BioWare owns all but what I made up. : )
So, we meet Mhairi, and from the reviews, that makes you all very happy. Me too, I was not so thrilled to have a female warrior bite it at the beginning. She was strong, she was eager, and wanted to be a Grey Warden. She was the awesome sauce, and then bing sorry no playing with her now. I promise she gets to do more now. : ) And the idea for Mhairi is Night Hunter MGS, who suggested a way to bring her into "Soulmates." Thanks once again my friend. And Kai gets to storm another ship. Lets hope she doesn't wind up wounded like her last nautical experience. And at least she can be assured that she is in time to save the rest. WARNING: There will be implied rape, again, nothing I will be describing or giving details on. But you know me, I like to warn you ahead of time.
Author shout outs go to kiwibliss for her ME2 Thane sexy, sexy, stories. "Sliding Doors," think of the song "Love In An Elevator" by AeroSmith. And a lovely bathtub one shot with the delectable green guy "Loofahs are Love." For those of you who, like me, just wanted to sexy that scaled fellow in ME2 and didn't get enough from their love scene, these stories are for you! Also for her story "How Fornax Changed My Life," her epic, like this story is for me. Please give it a read if you are ME2 fans. She is an author well worth reading! And a shout out to SCJen on the FF and Shadow Cat Jen on the forum for her story "Migration." A wonderful story with a twist, with the City Elf and the Noble origin wardens surviving and working together.
And shout outs to maggieannb and Dark Lys for putting this story on favs. And to kiwibliss, who writes the sexy Thane stories, for sending me the nicest email about "Soulmates," and for putting me on fav author and the story on alerts. And that leads to a shout out to Tanith Aeyrs who is such a doll, she had is the one who pointed kiwibliss in my direction. So thank you so much sweetie. I am truly honored you think so highly of my story. And since she does and I feel the same for hers, please read and review our lovely Tanith's story "A Grey Wardens Honor." It is full of Zevran angsty goodness.
And a shout out to my beta reader, my friend, who kicks my ass when I need it, Night Hunter MGS. His ideas helped me keep my story arc tight, and far more entertaining because of his suggestions.
And of course I can not go one chapter without my signature love and thanks to you all. To my lurkers, big virtual hugs. To my reviewers, big virtual hugs and kisses. And my gratitude. Reviews help me write the story, help fuel my addiction, and keep me writing. I couldn't do it without you. I count myself blessed. : )
Blessings!
SORRY I didn't this out last night. I was trying to, but failed at the attempt. I even had the day off, for a long weekend, today to, just to write. Did Real Life let me, oh heck no. I hope to give you all a two for one though, along with more fan art. You can find it on the forum or on under Erynnar.
Kai had begun to worry that the sun would be rising soon and they might lose their element of surprise. One could hardly sneak up on a ship wearing all black in the light of day. It sort of ruined the stealth of it all. But a fog had started to roll in as the sun started to warm the surface of the water. It was so thick she worried that they would miss the ship entirely. The fog blurred everyone and curled and moved like a thing alive. Kai felt herself getting into that exhausted state where her thought turned strangely and she had a tendency to find everything funny. The boat beneath her was rocking gently as they rowed out to the ship sitting placidly in the water.
It was the slight bump of the boat hitting the side of the ship that caused her head to snap up, and Zev lightly grasped her arm. She had fallen asleep, and she mentally chastised herself for doing so in front of the others. A fine leader she was if she couldn't stay alert. Luckily she had her hood up and her veil across her nose and mouth making it hard to see her face.
Zaeed used a small crossbow to shoot with one of their Scath hooks attached to rope up the side of the ship. Zaeed scarmbled up the rope nimble as an Antivan monkey. It reminded her of their attack on the mercenary ship, and watching Erys climb on board. Thinking of Erys lead her to the death of Lelyth and that lead her to thinking on the dead at the watchtower. Kai gave herself a mental head slap for going there. Maker's breath, she hoped to sleep for a week at least when this was over.
Kai pulled out the Procule globe, and Naseel with the boats on the other side of the ship informed her that they were all in position and ready to go on her signal. Kai looked up to see Zaeed motion that they could now board. Kai motioned on the globe and then gave the signal to which quickly passed from one boat to the next. The air was briefly filled with flying ropes and hooks while Kai climbed up the rope the way Zaeed had gone. She flipped herself over the edge of the wooden railing to see Zaeed standing keeping watch. Naseel, and Jarren had climbed up when he had. Kai saw in the fog the lumps of bodies from those that had been keeping guard on deck. Kai felt the pang of regret and the urge to get sick all over again. She never thought she would be grateful for that response, but having her brush with her own abyss's allure, she knew it was firmly back behind her humanity again, even as tired as she was.
