As we left the area around Lake Calenhad, I felt a vision coming on. Excusing myself, I wandered away from the group.
A woman, disheveled and panting, ran toward me. She burst in to tears when she stopped before me.
"Oh, thank the Maker! We need help! They attacked the wagon; please help us!" she begged, on the verge of collapsing.
I could tell from her words that I was not alone. No one in their right might would ask a child to help against bandits.
Someone made a noise of agreement.
"Follow me! I'll take you to them!" she turned and ran back the way she'd come.
Right to the side of an elf. An elf holding a dagger. And dressed in leathers.
He stepped forward, a cat-like smile on his face, and signaled something with a hand. Bandits appeared almost as if from thin air. A tree broke, crashing down above me. An arm came in to sight, pulling me out of the way. Alistair was with me. I couldn't see the others, yet, but I could sense two other people with us.
"The Grey Wardens die here!" the elf called out, freeing his other dagger.
I felt myself slowly coming back to my senses.
The blonde Warden stood just off to my left, toeing the dirt.
"Hello." I wiped away the blood from my nose, "Out for a stroll?"
"Oh, you know. Nothing more perfect than Ferelden during a Blight."
"Right."
"So…?" he glanced at me, curious.
I shook my head, "It wasn't anything too serious. I just need you to be with me whenever I leave camp or something, until it happens."
He pouted, his bottom lip sticking out, "Why can't you just tell me?
"Because it could change things. The only reason why I told you about the Circle, was because it was extremely important we go there first."
He didn't say anything for a while, thinking on what I'd said. Finally, he nodded.
"Alright. You'll let me know after it happens, though, right?" a grumble.
"Oh, it'll be obvious." I smiled at his slight frustration.
"Was there anything else?"
"No. Just the one. There's rarely a time where I have multiple, back to back." I shook myself out, gearing up for the incoming battle.
I had no idea when or where, but I knew this elf would be important. I hadn't seen his death, and the feeling I got when he'd first entered the picture…. We would need him.
I had to keep him alive.
This wasn't going to be easy.
It turned out, we didn't have to wait long; the very next day, Alistair and I had taken Leliana and Wynne out for a simple hunting/scouting run.
The elf raised his daggers, a wicked gleam in his eyes, and launched himself at us. It was hard, dodging the arrows and trying to keep an eye on my companions. Alistair fought against five or six warriors, Wynne holding her own in the face of several archers.
The elf darted toward me, seeming to disappear once or twice. A grin tugged at my lips. A worthy adversary, for once? Finally. Bring it on.
I waited, watching his every move best I could. He was fast; almost quicker than my eyes could track.
He stopped before me, his face close to mine, "'Tis a shame you are a but a child. I would like to have seen the woman you could become."
"I'm not dying today, ser." I smiled, "This I know."
"Oh, you know, do you?" his answering smirk was condescending, "Let us test your knowledge then, child."
I took a step back, hopping from foot to foot, "Are you sure you want to fight me, Ser? I am but a child, after all."
He shrugged, his eyes never leaving me, "It makes no difference to me. You will die eventually."
Rolling his shoulders, he took a stab at me. Quite literally. My eyes drifted heavenward. Did he really think me so pathetic?
Pulling free my own blades, I struck out like a snake. Nicked his arm. His face lit up even as his eyes narrowed. Now he understood; I wasn't your average young girl. Even those trained by their parents couldn't hope to have my reflexes. Only those who learned from the greatest of professionals could stand against me. Luckily, he fell in to the latter category. A rival worth my time!
We danced, the sound of metal ringing in the air. Without realizing it, the battle around us had ended. Leliana had stopped Alistair from intervening. Insisted everyone leave us to our duel, saying it was nice to test your skills once in a while against those who matched you.
I wholeheartedly agreed.
After only managing to scrape and bruise each other, I swung my leg out. He easily dodged.
"Hah! It seems you are not as good as you led me to believe! 'Tis a pity!" he crowed, moving in for the kill.
I let him slip past my defenses, giving him false hope. He didn't even question it, instead stabbing toward me again.
I brought my arms together, swinging them up and out, disarming the arrogant elf. He looked at me in surprise, relief showing for just a moment. I leaned in, hitting him over the head with the hilt of my dagger. He collapsed like a sack of potatoes.
"There." I nodded to myself, "Now that that's over with, we can-"
Alistair moved to my side silently, drawing his sword. He lifted it above his head and brought it down.
I jumped in front of its swing.
Alistair paled, unable to stop the momentum, and threw his shield over me. The blow still hurt even with the shield, knocking me off my feet. Unscathed.
"What…" he fell speechless.
