BioWare owns all but what I made up. : )
So, Kai's Scath are truly free, free from being slaves, free to leave, free to go back to Antiva. And our frisky troublemaker is truly free for the first time in his life, no one will be hunting him from the Crows, and he can be whatever he wants and go wherever he wants. So what will he do?
And another rascal has joined Kai in Ferelden, Zaeed has finally arrived. And that leads to another shout out for Night Hunter MGS who gave me the idea I use here with Zaeed and Kai, for those "Princess Bride" fans, I think you will get a kick out of it. We will have a reunion with Zaeed, Naseel, thanks to Pheonix Fire Lady for the idea I had for that.
The anticipated Zev and Kai naughtiness will happen, but I lied and it will be the next chapter, FINALLY, I know, I know. But this chapter went longer than I anticipated, and I felt the naughtiness deserved its own chapter. I hope you find the wait worth it. : )
Oh, and when you read the part about the fight and the betting, especially afterwards and Kai asks Zev about it. Think the part in the Bruce Lee movie "Enter the Dragon," where the one guy is fighting and his friend keeps upping the points to make the bet higher while his friend looks like he is losing the fight, only to kick ass and clean house. It's one of my favorite movies. I just had it in my head when I wrote it. : )
And as always, thank you all for your reviews, your support, and the love.Thank you Violet Theirin for the kind and concerned PM, you are a doll. Thanks for being worried, but all is well, just real life gave me things I had to get done rather than getting to sit down and write, UGH! I was more worried about disappointing you all. And thanks for telling me not to worry, Night Hunter MGS. I appreciate you all so much, and mnomaha, feel free to print away sweetie. I fixed the thing that bothered me most in the third chapter and such an honor that you want to do that. Thanks for sticking with me, you guys rock my world, and Kai's too! : )
Oh, in case anyone was wondering, it was too confusing to keep Fiona Alistair's mother straight from Fiona Kai's daughter. So 'Fi' is the shortened version of Fiona. And if anyone is familiar with the TV show "Burn Notice," Fiona there is called Fi, pronounced "fee." I actually adore that nickname and character from that show, so that is what Kai and Alistair's daughter is going to go by. Sorry, should have explained that a long time back, mea culpa.
Blesssings! : )
After their meeting with Ignacio in the Gnawed Noble Tavern, Kai and the rest had gone to the one of their hideout for the Scath, and she introduced herself to the newest members. They happily showed off their new vallaslin, or rather those that had theirs' finished showed them off, some were still in the middle of sitting down for theirs. She then distributed all their papers, they well and truly belonged to themselves first, and they belonged to the Scath for as long as they wished, second. That was the salient point Kai made to them all, regardless of the vallaslins they were willing to put on their skins. No one would ever own them again.
It was also while they were there that Zaeed pulled out the jar containing Vimaro's head from the things packed from their old house in Antiva City. He handed it, along with a note from Master Ignacio to Zev. Zaeed shrugged and gave his infectious grin, "He said it wasn't important, just a gift from him to Zevran, since the head was no longer needed as a demonstration device. He told me he figured it should go to Zevran first." Zevran took the note, read it, and then handed it to Kai.
Zevran Arainai,
Both of you shall be legends in our country's history, the Grey Warden who survived a contract by the very Crows themselves, and the assassin who was sent to kill her for whom she was willing to destroy all of Antiva. I hope you understand just how monumental was the task that she accomplished, one that transpired on your behalf, no less. She is beautiful and persistent, your friend, and truly amazing in so many ways.
Even though she gave it to me, this object truly belongs to you. I, for one, am envious of you for many reasons. And I would say Fortune favor you, but how much more favor can Fortune show you than she already has, no? You should let Fortune have some time for the rest of us.
Live a long and prosperous life,
Master Ignacio
Kai snorted, "I would wonder if it is just an Antivan thing to romanticize everything, but Orlesians do it too. It must be we Fereldans who lack this ability to over embellish simple situations." Kai felt herself blushing, "And what is it with the persistent sexual implications, it always makes me feel like a doe being chased by wolves."
Zaeed's grin got wider, "I would say that if anything, you Fereldans take the most complicated and dangerous situations and make them all sound like simple things. You dress them down and put them in plain clothes and brush them off as if they are something anyone could have done, especially you, Scathach, seem to be good that. Either you really are not aware of just how amazing you are, or you are playing at false modesty. From what Naseel has told me, and Rajed and the others, I would say it is not false modesty." Zaeed turned to Zevran, "How is it that she has no idea?"
