BioWare owns everything but my character's and her dog's names. : )
As someone pointed out in a review this story says "complete" but it isn't. I am so sorry for any confusion. I changed it but it keeps showing as complete to me too though I did save the change. The story as you can see is really "in progress."
I hope you keep enjoying the story. I am just glad to have the first part of the funeral out of the way, that was really hard to write. Please feel free to review. And thank you so much for your support! : )
Blessings!
Kai stood with her extended family and watched the flames lick at the bier, sending greasy black smoke into a beautiful blue sky. Fergus wrapped his arms around her waist this time. Zev took her hand once again and Teagan put her other hand in the crook of his elbow. They all seemed to press closer in comfort while the crowd behind them seemed to be dispersing. "Anora." Kai called out as Anora had turned to begin to leave. "A word if you would."
"What are you up to little sister?" Fergus whispered.
"Playing my hand at 'Wicked Grace,' dear brother," Kai whispered back. Anora reluctantly turned and came towards Kai. Her face was schooled and neutral, Kai made her own features mirror Anora's, "Anora, who will be gathering Alistair's ashes?"
"I have some of my people set for that task. They will remain here and gather them while I-we head to Denerim." Anora looked Kai with a slight eyebrow tilt.
"No," I will gather the ashes and gather his armor" Kai merely continued to look at Anora carefully keeping her face a mask.
Anora's eyebrows shot up as her eyes narrowed in anger. "But I wish to travel to Denerim today!" Anora's voice was becoming a hiss.
"Careful Anora or people might start thinking you don't love Ferelden and love only power." Kai simply continued keeping her own voice conversational. "I will not leave something as important as Alistair's remains to any but me. You are free to travel to Denerim without me, simply make an excuse to the people who are waiting there to see the 'Hero of Ferelden.' I am sure they will understand whatever excuse you come up with, no?" Kai cocked her own eyebrow and tilted her head toward Anora. "Ah, I see that even you think the people would not buy any story you might make. They will want to see me. Well then, it seems we won't be leaving until the ashes have cooled and we have them and his armor safely sorted away." Kai merely shrugged. "I will send word when it is done." Kai merely waved a hand to let Anora know she was done talking.
Anora's face became a mask of fury, and she drew close enough that Kai could smell her scent, soft flowers, and lavender. "I am queen, how dare you treat me this way!"
"You are not queen yet Anora, I know how clever you think you are." Kai let a small smile play along her lips as she said a couple of names. "Arl Howe, Ser Cauthrien?" Kai let out a little chuckle as Anora's eyes got wide. "Oh yes Anora, and if I could figure that out, I wonder what other dirty little secrets you've been hiding I might be able to find? Or what other plots I can uncover. Like the one where you dress Alistair as Cailan, maybe?" Kai shrugged at her again. "You want power, but I know what you really want more than that Anora."
Kai watched as Anora huffed, waved her arm dismissively, and turned and took a few steps to leave. "You know nothing of what I really want."
"I know you want the love of the Fereldan people. Daddy wasn't around you and your mother much I understand. He was busy helping Maric in Denerim, the country needed him. Or so he said, but it seems he was running away from his pretty young wife and pretty young daughter. You didn't get enough of Daddy's love, so you need something to fill that hole." Kai watched as Anora spun back and had her face close to Kai's again, snarling like any rabid dog.
"That isn't true, you take that back!" Kai kept her face passive and stared Anora down. It was Anora, like Lady Isolde earlier, who looked away.
"You want their love. If you harm anyone I care about, I will personally make sure that you never get that love no matter what it takes. As the 'Hero of Ferelden,' I have that power. You would do well to remember that Anora. We will wait until I have gotten the ashes. It should be done by tonight and we can leave in the morning. That isn't so long to wait now is it?" Kai kept her face neutral, but the adrenaline was starting to wane and her legs were getting shaky again.
Luckily for Kai, Anora apparently had enough. She simply nodded and walked away from Kai in great strides her fists clenched at her sides. She turned when she was a few steps out, "You think you know everything, but there are some things you haven't even figured out, Warden." And with that Anora stalked off.
"Well that was exhilarating." Teagan laughed.
Eamon looked at Kai. "She reminds me of Loghain more and more."
"That last line was cryptic. I wonder what the little viper meant. You are playing a dangerous game indeed little sister. You need to be extra careful." Fergus had turned her around and hugged her.
"Don't worry brother, Mother and Father taught us well the game of politics, remember? And I have a few things I learned while fighting the Blight that they didn't teach me. Plus I have the best and most talented friends to help me" She hugged him back hard.
"True, my dear Gray Warden" Zev's voice sounded behind her, Kai turned to see the assassin putting a small very sharp dagger back in a hidden sheath in his clothing. A dagger Kai had reason to know was meant for close in work and coated in a very nasty poison, she could only burst out laughing.
"You really know how to win friends and influence people Warden." Kai almost fell over when Oghren smacked her on the back.
"Thanks Oghren, I think." Kai put a hand on the dwarf's shoulder to steady herself.
"Well, if we are going to stay here watching the little pike twirler burn, we will need provisions. Hey Fergus, you wouldn't have any more ale around would ya?" Oghren now clapped Fergus on the back almost toppling him forwards.
"Well my friend, let's go see what we can find." He winked at Oghren and turned briefly to Kai. "You'll be all right here?"
"Rest assured she will be fine, my dear Gray Warden is in good hands." Zev nodded at Fergus. "But I for one, do not relish sitting on the cold ground, so if someone might bring some chairs for us to sit on?"
"I suppose what the painted elf means me as the 'someone' he is referring to." Shale sighed. "Of course it does. It was not enough I carried tents and supplies all over Thedas, now it wants me to cart chairs. I should squish its head like a lemon." But Shale turned back toward Highever with Fergus and Oghren.
"I am going to go get Schmooples and food, and my lute! Wait for me!" Leliana babbled as she jogged towards the group.
Isolde had already left with the majority of the crowd, which left Kai standing with Sten, Teagan, Eamon, and Zev. No one seemed inclined towards conversation. "Please be careful my love, very, very careful." Alistair's voice spoke into her ear, Kai just looked at the clouds floating so peacefully in the blue sky.
Sten seemed to be looking towards the receding backs of their friends and started to walk to catch up. "Sten, where are you going?" Kai asked teasing the Qunari, she knew full well he was off to get more cookies. She smiled at his retreating back.