Since I was already on the ground, I shifted to my knees and poked the blonde elf's cheek. His eyes fluttered open slowly, suspicion filling them fleetingly.
"Ah. I rather thought I would wake up dead or not wake up at all, as the case may be. But I see you haven't killed me yet."
"Who sent you?"
"Ah, so I am to be interrogated. Let me save you some time. My name is Zevran, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows brought here for the sole purpose of slaying any surviving Grey Wardens, which I have failed at. Sadly."
"What are the Antivan Crows?"
Leliana piped up, "I can tell you that. They are an order of assassins out of Antiva. Very powerful, and renowned for always getting the job done, so to speak. Someone went to great expense to hire this man."
"Quite right," he leered at her for a moment, turning his attention back to me, "I'm surprised you haven't heard much of the Crows out here. Back where I come from, we're rather infamous."
"Not for being good assassins, I see." I teased.
He pouted dramatically, "Oh, fine. Is that what you Fereldan's do? Mock your prisoners? Such cruelty."
I tapped my chin thoughtfully, pretending I hadn't heard him, "Who hired you to kill us?"
"A rather taciturn fellow in the capitol. Loghain, I think his name was. Yes, that's it."
Alistair shifted behind me. I could feel the rage coming off him in waves. The others stood silently by.
"When were you to see him next?"
"I wasn't. If I had succeeded, I would have returned home, and the Crows would have informed your Loghain of the results. If he didn't already know. If I had failed, I would be dead, or I should be at least as far as the Crows are concerned. No need to see Loghain, then."
"IF you had failed?" the corner of my lips tugged up.
"What can I say, huh? I'm an eternal optimist. Although, the chances of succeeding at this point seem a bit slim, don't they?" he chuckled.
"They do indeed." We shared a laugh. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Judging me.
"I don't suppose they would find that funny, would they?" he asked.
I shrugged, keeping my attention on him, "How much were you paid?"
"I wasn't paid anything. The Crows, however, were paid quite handsomely. Or so I understand. Which does make me about as poor as a Chantry mouse, come to think of it. Being an Antivan Crow isn't for the ambitious, to be perfectly honest." He mused aloud.
"Then why are you one?"
"Well, aside from a distinct lack of ambition, I suppose it's because I wasn't given much of a choice. The Crows bought me young. I was a bargain, too, or so I'm led to believe. But don't let my sad story influence you. The Crows aren't so bad. They keep one well supplied: Wine, women, men. Whatever you happen to fancy. Though the whole severance package is garbage, let me tell you. If you were considering joining, I'd really think twice about it."
I was starting to like this guy. He was growing on me with each passing second, "Thanks. I'll take that under advisement."
"You seem like a bright girl. I'm sure you've other options."
"Anyway, that's all I wanted to know."
"Then, unless you're quite stuck on cutting my throat or something equally as gruesome, perhaps you'd care to hear a proposal."
"Lay it on me."
"Well, here's the thing; I failed to kill you, so my life is forfeit, that's how it works. If you don't kill me, the Crows will. Thing is, I like living, and you obviously are the sort to give the Crows pause. So, let me serve you instead."
"And what's to stop you from finishing the job later?" I questioned quietly.
"To be completely honest, I was never given much of a choice regarding joining the Crows." He reiterated, "They bought me on the slave market when I was a child. I think I paid my worth back to them, plus tenfold. The only way out, however, is to sign up with someone they can't touch. Even if I did kill you now, they might just kill me on principal for failing the first time. Honestly, I'd rather take my chances with you."
"Can I expect the same amount of loyalty from you?"
"I happen to be a very loyal person. Up until the point where someone expects me to die for failing. That's not a fault, really, is it? I mean, unless you're the sort who would do the same thing. In which case I… don't come very well recommended, I suppose." He finished with another chuckle.
"What would you want in return?"
"Well… let's see. Being allowed to live would be nice, and would make me marginally more useful to you. And somewhere down the line if you should decide that you no longer have need of me, then I go on my way. Until then I am yours. Is that fair?"
"Why would we want your service?"
"Why? Because I am skilled at many things, from fighting to stealth and picking locks."
Bingo. Something clicked in my head. We would need his skills at one point or another. He, Leliana, and I would be unstoppable with our rogue powers combined! I barely stopped myself from giggling.
"I could also warn you should the Antivan Crows attempt something more… sophisticated… now that my attempts have failed. I could also stand around and look pretty, if you prefer. Distract your enemies by warming their beds? No?"
I raised an eyebrow. I was nine. I didn't need to hear that. "I'm nine. I didn't need to hear that."
His eyes widened, "I did not mean to offend. I was merely offering suggestions for how I might be of use."