Before Zev could reply, Kai broke in, "I don't do it on my own, Zaeed, I have a lot of talented help which would include help from Naseel and yourself. Really, I am doing nothing more than what needs to be done and trying not to muck it up too badly along the way. Now, gentlemen, we have packing to do, we leave tomorrow." And with that she turned on her heel, blushing furiously including her ears, as she felt two pairs of eyes on her, Andraste's knickers, really!
The next morning they traveled back to the farm hold safe house to pick up their wounded and recovering Scath, Keiron, and Shale, and then on to Highever. Fergus greeted her with a big bear hug and a grin a mile wide. He got them all situated into rooms and had warm food waiting for them in the dining hall, with food being delivered to those still recovering like Keiron and Rajed. Fergus came back with her to the room he made ready for her and was lying across the bed and playing with the twins who laughed and "talked" him, sounding so much like they were telling him of their adventures.
"I have missed you, little sister" he grinned at her while she unpacked and put things in chests and armoires around the room.
She grinned back at him, "And all this time I thought you found having a little sister underfoot a bother."
Fergus gave her a throaty laugh, "Just because I said I wanted a Mabari instead! You still hold that against me, I was only ten at the time, as you recall."
Kai laughed back at him, "And yet I am the one the Mabari imprinted on. I am truly surprised you didn't resent me, brother dear, while we were growing up."
"Who could resent my sweet sister?" Fergus smiled affectionately at her before tickling the twins on their bellies.
"Who indeed, she even makes assassins sent to kill her and the heads of governments she threatens to topple, admire her," Zev followed his own voice from the doorway into the room carrying more bags.
Kai snorted, "I doubt that Anora would share your sentiments, gentlemen. Though I appreciate the flattery" Kai smiled at them both.
"Kai, I left Vimaro's chest of important papers and trinkets in the Great Hall, I assume that is where we will meet tonight after supper, no? I thought we might go through it then" Zevran put down the bags and rummaged through them to pull out nappies and clothes for the twins. He walked over and handed them to Fergus, "And I think they could use a change, no, Uncle Fergus?" He laughed and walked out the door.
Fergus mocked grimaced at Kai before grinning once again with laughter in his voice, "Slick, sodding bastard."
Kai feigned shock at him, "Oh my, dear brother, what would Mother say about your language?" Fergus just wrinkled his nose at her and started to get Duncan undressed and ready for a clean nappy, Kai laughed at him and did the same for Fi.
"To be honest, dear sister, I have missed you all so much. And I know I have been through this before with Oren, but they get so big so fast don't they?" Fergus grinned at Duncan's smiling little face and blew his lips on the round naked belly eliciting giggles.
"And they are starting to eat some solid foods, well mushed of course." Kai took a moment to enjoy her brother enjoying his nephew, before tickling Fi's feet and grabbing them and putting them in her mouth to take them out again, "And they sleep the whole night, now, which is very nice, to say the least." Kai kissed Fi on her little belly, "And if I may burden you Uncle Fergus, would you mind babysitting? I need to go find Naseel and Zaeed."
Fergus grinned and nodded, "Now I know why you wanted to come home, your motivations are transparent, sister dear – diaper changer, babysitter-I should have guessed!" Fergus's voice was full of mirth.
"Of course, that you get to play doting uncle means you hate every minute right, brother dear?" Kai wrinkled her nose at him and laughed, "I could always ask Morrigan if she would like to help you, just in case you run into any trouble."
Fergus grinned and threw a pillow at her, "Oh, I should have insisted Mother and Father get a Mabari instead, little sisters are evil, evil creatures!"
Kai ducked, stuck out her tongue at him, laughed and left the room. She walked down the hallway and reveled in the sounds, sights, and smells of home. She made a mental note to try and go to the garden with the bees next to the orchard with Fi and Duncan while they were here. After finding one of her Scath and a servant, she discovered that Naseel and Zaeed were last seen going across the training grounds headed for the armory. Kai was on her way there when she caught Zevran trying his assassin sneaking skills.
"It's a good thing I don't startle easily, don't you think?" She asked with a sly grin at him.
"Si, if you did, your Qun training would no doubt have me flat on my back, provided you could catch me." He grinned back at her, "If I thought it bothered you, I would make my presence known as I used to do in camp. I find you are a good target for stealth practice, you almost always discover me, it forces me to try harder." Kai laughed at him and shook her head, "I take it, my dear friend, you are searching for Naseel and Zaeed?"
"Yes, I wanted to speak to Zaeed about Rajed. I want to assure him that Rajed is welcome to stay with the Scath, and I had a thought about training him with some of the Qun arts. They can be done with one or no hands, say if hands were tied behind your back, or someone had grabbed one. I think we can build on some of those moves to include holding a weapon, so Rajed should be able to fight as well he ever did. It's something I have been working on in my head" Kai put a finger to her lips as she slipped into her own thoughts.
