The Rogue's Conquest
Chapter Four
They lay; legs entangled with each other's, Isabela's head pillowed on top of Hawke's chest. Her breathing was slow and study, somewhere between the fade and reality. Every so often she'd arch into Marian's light circling fingers on her spine, purring her approval, before cuddling in closer to the mage's body. At some point during their sport, they'd made it to the floor and now were spread naked before the warmth of the crackling hearth. The polished hardwood beneath them was as comfortable as any plush rug, though Marian couldn't explain why, perhaps these moments were too precious to ruin over such silly things as discomfort. Isabela so rarely stayed for the aftermath of sex, preferring to exit immediately after the deed. Marian however, enjoyed relishing in the calm after the storm, with her lover sated next to her.
Absentmindedly, Marian stroked the pirate's back, while thinking over everything that had transpired in the last few hours. She still wasn't completely willing to accept and believe he was here. Sebastian Vael haunted her nightly in the fade as her lover, in her waking hours he shone brightly in her precious Nova and now… He would be marching through her tavern and city as her enemy. Oh how them sainted Gods enjoyed their irony. She'd have to live with Sebastian, she accepted this fact, and the question now was how she was going to do that? One moment she wanted to throttle him with a fireball for his smug, arrogance and in the next, she could barely keep herself from melting into a pile of sexual desire before his feet. The very thought of Sebastian's sun kissed body gloriously naked, with her jockeying his most blessed member had her pulse racing and heat flooding to her nether regions. She groaned silently to herself at the images. Andraste's tits, her emotions had never been so volatile. She was known to be diplomatic in all her dealings. Her ability to hide her feelings and stay neutral to every cause is what garnered her the favor of Kirkwall's people. She was levelheaded GOD DAMN IT! Though much like everything else that had been shifted with the Templar invasion, she supposed that her rational mind had to turned traitor and fled. All she could hope was that this "inquiry" wouldn't last long. That he would leave, back to whatever hole he crawled out of and she'd only ever have to think of Sebastian Vael, as a not so fond memory.
Though… If she were honest with herself… Since giving up her titles, life had gotten boring for her around Kirkwall. Sure she still over saw issues the people of the city had, but it was never anything more than bored nobles squabbling over land titles, or her personal favorite, "the incoming of Ferelden dog lord refugees." Sometimes she wondered if they'd forgotten were she, their "Champion" had come from. But even with those small amusements she often found herself bored. She hadn't roasted a single bandit in almost a year, maybe longer! He added spice to her life, Sebastian Vael did, whether she cared to admit it or not.
"Mistress Hawke there's a – Ooo… ohh my…" Orana fumbled at the entrance of the parlor. "Forgive me mistress, but the door was open." The little elf danced from foot to foot uncomfortably, eyeing the two naked women before her. Both Hawke and Isabela, now fully awake, simply lay there watching Orana's nervous tsking. Marian was surprised the elf wasn't scolding her and Isabela for their, 'brazen display' as Orana no doubt thought it, in a public parlor were anyone could walk in no less. "GASP! The scandal of it!" Marian could almost hear the stern woman's thoughts.
Orana hadn't always been a fearsome lioness. In fact, when Marian first found the petite whip, in the bowels of a slaver den on the Wounded Coast, the girl had been frightened of everything, being beaten constantly and watching your entire family bled like swine, to fuel blood magic, did that to a person Marian suspected. Orana had also been incredibly confused, knowing only a slave's life she had no experience beyond that of her master's will. Marian had known she couldn't send the girl away; that she'd end up in the wrong hands if she'd been sent fleeing from the cavern alone, so Marian did the only decent thing she could, she employed the elf, not knowing how much of a blessing she'd be to Marian. As time went on Marian also made it her mission, to coax the young elf out of her slave shell and much to Marian's delight, it had worked, Orana was sharp tongued and full of fire. Though Hawke couldn't take the credit, she suspected that Fenris, once a Tevinter slave himself had been the real reason for Orana's change. The two ex-slaves initially started a rocky friendship over their shared abuses, finding understanding were there had been none. With time and perhaps some extreme meddling from both Marian and Isabela, the elves started spending more time together. Eventually Orana began spending her nights away from the Rose in favor of Fenris' commandeered mansion. They were good for one another, each teaching the other new things. Orana taught Fenris to forgive, to love and in return Fenris taught Orana to be tough in the face of adversity, and what it meant to be loved so completely. Marian had even begun to spot the couple walking about the Hightown markets, arms linked Fenris relaxed but watchful, while Orana haggled with merchants over prices.
