BioWare owns all except what I made up. : )
SPOILER ALERT: More from the books in this chapter. And I hope you didn't mind the last huge spoiler chapter. I felt a chapter needed to be done that bridged the gap between my story and the new expansion. And I wanted to explain the large darkspawn group filled with smarter darkspawn. So thanks for bearing with me. I also hoped a little comfort lovin' with Zev was a nice little bonus for you all. I was certainly fun for me to write. : ) So earring time and Lelyth's siblings, really this time, I promise. ; D Also Rajed and his new weapon.
SPOILER STORY for Awakenings. A shout out goes to Fluid Conciousness's new story "Foreign Affairs." It is a wonderful story of a mage Orlesian Warden Commander. I highly recommend it for your reading list. : )
Shout out to Night Hunter MGS, who gave me the inspiration for the cat fight in this chapter. : D
Translation of Naseel and Gnat's convo. N: Watch where you are going! G: No, you watch where you are going. N: Gnat? They should have named you Flea. G: Cunt. N: Kiss my ass, bitch. G: Kiss it? It is so skinny I would have to find it. Just what is your problem with me? N: I saw how you looked at Zaeed! G: He looked at me. I can't help it if he has wandering eyes and that they wandered in my direction, no? N: Go fuck yourself. I am going to kill you!
And thank you to two of my newest reviewers, KireinaKittie and IceYousha! Welcome to the story and I hope you continue to enjoy the ride as much as I enjoy writing it for you. And thanks to cmiller09 for putting my story on favorites. And as is my usual habit, thank you to all the lurkers, the supporters, the reviewers. What can I say, but you all make my heart go pitter pat. I am blessed. I admit it, I am addicted to your reviews and addicted to writing the story. Not bad as addictions go, I guess. : ) Anyway, hugs from me to you!
Blessings!
Kai woke up, her naked body curled around Zev's. The sun was streaming through the windows, washing the room in early morning light. She snuggled closer to him, her hand brushing the smooth skin of his chest. In the light of day, she could almost convince herself that it had all been a nightmare, but Kai had never been anything but practical and a realist. As tempting as it might be to set aside what Alistair had told her, she knew she would not, could not, even temporarily for peace of mind.
She sighed. Zev's arms tightened around her, one hand gently stroking her back and the other her arm in a way that soothed at the same time as it aroused. "Much as I enjoy the art of love with you, my beloved friend, I know that last night was more than just that. You were trying to drive the demons away. So, what is it that has you so frightened, I wonder? Especially a woman who does not scare easily. What happened, Kaidana?"
Kai went on to tell Zevran everything Alistair had told her second hand from Duncan and Maric. Zev's hands stopped stroking her and became still. As she went on, his hands gripped her tighter, and he pulled her closer to him, kissing her forehead. "While it is disturbing," Kai snorted and he continued, "you are not alone. You never have been, and now you have more allies. We will do what needs to be done, no?" He raised her chin up to look at him and smiled at her. "I know this because I see the woman you are and the way you lead." He kissed her and then rolled out of bed to start the water running in the bath. "We will need to tell the others, though. And your Scath too. But for now, bath. Then we had better collect the twins. I don't know how much Fiona appreciated my sending them to her so late last night." Zev grinned back at her. "We can get Leliana to help us pierce our ears. And then you will need to see Lelyth's brother and sisters. They are coming for lunch."
"Zev, I always meant to ask you. The earring, you said you took it off a Rivanni merchant prince, your first job, and he was wearing nothing else?" Zev smiled and merely "hmm'd" at her as he poured bath salts into the tub, mixing the water with his hand. "How did Vimaro wind up with a second identical earring?"
"Ah, well I had hidden the first one from Vimaro. If he had known I had kept it as a keepsake..."
"He would have taken it and put it in his little box of trophies to gloat over." Kai frowned. "To 'train' you to be cold of course. Really, he just liked tormenting people." Kai's hand's gripped into fists. Zev walked over to sit next to her on the bed, taking her hand in his and uncurling her fingers, kissing her palm and then her wrist.