She motioned Mhairi over. "You said you know where they are holding the others?"
"Yes lady, they spoke of it when they were putting the first group into the boats to get to the ship. There is a large hold at the bottom. They were putting them there." Mhairi motioned with her hands towards the dark doorway leading down into the bowels of the of the vessel.
Kai nodded. "Did you happen to hear why they hadn't loaded the rest of you up and set sail? I am hoping to avoid any nasty surprises."
"Something to do with the rudder mechanism. Someone sabotaged it. Apparently the ship would just travel in circles if they tried to set sail. If their cussing in Tevinter was anything to go by my lady, it is damned hard to repair." Mhairi gave her a grin. "They were fit to be tied."
"Then it had to be one of their own then? None of you could have done it, you have all been locked away." From the expression on Mhairi's face, she had come to the same conclusion.
"I would not want to be the saboteur, for surely they too had the same insight, no?" Zevran's Antivan accent curled out in low tones, from the fog. Kai glanced at him and grimaced.
"That is my fear too. Hopefully they have been too busy worrying about repairing the rudder and not finding their enemy and our unexpected ally." Kai turned to Mhairi. Do you have any idea whom it may be?"
Mhairi shook her head. "No my lady. I thought we were truly going to become slaves in Tevinter." Mhairi's head dropped as her voice shook. "I thought we would never see Ferelden again." Kai reach out and grasped her arm gently. Mhairi looked up and smiled, nodding.
Kai had four Scaths scout ahead. She wanted to take as many on the ship by surprise if possible. Giving them a chance to surrender if they would. The plan seemed a workable one, as they made their way down. The bunks of the soliders of the ships were almost opulent by Ferelden standards, walled in warm wood panels, rugs on the floors. The soldiers who were found sleeping, were easily taken by surprise, unarmed and unarmored as they were. Kai had them all taken in their various states of undress up to the deck of the ship to wait. Any mages were to be subdued if possible, killed if needs be.
It was when they broke into the room of the Captain that they hit their first spot of difficulty. Apparently the captain had company. His company being one lovely redhead who was well, taking riding lessons, at least that was the vision Kai had in her head as she blushed. Said companion of the captain had not only firey red hair but was a mage with actual fire balls at her disposal. Kai had a second to realize the lady's hands were glowing with flame before she and the rest were forced to duck back out and hide around the doorway. "MAGE!"
The fire hit the wooden wall in front of them flaring before leaving a spot of charred wall and the smell of burnt wood. A second followed that one, sparks of flame and bits of red hot wood flying out in all directions, hitting them. The woman's voice was a high pitched squall of a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Kai's Tevinter, which was even poorer than her Antivan or Orlesian, caught only the barest fragments. Zaeed, Mhairi, and Zeran however, seemed to understand every word. And despite the flaming bits of wall raining down on all of them, were grinning wide grins. "It seems the lady in questions resents our intrusion, no?" Zaeed grinned at Zevran who laughed.. Kai snorted, Antivans, they would find humor if the were stuck in a burning house. Or a burning ship in this case. And it would burn down around them if they didn't stop little Miss Flame Fingers soon.
The wall in front of them now had small flames running up the wall. Kai had a moment to wonder if she shouldn't bat the flames out before another fireball hit the side of the doorway near where she was. She could feel the heat through to her side of the wall. She saw another hit the other side of the door. The mage must have figured to get to start aiming for their hiding places now that her initial anger was over. Kai took a quick peek around the door frame and had a second to catch one naked red head and the naked backside of the Captain as he rummaged in a chest for weapons or clothes, she assumed. Maker, please let it be clothes. Her view was obscured quickly by another flaming ball whose heat seared her skin as it went by. Kai was left to wonder if she had any eyebrows left.
This was getting dangerous for all of them, the mage and the captain as well. If the she kept throwing flames at them, the whole ship would be reduced to ash, and all of them with it. Kai motioned for some of her Scaths to go down to the hold, rescue the prisoners get them off the ship. At least they would be safe.
