"You will get new ones when you become Viddathari." Ashaad told him, "Perhaps the Arishok will allow me to be the one to paint you again."
"I never would have thought this possible." Saemus said, shaking his head in disbelief, "I fell in love with a Qunari scout, and the Arishok had mercy enough to allow it."
"No, if it were the Arishok's judgement I would have been executed."
"What?" Saemus asked, his brow raised, and the scout looked at him in confusion.
"Intimacy with the unavowed is a sin to our culture, worthy of execution." Ashaad explained, "I thought you knew this."
"What?" Saemus gasped, "Then… why would he allow it?"
"Hawke spoke well of you, I thought you knew?"
"I was told that he said something, but it was neither important nor insignificant! No one told me that he saved your life!"
"As well as yours, kadan. He is well respected by the Arishok." Ashaad nodded, "And by his word, so are you."
"When we return to Kirkwall, I must thank him. Properly. Profusely…" Saemus said breathlessly, looking to his companion, "I love you, Ashaad. You know that don't you?"
The Qunari nodded, "Though I am unsure what to say in return."
"If you feel the same, then you could say 'I love you too' or something similar." Saemus shrugged, "But you don't have to, I mean-"
"I love you as well." Ashaad said, "Is that sufficient?"
"It's perfect." He leaned forward, kissing him. Feeling passionate and ever grateful, he pressed his tongue into the Qunari's mouth, eagerly receiving his lover's into his own.