"When I started to have feelings for Rinna, I had another earring made to match it. It is almost identical but for one small difference only Rinna and I knew. Rinna had both ears pierced. That way, she could lie to Vimaro and say she had stolen the earrings while on a job. Vimaro was less likely to take things you stole off a mark as they would hold no value to you. If it wasn't important to you, he didn't have any interest in it." Zev looked at their linked hands. "When Taliesin slit her throat and after I..." She kissed his shoulder. "...After I spit on her I took the original earring back. The one I had made I left behind. I wanted nothing to do with it. Taliesin must have told Vimaro of my feelings for her, hence the contract to get me to kill her. Taliesin must have taken that earring and given it to the monster as proof the contract had been fulfilled. Even though Taliesin had to slit her throat in the end, he lied to get what he wanted. He became Vimaro's second."
"I am so sorry. I shouldn't have asked." He leaned in and kissed her.
"No, my friend, you are the only person I have ever been able to talk to about such things. You have never judged me, only accepted me as I am. You do that for all of us. It is truly a blessing. So, you will wear the one I took off the prince, and I shall wear the one I had made. That way you may be reminded when you touch it of how precious you are to me." He stroked her face and put his lips to hers. "I am going to get the twins. You take a bath. Then, I can take one."
Kai watched as he threw on some clothes and left. She got in the warm water and scrubbed down, using the scented soap on skin and hair. It helped to settle her more after last night's revelations. She rinsed off, drained the tub and filled it again for Zev. She had just finished getting dressed when Zev and Fiona walked in with the twins. Fiona grinned at Kai and winked, tilting her head towards Zev. Kai gave her a small smile in return as they got her and the twins settled. Kai wasn't sure how to handle the subject of what she'd learned the previous night, so she just plunged in and told Fiona about the group of large organized darkspawn and Alistair's information from the Fade.
Fiona blushed and looked away. "I should have told you. I was told not to speak about it by the Grey. But you are a Warden, technically, like me even if we don't have the Taint anymore. I had gone searching for Utha and The Architect, but we couldn't find them. The Grey in Weisshaupt had me call off the search. They assumed that The Architect died from his wounds, and they assumed Utha was turned into a broodmother." Fiona grimaced. "It was a nice fantasy the Grey convinced themselves of. We all, I suspect, hoped it was true. Especially Duncan, Maric and I. Utha was our friend, and yet she let that monster turn her into a darkspawn. She helped him. Her family had been annihilated by the darkspawn. She became a Silent Sister, swore revenge, became a Warden because of it. And still, she betrayed everything we were to join with the very thing she swore to kill." Fiona wept. "We lost good friends. Maker, I haven't thought of them in years. Kell the hunter and his Grey Warden dog Hafter. Nicholas and his love Julien." Fiona let out a little sob. "It hurts just as much now as it did then." She wiped tears from her face and tried to smile. "I am the only one left. Even my own son, gone before me." Kai reached out and grasped the woman's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"Well, not quite everyone. You have your grandchildren." Kai smiled at her.
"And I have a daughter?" Fiona looked at her hopefully.
"You have a daughter, of that there is no doubt." Kai grinned. "And since I am your daughter, you get Fergus as well." Kai laughed.
Fiona gave Kai a mock grimace and wrinkled her nose. Kai laughed. Fiona helped Kai get the twins up and burped and changed. Zev, not bothered in the slightest by company, had gotten his bath while they talked and dressed himself. And had disappeared. Kai and Fiona were about to leave for the dining hall when the door opened and Zev walked in followed by Leliana. Leli looked very excited and had a leather pouch with her.