"Ah, my dear Kai, always with the devious plans," Zev grinned at her, "There seems, however, to be something else going on in that magnificent mind of yours."
"Well, a new weapon idea, one specifically for Rajed that can be used with those Qun martial arts moves, there is a certain set of kicks and spins that I taught you, the ones called the 'Dance of the Dust Devil?'" Kai looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Yes, the one with much pivoting and precise kicks. It requires one to be agile and limber, but it is very effective against multiple targets surrounding one." Zev looked thoughtful, "You propose a weapon to use with that set of skills?"
Kai nodded and described her idea – a double edged blade with a slight curve, on the end of a long thin chain that could be twirled and spun back out again by the movements of the wielder. If it was done right, it would require only one arm and the use of one's legs and body to direct the chain at a target. Zevran laughed out loud, "Very crafty and very unpleasant for anyone on the receiving end of that weapon. Many people will underestimate its user."
"I wanted to have Naseel and Zaeed help me tell Rajed about it, he always seems so uncomfortable when I try and speak to him at all. And I owe Zaeed an apology for his brother's injury, 'apologize in person,' my father always said." Kai gave Zevran a small smile.
"You always take too much responsibility for the actions of others and none of the credit for your own accomplishments." Zev gave her an appraising look with a raised eyebrow.
"The responsibility is mine, Zev, however appealing it might be to pretend otherwise." Kai felt her cheeks flushing and was relieved to find they had arrived at the training grounds where the armory was located. Kai and Zev made their way across the courtyard of Highever, knights and Scath all practicing with various weapons. They went to the armory door and opened it. Kai and Zev, who was right behind her, walked into the weapons room to see Naseel with her legs wrapped around Zaeed's waist. Zaeed had one hand in Naseel's hair while he held her up with the other and was obviously in the process of kissing her breathless.
Kai grinned and looked at Zev who was also grinning with a cat-that-ate-the-canary expression. Kai found herself coughing slightly and watched as Zaeed turned so he could see who it was without letting Naseel down. The girl was blushing so hard Kai thought a tomato would be less red, as Zaeed set Naseel down on the floor.
Kai tried unsuccessfully to keep from laughing and then to keep the smile from her lips, "I wanted to talk to you both. I hope it isn't a bad time?" Kai heard Zev chuckle slightly. Zaeed only grinned more widely, causing Naseel to blush even harder and mumble something that sounded like 'no', but Kai wasn't sure as the girl's face was pointed at the floor.
"Not at all, Scathach," Zaeed gently touched Naseel on the cheek, causing her to roll her eyes, but she finally looked up. Kai started to make her apology about how grievously his brother had been wounded, but he cut her off with a fierce look, "I will not have you taking responsibility for that, Scathach, that was Erys' doing and she paid, you saw justice done, that is all that is required. What I will say is that you have taken care of him, seen he was healed, treated him like a human being, a person of value, for that I will give you all the praise you deserve. It is far more than Vimaro would ever have done." His fierce look was replaced with a look of quiet gratitude, "And from what I understand, the Scath who took your 'message' to Bann Loren planted the head of the traitorous bitch in his bed along with a breast plate from his men. When he pulled back the covers thinking she was lying there, he found just a head accompanied by a piece of paper with a silver griffon drawn on it. They told me he squealed shrilly enough to wake the dead." Zaeed gave a feral grin, "That will do until you see he is given his full reward, no?"
Kai just shook her head, well, she had told her Scath to be creative, hadn't she? She wanted to laugh but held back, "Well, that leads me to the next thing about your brother, provided he still wants to be a Scath." She went on to explain her idea for training Rajed and creating a weapon made just for him. She asked them to help her talk to the poor lad, who seemed to have a chronic case of shyness where she was concerned. Zaeed just grinned, and without missing a beat, strode across the floor towards Kai, whom he swept up in muscled arms before he planted his lips firmly on hers. She was so shocked, she did nothing, and he set her down before her mind had any time to really process what he'd done.
"Um, well, uh..." oh yes, Kai old girl, way to use those communication skills. Kai felt her own blush mirroring Naseel's. When she dared look at Zev, he was smirking at her and starting to laugh. "What is that, something you Antivans do as a greeting, or a thank you? Great Maker, how do you all get anything done?" Kai just flushed harder as Zevran laughed with Zaeed.
"I have no doubts, even if I'd had any to begin with, that to follow you, Scathach, is an honor and a privilege." Zaeed bowed with a flourish, Kai snorted.
"Yes, well, you may not feel that way when we actually have to confront Anora, you may wonder what the bloody hell you were thinking." Kai grinned despite the blush.