Another fireball explodes on the door frame and Kai felt the heat at her back increase. She was just about to charge when Rajed stepped out into the doorway with Gnat standing at his side. Before she could tell them to get back before they became cooked nugs, Kai watched the chains sail past her line of vision through the doorway. A wet gurgled mewl followed by a thump and the a larger thud came from the room. Gnat and Rajed exchanged grins. Gnat turned and winked at Kai and with a salute yanked her balled weapon back. Kai looked around the door to find the mage's body and head had parted company. The captain, still naked unfortunately, was laying on the floor in a crumpled heap. Kai found a silken robe on the bed, it was obviously the dead mages as it had flowers embroidered on it, and it was a soft pink. Kai threw it at Zaeed and waved her hand at the Captain. He grinned and nodded.
Kai continued on through the ship. Her Scaths had done a thorough job as always. Kai saw very few dead bodies in the rooms as she made her own inspection. It was Naseel who pulled her to the side and motioned for Wynne. "What is it? The prisoners?" Please Maker, not one of them.
Naseel shook her head. "No my lady, not one of ours. Well not a Ferelden." Naseel looked at Kai with a strange look on her face.
"Spit it out Naseel, not a Ferelden, but one of ours? I am not in the mood for riddles." Kai grasped the elven woman's arm.
"The Tevinter mage my lady, the one we met in the Brecilian Forest? Verina? She came back. She-" Naseel bowed her head. "I think she is their saboteur. She is in a horrible way my lady. They were, well, they tortured her. And When I found her some men were, well- they are dead now. But she is in need of healing magic."
Kai nodded. "Take us to her Naseel." She followed the elf down a set of steps and into a side corridor and too a room. The room, unlike the rest of the ship was devoid of the little luxuries the Tevinters seemed to find so necessary. In fact, take it off the ship and put it in the old blood mage hideout, now the Scath hideout. And neither Vimaro, nor Concha would have noticed any difference.
There were four dead bodies lying on the floor. One in a half state of undress. Kai felt her heart beating faster as she glanced at the foot on the edge of a wooden table that had shackles. The shackles dangled by their chains now. She steeled herself to look more closely. Naseel had covered the woman with her cloak. Kai could not have recognized Verina by her face. So swollen and bruised, lips bloodied. Wynne was at the woman's side in an instant, gently lifting the cloak. Kai put her hand on Verina's forehead and her eyes opened to slits. They looked confused at first, and then sparked in recognition.
"Lady, I am so glad you made it. The children, the -" This ended in a horrible wet cough. Kai shot a look at Wynne, who grimaced and shook her head. Verina caught the look and gave Wynne a knowing smile. Wynne's hands glowed and Verina's breathing eased and she seemed more comfortable.
"Lady, I am done for. I just want to know if my death was for naught. When I returned home, it was to keep a watch for more of Anora's treachery involving my country. I thought I could do more, if I went home and worked from behind the scenes. I had hoped to contact you once I was back here, and they did not tell me what we were here for, I think they did not trust me completely. And so, I found out too late. I am so sorry, I failed to save the others at the watchtower. I- "Verina's eyes started to glaze and her breath got shallower.
"No, it was not for you to save them. And you did save the rest. We owe you Verina. They owe you their lives, and we all owe you our thanks." Kai felt tears running down her cheeks and heard the slight popping noise they made as they dropped onto the cloak covering the woman's chest.
"What Anora is doing, what my government is doing, it wrong. I want you to know lady, not all of my people are cruel and heartless. Not all of my people agree with what is going on. Some of us are willing to do what it takes to stop it." The woman's voice was becoming a whisper at this point. "Please remember this lady."
"I know that Verina, you are a true hero of your people. And you will not be forgotten.
Verina smiled and her chest rose once to be let out in one final sigh. Kai felt her vision getting grey and she bowed her head resting on the dead mage's chest. Her hands clenched in fists.
One more person as cannon fodder. One more to the tally against her very soul. A poor stranger who had got herself caught up in all of it and all because of some petty spoiled tyrant in a county not her own. It shouldn't have even been Verina's fight. And yet here she was, her corpse cooling on a wooden table in a ship far from her home. Kai realized she had no idea if Verina had a family, or a husband. Anyone who might miss her and wonder what had happened to her. Kai had no idea who to send word to, or ashes too. Kai was going to see the woman had a proper cremation. She would not go down with the ship into the bay. She directed Naseel to get some Scaths to carry the body out and place it on a boat before they scuttled the ship. Naseel nodded.
Kai stroked Verina's forehead one more time, before turning to Wynne and Zev who had come in behind her. "Lets get the hell out of here." And she strode to the door without glancing back.