"Zev told me he wants me to help you pierce your ears!" The pretty redhead was practically bouncing up and down. "Finally, something to give you more of a feminine look! I tried to get you interested in shoes, but you won't budge. And this is so romantic, too! I can't wait to write a song about it for your ballad." She grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. Fiona had a quizzical look on her face, so Kai explained. Fiona just laughed and seated herself on the bed with the twins and watched. Leliana had Zevran sit down first. She took out what looked like a sewing needle, but larger and very sharp. "I know elves' ears are very sensitive, so I will try and be gentle."
"My dear, you could make this more fun if you had some rope or chains. Gentle, I am not worried about. But this could be so much more enjoyable for all present, no? I have three beautiful women here with a bed..." Anything else Zev was going to say was lost in a slight grunt as Leli jabbed the large needle through Zev's ear along the edge at the top. Leli quickly put in the earring that Zev handed her and held a cloth to the ear until the bleeding stopped.
"You had better watch it. I might take you up on your innuendo, young man!" Fiona laughed at him.
"Si, I would hope so! I had a friend who said older women have more experience. I had hoped to find out with Wynne, but alas, she is cruel and a tease." Zev winked at Fiona and gave Kai a sly grin before pushing her towards Leli.
"Ugh, is that shameless man hitting on my mother again?" Alistair's voice chuckled in her ear, only to sober immediately. "I am so sorry, my love, about last night. I hate being the bearer of bad news. But I couldn't stand it if something happened because you didn't have important information."
"Ali, I am not mad at you, or even really at Duncan, your mother, or Maric. I am miffed at them. But who am I to judge decisions from the past? I wasn't there. How much of what I do here, now, will be looked on kindly in future generations? And I did need to know, even if it scares the sod out of me. Thank you for telling me, beloved." Kai gave him a mental smile.
"I love you very much. Zev is right, you will do what has to be done. And you are not alone, for which I am very grateful." She could feel his smile and his love.
She was interrupted when she felt a sharp pain in her earlobe. Before she could protest, the other lobe and the top curve of her ear had all been pierced. Leli, the sneak, had pierced not just the curve of her ear for Zev's earring, but she had sneakily hit Kai with "girly" piercings and had stuck some bobs in the holes. "Leli! You were only supposed to give me one hole in my ear!"
Leliana just giggled. "Aw, please Kai, you won't even notice them once they have healed. And this way when you have to dress up, you will be able to really dress up." Kai just huffed at her. Her ears were throbbing. "Please, Kai don't take them out." Leliana pouted and gave Kai her "puppy dog" eyes again.
"UGH! Fine, I promise I won't." Kai caught Leliana giving Zev a knowing look which she could not interpret. She decided it was some secret joke and to leave it at that.
With that task done, they made their way to the dining hall to get some breakfast. Kai had one of the servants fill plates with food and place them on a tray to set outside the bedroom for Morrigan and Fergus, since they still hadn't surfaced. When they had eaten, Fiona and Wynne took the twins off to the garden, their heads together talking magic and potions no doubt. Kai and Zev decided to gather all the Scath and lead some practice sessions with them and introduce Rajed to his new weapon.
They gathered in the training area. Zevran took the rogues and assassins from her Scath off for training with a bow and to practice their archery skills. He was also teaching the Ferelden Scath who weren't ex-Crows the fine art of poison making after their target practice. Kai had Zaeed and Naseel stay with her so that they could offer support for Rajed. Kai had no doubt this would be frustrating and even emotional for him. He was going to have to retrain his body. As Kai had tried his new weapon with two good arms and smacked herself silly with it, she knew how difficult it was going to be for Rajed with only one good arm and a stump. She asked Leliana to help as well, since Leli was as cheerful and sweet and patient as she could be. She would help to bolster Rajed's spirits. Keiron was in the training yard also, and after speaking with Zev, he began to gather any Scath who were shield warriors for training and practice. Sten and Oghren were sitting and sharpening weapons while watching, along with Shale, the bustle of what could be a normal day. Unfortunately, Kai's life and world were anything but normal. She wanted to laugh. Her father had once told her that if anyone said, "may you live in interesting times," it was meant as a curse, not a boon. And Maker, was he right.