"Scathach, something does worry me a little," Zaeed gave her a concerned look.
"What is that, Zaeed?"
"I don't know how good a warrior you are. I know you know politics, but politicians can be nothing but smiling, soft creatures. How about a little sparring match, it would also be good for me to prove what I can do, no?" Zaeed gave her his cheeky grin.
She laughed and nodded and Zevran helped her get into her Scath armor as Naseel helped Zaeed into his. Kai let Zaeed pick the weapons they would use. He chose for them to fight one handed with daggers and they went out to the training grounds and found a somewhat empty spot to start in. Zaeed and Kai began dancing and weaving along the training area, exchanging blows, testing each other before starting in earnest. Soon, all the others in the area had stopped practicing to watch them face off. Kai obviously had the advantage, which surprised her, until she saw Zaeed grinning. He blocked her blow but just barely, and it only made him grin wider.
"What is so amusing?" Kai just continued to circle around with him, again blocking his blows and getting in her own.
"Oh nothing, except that you are marvelous, Scathach, I admit it, you are far better than I!" Zaeed smiled wider at this.
Kai couldn't help her curiosity, "Then why are you grinning like a cat who stole the cream out of the larder?"
He laughed, "Because I know something you do not know."
"And that would be?" Kai asked as she blocked yet another blow and got in a swipe with her own blade.
His grin got cocky, "My dear leader, I am not left-handed." And he flipped the dagger over in a spinning toss to catch it by the pommel with his right hand as he took aim at her again.
His sudden improvement and change in style caused Kai to grunt with surprise as she redoubled her efforts to parry and thrust. They continued that way for some time with the others watching, now cheering and catcalling. She even thought she heard betting going on, but it was hard to say as she was concentrating on not getting sliced up. She was also getting a good assessment of his fighting style and skill, and he was very, very good.
She allowed a smile to play along her lips, "Zaeed, I think there's something that you should know." Kai found him using his advantage, pressing his weight against her forearm with the dagger point aiming for her throat.
"Oh, and what is that, my dear leader?"
"I'm ambidextrous" Kai twisted by pivoting on her heel and swinging her hip letting Zaeed's own momentum cause him to pitch forward. She spun and gave him a kick to help him keep going away from her, "And I fight dirty."
The fact that he started to trip, but was agile enough to recover after a few stumbling steps spoke volumes to her, she was very impressed. When he had turned around, she flipped her own dagger up and behind her back catching it by the pommel in her right hand, bringing it in front of her while spinning it in her fingers, it was all show of course. With a real enemy she would have just changed hands, but she thought Zaeed might appreciate the dramatic production, though some in the audience apparently didn't. It sounded as though some were regretting their bets, she grinned harder.
Zaeed saluted her with a broad smile, and they returned to sparring. It ended when Kai did a spinning kick in a no-handed somersault and knocked Zaeed to the ground, he found her on top of him, pinning the arm holding his dagger under her knee, while her dagger was at his throat. Both of them were panting, sweating, and out of breath, "I yield gladly, my lady." His dark green eyes sparkled with respect and mirth.
"Isn't she magnificent?" Keiron's voice came from behind her, and she saw he was still sporting most of his bandages and was being led by Wynne to sit outside and get some fresh air.
"Young man, I remind you that you are still wounded and not to get too frisky, not to mention the fact she still has a dagger in her hand." Wynne set Keiron down on a hay bale.
Kai rolled her eyes, "On one hand, I am glad you are better, on the other, not so much." Kai snorted and got up and gave Zaeed's armored chest a couple of slaps before she held out her hand to help him up, "Don't make me get Argus to lick your face off," she told Keiron, which earned a happy bark from the shade near the wall where the Mabari had been napping.
She turned back to her new Scath, "Well, Zaeed, I hope your concerns are laid to rest?" Zaeed just grinned and nodded, "Maybe then we can go speak with Rajed. All my Scath should get back to practicing then, no?" Kai grinned at the crowd.
She, Zaeed, Naseel and Zev all walked back to the armory. As Zevran was helping to unbuckle her from the leather covering, she cocked an eyebrow at him and asked in a whisper, "So, how much did you make?"
Zev gave her a wide, sly grin, "Almost thirty sovereigns, with some silver of course."
Kai almost choked, "Thirty sovereigns!"
"My dear Kai, I must teach you how to work a crowd and have them believe you think the one you want to bet on is going to lose." Zev laughed, "You didn't think I only learned how to kill people did you?"
"So slick you will slide out of your coffin, Zevran," Kai grinned at him
"Si" and he chuckled and continued to help her out of her armor.