And Gods the little elf could haggle! She could talk a leprechaun into giving up his gold and he'd throw in his hat for good measure. Without Orana, Marian wasn't sure she'd have been able to keep the Rose running so smooth. She was Marian's right hand and the Rose's head chef. Orana's cooking was to blame for Marian's ever growing arse. From Kirkwall, to Starkhaven and beyond the elven woman's cooking was a delicacy. There had even been a bard that visited the Rose once, to write a song for her and the cooking that brought kings to their knees. The pretty elf could go anywhere and find better work. Far better than Marian could ever offer, but she stayed. Her loyalty to Marian was strong, as was Marian's to her. She'd damn the consequences and raise absolute hell if Orana so wished it.
"No harm done Orana." Bela said stretching like a lazy cat, before untangling herself from Marian to fetch her armor scattered about the room. "Hawke and I were just working on our battle strategy." Isabela deadpanned." You know to take down this Templar influence. I think it's going well if I do say so myself."
"I'm sorry Ms, Bela, I fear your "strategy" will fail miserably!" Orana said curling her fingers in invisible quotations. "Throwing tail at chaste men seems like a futile plan. Maker, do you think they'd even know what to do with it if you did?" Her sweet voice dripped with feigned wonder. The elf winked towards the pirate, all three women breaking into laughter.
"Well you see, we were actually talking battle plans," Marian interjected seriously. "But Isabela can be so insatiable sometimes! I mean really, one minute we're talking about Templar boats docking in our harbors and in the next we're on the piano, making it sing… Naked!"
"I like big boats, I can not lie." Retorted Isabela with a sighed giggle.
"Oh aye B, I remember that well. After all you did try to slit my throat that one time." Marian mused, rubbing at her throat where she could still feel the cold, biting steel of the blade. She turned a thoughtful gaze to the hearths slowly dying embers. "I suppose with so many Templars underfoot, we should probably at the very least close the door though."
"Yes mistress, if you ever plan on getting rid of them that is. They may be chaste, but they are still men. You'll be accommodating Templars even after the Divine pulls out, if you're giving them free shows."
From behind her she heard Isabela snort something barely audible about talking to the Knight-Commander, but Marian missed it. Before she could question her, Bela was leaving with a grin over her shoulder, waving with her pinky finger then melding into the shadows. Marian moved from her warmed spot on the hardwood floor. Stretching her overworked form, she groaned, her taut muscles yelping in protest. It would seem her and Bela's sport had been wild indeed, she laughed dreamily.
Orana briskly moved around the room collecting Hawke's clothes. Once she secured every item, including the small emerald clip that had been in Marian's fiery hair, the elf tossed them at her mistress, bringing Marian out of her daze and back to reality. Quickly Marian dressed, with Orana's help, she smoothed her curls and re-pinned the clip. Just like that Marian Hawke donned her icy mask, glazing over her vivid ocean blue eyes, with the dead solemn ones she showed the world. She was again the frigid widow and tavern owner that people, other than her close friends, knew her as.
"Now, Orana I want you to be certain you always keep the cellar door locked. I also want you to make sure as long as these Templar scum are housed in the Rose, that you leave absolutely nothing unattended in the kitchen. While that young Corporal has assured me, that the Templar force would be receiving rations from their own quartermaster, I have serious doubts the men will be able to resist stealing a taste of your cooking."
"I don't know a man who can Mari." Orana proudly stated. "Trust me though, if any of those self important, golden horned eunuchs, come sneaking about my kitchen, they'll be met swiftly with my cleaver."
A changed woman indeed, Hawke thought merrily. "If we had just a few more hundred of you and that cleaver, we'd have these chantry men running back to their Divine in fear." Marian laughed only half joking. Orana had become a lethal woman under Fenris' tutelage. "Now as for supper-"
Orana raised her hand to silence Marian. "I actually came in here to tell you Serha Gabriel and Messere Anders, are in the kitchen asking for you."
"Gabriel is here? Now?!" Hawke asked, a little frantic.
"Aye Mari and Messere Anders as well." Marian hardly heard Orana's answer. She quickly lifted her robes so she wouldn't trip over them and made for the kitchen. Both Gabriel Vael and Anders were known as brave men, daring men even. Gabriel had fought next to Marian for peace and freedom, and of course Anders had started the title wave that began the mage's rebellion in the first place. Brave as they may be though, they were both tempting fate coming to the Rose while the Divine's army occupied her. Anders for Maker's sake; was still wanted for his crimes against the chantry.
When she made it to the kitchen, the room was empty. Orana's half-crimped piecrust sat on the counter, next to the rolling pin. The back door was closed and latched. Perhaps they got sick of waiting, or they had to leave to avoid a Templar solider. More likely, Anders realized how stupid it had been for them to come to the tavern in the first place and talked Gabe into leaving. Confused she walked toward the back door, to bolt it shut for good measure.