Kai reached up and touched the hoop in the top of her ear, and she thought of the rose in a wooden box in her room. Even curses could have their blessings. But, thinking about the rose in her room lead her to two people occupying said room and what was going on in it. ARGH! She gave herself another mental head slap.
Rajed had been practicing the balancing exercises while she had been away. She praised him and gave him the weapon, unwinding the chain and making sure the leather sheath was secure. She explained to Rajed how she had practiced with it, including tying her arm down. She showed him the moves that she had put with the unique blade. She offered him a demonstration and warned him it took her time to get the feel for it, being used to daggers not a chain with a blade. He had nodded and asked to take it off by himself. He told them he would practice by the lake and walked off in that direction. Kai worried over him. He was such a sensitive soul. But Zaeed and Naseel both assured her that he was doing better than they had expected. He had his moments, but they passed quickly. Kai nodded and motioned for them to follow her and join in the training.
Hours later, Kai was hot and sweaty. Judging from the position of the sun, Lelyth's siblings should be showing up soon. So absorbed in her own thoughts was she that it took her a moment to realize there was yelling going on, two loud angry female voices in fact. Naseel and Gnat were standing in the middle of the compound pointing fingers and each speaking in her native tongue. They both seemed to understand each other. Zev sidled up next to her and watched. Soon, everyone in the whole area had stopped practicing and was standing and watching the two beautiful elven women – one tall and dark, the other diminutive and light – square off with each other. It's like watching the night sky argue with the moon, Kai thought. There had to be a poem in there somewhere. What they were saying to each other, however, was anything but poetic. In fact it reminded her of an argument she had witnessed between two prostitutes at The Pearl once.
"Reloj se va!" Naseel glared at Gnat.
"Vous regardez ont été vous allez!" Gnat waved her hand at Naseel in a dismissive gesture and started to walk away. Naseel grabbed Gnat's shoulder and spun her around.
"Mosquito? Deben te he nombrado pulgas." Naseel gave Gnat a wicked grin.
"Connard." Gnat spat on the ground.
Kai heard Oghren's trademark laugh. "Anyone want to take bets on when the hair pulling starts?" Kai tossed a couple of coins at Oghren and gave her time, then turned back to watch the ongoing argument.
"Besa mi culo, puta." Naseel growled. Kai had caught that one without trouble. It was about this time that Wynne and Fiona walked up, without the twins who must be with a servant and down for a nap.
"Ce baiser? Il est si maigre comment pourrais-je trouver?" Gnat's voice asked in mock sweetness. "Tout ce qui est votre problème avec moi?"
"Braska! Vi cómo te miraba Zaeed!" Naseel, face red with fury, stepped closer to Gnat.
"Ha votre ami Zaeed, me regardait." Gnat grinned, cocked her head and shot a sly glance at Naseel. "Je ne peux pas l'aider s'il a les yeux errants. Et ils ont erré dans ma direction, no?" Gnat winked and started to walk away again, while giving a low chuckle.
It was then that Naseel pummeled Gnat from behind while screaming, "Va Chingate, voy a matarte!"
They started grappling and clawing. When anyone made a move to stop them, Kai motioned for them to stand down. Best to let them get it out of their systems. They wouldn't kill each other. Well, probably wouldn't. Neither woman was using her training, so the threat of death was not a serious one.
"Hehe, I might need to go jump in that cold lake of yours, Warden, before they get done." The dwarf took a swig of his mug, his eyes attentive beyond just watching for said hair pulling.
Zevran chuckled. "In Antiva, there is a place, well several, where they would be dressed in thongs and tassels and would fight in a pool of warmed oil or mud or something we call chocolate. This is far too dusty, though not without its enticements, no, my dwarven friend?"
Oghren looked at Zev. "Oil, huh? I wonder if they ever tried fighting in beer? Now that would be something!"
"If they did that, Oghren, you would get thrown out for trying to get in the pool with them and drink it." Kai grinned at him.
"Hah, Warden, very funny!" Oghren wiped his mouth with his sleeve after taking another swig from his mug. "But, you're probably right. I should get myself to Antiva sometime."
Kai saw that the dust was finally settling as it appeared that Naseel and Gnat had stopped fighting and were lying on their backs, side by side in the dirt of the compound floor, breathing heavily and sporting various bruises, cuts and bloody lips. She watched as they looked at each other. Kai wasn't sure if they were going to start up again or if they were going to kiss each other instead.
Gnat got to her knees, stuck out her hand to Naseel and said in perfect Antivan. "Amigas?"
Naseel laughed and gave Gnat a great big grin, speaking Orlesian. "Oui, amis!" Naseel threw her arms around Gnat's shoulders still laughing as Gnat put her arms around Naseel's waist, and they walked towards the barracks' bathing area, talking. Kai didn't know if the varying glazed looks on the males, and even some of the female faces, were due to the fight, their sudden cease fire friendship, or the idea of their bathing together. Zaeed and Keiron's glazed little wolfish grins she understood perfectly. Oghren had the same look. She laughed out loud at them; only Oghren didn't jump and look sheepish.
Jarren, who had been watching the fight and the crowd in his usual way, did not seem to be as affected as the others were. "I will never understand women!" And with that he took himself back to practicing with his daggers on one of the dummies.
It turned out that Wynne won the pool on when the hair pulling would start, with Zev and Fiona a close second and third. Oghren handed over the coins to Wynne who had a little triumphant smile on her face. Kai snorted, Figures. She did wonder if Wynne hadn't had a cat fight or two in her past, for all her calm demeanor.
Kai was just about to see about getting a bath and changing for Lelyth's siblings' visit when a Highever guard came forward with a young man of about sixteen, a girl of about twelve, and a little girl about six. Even if Kai hadn't been expecting them and Lelyth hadn't talked about them so much that she felt she knew them, she still would have known they were related to her former Scath. The boy, Graeme, looked just like his older sister, with the same blonde hair and big blue eyes. The older of the two girls, Kylie, had blonde curly hair and eyes the same shape and size of Lelyth's, but in a light gray that was almost silver. The little one was the only one who didn't look so much like Lelyth. Mairi was strawberry blonde with light green eyes which were opened wide and taking in everything.
Kai felt her hands go clammy and her heart catch in her throat. She walked forward to greet them. Graeme strode forward and slung out his fist, catching her on the jaw before she could duck. The guard grabbed the young man by the shirt front, and several Scath started forward. Kai waved them off and motioned for the guard to let the boy go. She picked herself up and faced him. Graeme's face was a mask of hurt, anger and anguish. "You killed my sister! First we lose our parents, and then you kill Lelyth!"
"I did, I was her leader. And she died because of a traitor I did not see in our midst. You have a right to be angry. To hate me even. And you have the right to a sucker punch. Now I offer you two more without me stopping you. One for each of your sisters too." Kai shrugged and stood waiting.
It was Kylie who stepped between Kai and her brother, putting up her own fist. "If you touch her Graeme, by Andraste's flaming knickers I will knock you down and break your nose like I did when we were little!" Mairi started to cry, and Graeme's face crumpled. Kylie went and grabbed her sister in a hug. "It is okay, Mairi, don't cry. I won't hit Graeme." Her face when she turned back to her brother was still angry, but she went to him and touched his shoulder. Graeme looked at Kai, his shoulders slumped and tears streaming down his cheeks.
Kai stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder, her own tears wetting her skin. She looked him in the eye. "I am sorry, Graeme." He just looked at her and then buried his face in her shoulder like a lost little boy. Kylie and the little one all joined in surrounding him and Kai. They stood like that until the bell rang for lunch.