The man's hand snaked around her mouth before she could scream, the other quickly coming around her waist, she didn't have time to react, to think. The arm around her waist managed to pin her arms to her sides when he grabbed her. Though not having her arms free wouldn't stop her from channeling magic, it did make it more difficult. With her mana still depleted from her and B's love making she was trapped. Her attacker was so much bigger than her, she could feel his rock hard muscles flex and tighten as she struggled futilely. With her back held to his chest and her arms caught, she did the only thing she could think of. She bit down on the meaty part of her attacker's hand, tasting warm, coppery liquid on her tongue. He muttered a curse letting her go instantly. She stumbled forward, quickly got her bearings and lunged for the rolling pin that lay next to Orana's pie, whirling on her assailant.
"Maker's sake lass did ye' have tae' bite mah'?" Gabriel's brogue cracked indignantly, as he cradled his wounded hand to his chest. She scanned the kitchen, Anders sat a top the counter laughing and eating Orana's pie filling as he watched the scene before him unravel. As quiet as bloody ninjas, the two had become!
"Andy, you know Orana will skin you alive and make mage earrings from your leather, if she sees you digging your grubby paws in her filling." Marian said dropping the rolling pin. The blonde mage simply dazzled her with a toothy grin, then offered her his spoon, heaped with the delicious apple, cinnamon filling. Marian huffed at him, but took the loaded spoon; a girl needed her strength. The apple, cinnamon combination had her mouth dancing with flavor. She closed her eyes in simple bliss, before slowly pulling the spoon out and over her still plumped, cherry lips. Being sure to suck the entire extraordinary filling off of the smooth metal, not wanting to waste a single bit. When she opened her eyes again both men were staring at her with darkened gazes. Turquoise eyes pinned her with white, hot desire. Gabriel's body had stiffened, the muscles in his neck visibly pulled as taut as the bowstring he carried on his back. The look he gave her made Marian's skin prickle and her hackles stand on end. Gabriel was a good friend, but the man's intensity scared the piss out of her. His dark predatory gaze made her nerves twitch and her magic crackle in ready defense.
Anders on the other hand, was simply watching her mouth knowingly. He'd been there, his thick member, the spoon once upon a time. They didn't last of course, though out of all her lovers he'd been the only one she'd legitimately wanted it to work with. And she had tried… THEY tried, but to Marian's dismay, his hands were too soft, his eyes not the color that haunted her dreams. He was blonde and thin, where he should have been brunette and built like a grand oak and his accent, though beautiful, wasn't the deep spine tingling brogue it should have been. She found herself constantly comparing him to a ghost. Anders wasn't a stupid man; eventually he'd confronted her about her "ghosts," in their bedchamber as she sat on the edge of their windowsill. Anders had begged her to love him. He believed she mourned Lloyd, had no clue her deep-set passion was for a rogue prince.
"Your thinking about him again aren't you, Mari?" Anders whispered ever so softly, leaning against the wall beside her. Instead of looking at him she'd simply continued to look out the window from her perch, watching the lovers kissing below her window. Furiously, he had grabbed her arms in a bruising grip, yanking her to her feet, frustration lining his face. "You know I'd fight for you. But how can I fight someone who isn't even there?" The question had been a desperate plea. "Mari look at me!" His anger evident in the way he shook her small frame, Justice breaching the surface. She'd done as he had asked though; dazed by his roughness "I've had the rest of you, now I want the best of you. I won't contin… I can't continue to accept half." His golden gaze had burned into…
"That's not fair Anders." Marian had started pitifully.
"Not Fair? I don't care if it's not fair Mari!"
"What do you want from me Anders? I'm with you what more can I possibly give you?" Her temper had started to flare, eyes brimming with unshed tears
"I want it all or nothing at all. I can't and won't chase a ghost, he'll win every time!" By his last words his temper had dissipated, unsteady hands falling from her to his sides.
They had stood in a strange, knowing silence for what seemed an eternity after that, neither really wanting to be the first to move, but both knowing that when one did it would mark the end. Anders had eventually moved first, turning from her, softly padding out of their bedchamber not another word spoken. Words hadn't been needed, they were over and both had known it.
Blinking once, twice, three times, Marian came back to her kitchen, leaving the memory behind, she straightened her robes and smoothed her curls once more. Placing her hands on her hips, she pinned Gabe with the best-annoyed look she could muster. "Did you have to scare me half to death? With everything else that's going on around here, I don't need you two prowling about my kitchen like some sort of desperados!" He scowled at her, then down at his still bleeding palm.
" Ah' didnae' want ye' tae' scream an' raise a fuss that was all. Did ye' know yer' yards full O' those Templar bastards?"
"They're in my yard, my attic and my best bed chambers." She said with disgust. Sighing she relented her anger. Moving to him, Marian grabbed his wounded hand. He growled at her a little. "Oh don't be such a big baby, Vael!" she joked a little uneasy at the sounds he made at her. He began to take his bear sized paw from her "Stop squirming and let me see." She shushed him, standing her ground and grabbing it back. Slowly she hovered her hand a breath away from his, allowing healing waves to swim between them, knitting the bite marks together to stop the bleeding, then making them disappear all together. "See, Not even a scar!" She twisted his hand this way and that, so both Anders and Gabriel could gaze upon her perfection.
"Ohhh, Hawke! Where did this magical prowess of yours come from?" Anders mused around mouthfuls of the pie filling he was still indulging in. When she looked towards him he winked at her. Another toothy grin gracing his lush mouth, now deliciously covered in pie filling, making his already kissable lips simply beckon her to taste him. She couldn't help but smile back, reining in her insatiable libido. Anders of course had been the one to train her in healing magic. Though she couldn't pull a man from the brink of death, she could keep him alive until Anders came.
"They probably have tents set up on my dear Roses roof." Marian said with a pout, working her way back to the original reason both men came to the Rose. She looked up into Gabriel's intense eyes. Biting her bottom lip nervously, she wondered whether she should inform them that another Vael had come to Kirkwall. She didn't know how Gabe would act, if he found out his only living family, would also be standing opposite him, if…When this inquiry came to war.
"What is it Mari? Ye've that look about ye' and yer' biting yer' lip raw, what plagues ye' lass?" He held her chin in his calloused hand, searching her face for the answer. She couldn't lie, he'd find out sooner or later anyways.
"Gabriel, Sebast—" She paused, not wanting it to seem like she was too familiar with the younger Vael.
Though she'd known Gabriel for years. He'd never made the connection between Marian Hawke and the nervous serving maid she'd been in Redcliffe, and she had no intention of him learning it now. "Your brother leads one of the Divine's regiments, he's their Knight-Commander." She dropped her eyes to the hand she'd just healed. He let go of her face, slipped his hand from hers, stepping away from her and to the window that looked out into her yard.
"So it's true then? It is Sebastian."
"Yes, I wouldn't have sent word to you if it wasn't. There is you know a family resemblance.
"Aye nah' doubt O' that. Even though Sebastian's a traitor, his face still marks him a Vael." He moved toward the closest chair, as if his legs could no longer hold him up, he slumped heavily down onto the polished wood. Anders moved toward the table also, taking one of the chairs, his face a passive mask. She watched both men looking them over closely, both looked so tired, so gaunt as if the weight of the world lay upon them alone. She wondered how they ever managed to stand up shouldering that kind of weight.
"You know Gabriel we're the traitors, at least that's what he believes. We turned our backs on the chantry and it's Circle, we started this." He shook his head wearily, his hollowed, sleepless eyes looked to her as if she could give him answers, but she had none he'd like.
"Sebastian would nae' say that if he'd been here in Kirkwall. If he'd witnessed the tyranny Meredith and her Templars partook in. He'd understand why drastic measures were needed. Mages an' people simply suspected O' being mages were slain in the streets, made into examples for Maker's sake!" He slammed his fist upon the kitchen table, making both Marian and Anders jump at the sudden outburst.
"I know that Gabe I was here, I fought the war beside you. We all did! But Sebastian wasn't here, he didn't see it, and he's so diluted by the chantry and it's preaching, he'd never believe it, even if he had witnessed it. The only loyalty your brother has now, is to that blasted Templar shield!"
"Then they've poisoned him against his own people, perhaps the lyrium has played with his judgment. Ah' can nae' believe—" She shook her head, stopping him in his attempt to explain his brother's reasoning.
"There is no lyrium running through his veins, I would have sensed it Gabe. Sebastian works on his own judgment. Two minutes in your brothers company and you'd see for yourself he's not the man you remember him as. Instead he's the worst kind of arrogant Templar officer. He doesn't care a fig for what happens to you, or me, or anyone that doesn't follow his chantry's old, outdated ways of thinking!" Her personal dislike for the Knight-Commander started to leak into her voice, though Gabriel hadn't noticed, too busy brooding in his own thoughts, but Anders was watching her, his golden eyes shining with curiosity. Marian would have to get her emotions back under control if she planned on keeping her secret from her friends.
She turned her gaze back to the stoic Vael. His face suddenly hardened, the indentations on either side of his mouth seemed to carve deeper. "Then we'll have tae' treat him with the same high regard will we nae'?" He leaned in closer to Marian lowering his voice, forcing Anders to lean in too if he wanted to be apart of the conspiracy. "At least he's under yer' roof, where he can be watched. While he's here Hawke, Ah' want ye' tae' watch him, listen tae' his conversations, read his messages if ye' can, note who comes in and out O' the Rose tae' see him. Yer' exactly the type of woman he's drawn tae', charm him into telling you his secrets, then report them back tae' me."
She stumbled back as if he had struck her. She hadn't expected Gabriel to do this. She certainly didn't want to, not even a little bit. Charm Sebastian Vael? No she wouldn't.
"I can't Gabriel." She stammered eyes wide. As she backed further away from him, Anders stood crossing the room to her side. He rested his arm across her shoulder blades, dragging her body under his arm and into his side, comforting her.
"It's ok Hawke, you don't have to. It was simply an idea, a silly one at that." Anders soothed; the stubble on his chin, rubbing her temple where it rested.
Gabriel however didn't relent. "Ye' can Marian and ye' will." He pushed firmly. "Ye'll' have chances tae' be around him that nae' one else will get. If we intend tae' keep Kirkwall free, we have tae' remain a step ahead O' this invasion. Sebastian is that chance. It's really nae' that much tae' ask. Think O' the men and woman who have an' will risk their lives for this call for freedom, a cause both ye' and Anders started."
He had no idea what he asked. Once already Sebastian had been close to remembering who she was. How long in his presence would it take, for him to finally figure out were she lay in his past, bringing her wobbly house of playing cards crashing down?
"You have no idea what you're asking of me Gabriel." She sighed miserably, unable to explain. "I can't-" Gabriel's eyes narrowed on her making her knees shake slightly.
"Ye' will lass!" The harsh edge in his voice, made both her and Anders stiffen, apparently she wasn't the only one unnerved by Gabriel. This was the other side of the Vael's, the ruthless, violent side that she'd heard whispered about among the men that frequented her tavern, but that she'd only ever once seen so very long ago. This was the side that kept the Vael's fortunes well off, a side that was now turned on her.
Her shoulders drooped; she rubbed the locket around her neck her daughter's beautiful face danced through her mind. For Nova's sake she didn't want to do as Gabriel asked, but she knew for Nova's sake too she'd have to.
"Fine Gabe." She sighed "But I'll send any news to you, it's too dangerous for you to be stalking around my tavern with so many Templar's underfoot.
"Ye' should know better than anyone Marian, that war is dangerous. Ah' could have scurried off, my children in toe with the others when word arrived that the Templar's were coming, but Ah' stayed. Ah' decided that Ah' would do all Ah' could tae' put down this Templar threat."
"I wish you had fled." Marian said wistfully. "You and I both know it's what Maria would have wanted." Gabe's face tightened with pain, as it often did when his pretty, young wife was brought up. Maria had been an apostate living free in Kirkwall; when they'd met, fell in love and had three lovely babes. They had lived charmed, for a time. But Kirkwall had been a harsh place for an apostate status didn't much matter. A tyrannical Templar struck down sweet Maria when she refused his advances. He accused her of being a blood mage, and then plunged his broad sword directly through her heart. Maria accused of blood magic? It had of course been a ridiculous notion to anyone who knew the pretty blonde. She'd faint dead away at the sight of someone else's blood, let alone her own. Ser Karras, the Templar who took the life of Maria and in turn the soul of Gabriel, was given a ceremony, as well as a metal of bravery in the gallows, the same day Gabriel held his wife's funeral. That had been the Kirkwall they were living in, what they fought against. Marian knew the stakes; now that Kirkwall was free she knew the battle had only just begun.
"Maria wished for many things Hawke." Was Gabriel's stark response.
"This is one wish you could give her Gabe." Marian urged gently. "Listen all I'm saying is we have to be careful, your brother, Sebastian, isn't a man to be taken lightly." His face relaxed and warmed
"Ye' take care too, sweet lass. Ah' know what Ah' am asking O' ye' will be hard, an' what it must cost ye'. Ye're the most kindhearted woman Ah' know an' here Ah' am trying tae' turn ye' into a low, sneaking spy." A rueful smile curled his lips.
She smiled a bleak, hollow smile in return. He had no idea what he asked, and Gods willing, he never would. As for being low and sneaking, she'd crossed that boundary long ago. "It won't be that hard for me Gabriel." She said softly "I'm wonderfully good at keeping secrets."