An awkward moment of silence hung in the air. I let it continue until he broke it.
"So what shall it be? I'll even shine armor. You won't find a better deal, I promise."
Taking my time, I looked the elf over. He would certainly be an asset, and there was really nothing to lose by gaining him as an ally. Especially if what the vision had made me feel was real.
"What? You're not considering taking the assassin with us now, are you?" Alistair shouted in answer, "Does that really seem like a good idea?"
"Trust me. I know what I'm doing. Besides, having our own assassin might come in handy. We don't know what other dangers we might face."
Silence.
Very, very tense silence.
"I see your point. Still, if there was a sign we were desperate, I think it just knocked on the door and said 'hello.'" Then a light went on in his head, and he gave me a 'we'll talk later about this' look.
The red headed bard spoke softly, "Welcome, Zevran. Having an Antivan Crow join us sounds like a fine plan."
His grin turned saucy, "Oh? You're a companion to be, then? I wasn't aware such loveliness existed amongst adventurers, surely."
"Or maybe not." Her voice sour, she deliberately looked away from him.
Wynne stayed silent, likely wondering what was happening.
I stood, brushing myself off and offered him a hand, "I accept you."
As I helped him to his feet, he spoke with conviction, "I hereby pledge my loyalty to you until such a time as you choose to release me from it. I am your man, without reservation. This, I swear." He bowed his head slightly.
When his eyes met mine, we stared at each other for a long while.
I nodded, putting my back to everyone, "Well, now that you're finally up, we can move on. I mean, how lazy can you be, making us wait for you to get up, Zev?"
...
That night, after we had set camp, I was approached by the assassin.
"A beautiful night, is it not?"
"It is." I sighed softly.
"I wonder; would you indulge my curiosity for a moment?" he cut right to the chase.
"Of course."
"How long were you trained?" his eyes scrutinized me, "What are your specialties?"
I smiled slightly, "You hold nothing back, do you? Well, you wouldn't believe me, even if I told you exactly how long. So, I'll just say that it was a long while. As for my specialties, I am quite proficient at almost every skill associated with being a rogue. Picking locks, stealth. Making, setting, and disarming most traps. Making poisons and health poultices. Knowing the fourteen directions."
"Fourteen?"
"North, south, east, west, northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast, up, down, left, right, forward, and backward." I rattled off.
He laughed heartily, clapping, "Very good. But-"
"But there's also the ones underground, so technically, there's twenty-eight." I rolled my eyes, "I hated being called out on it, and I have yet to outgrow that."
"Many still suffer from it." He touched his chest, "I, however, am free of that particular flaw."
"Oh, how lucky you are." I glared playfully.
"But in all seriousness, I would still like to know."
"You first." I sighed again, this time in exasperation. I hadn't thought he'd let it go, but a small fragment of hope had died with his words.
"As I said earlier, I was bought as a slave. I was seven, at the time. I suppose that was when the training officially started." He told the tale with grandeur, sweeping his arms out, "I was raised in a brothel, my mother having worked there to pay off a debt. Unfortunately for her, she died shortly after giving birth to me. When I was a small boy, my cunning and skill in stealing brought me to the attention of the Crows. They paid off the remainder of the debt so as to acquire me. I am compradi. Purchased. From then on, I was taught the secrets of the Antivan Crows."
"And chosen to kill us." I murmured.
"No." I glanced up at him in surprise, "I bid for the chance, as did several of my fellow Crows."
"Interesting. It's amazing how one decision can affect so many things."
"Indeed."
He waited patiently in silence.
"You won't believe me."
"Is it really so wild? So impossible?"
I moved away farther away from camp, to make it harder for anyone to eavesdrop, "Yes."
He gestured for me to continue.
Sitting down on a bare patch of ground, I patted the spot next to me, "Where to begin? Tell me, what do you believe?"
"Religion?" a raised brow.
"Yes and no. Let me rephrase it; do you believe in reincarnation?" I hesitated after, wondering if Thedas even had such beliefs.
"Being reborn as another person?"
"Being reborn, in general. Whether as a plant, animal, or another person." I almost slipped and said human.
He mulled it over, "It would be nice, I suppose, thinking your loved ones will come back to you after death. Only, in a form you are not used to. Why?"
"This is not my first life."
He blinked at me several times, "You say it so matter-of-factly."
"Because it is a fact."
"Suppose I believe you, what does this have to do with- Oh." Zevran looked away, struggling internally.
"I had been found, lifetime after lifetime, by the same people. The same organization." I took a steadying breath, unsure of what he was thinking, "Each time, they added more to my repertoire, molding me. I had potential, learned everything they threw at me, and quickly rose through the ranks every life I spent with them."
"They let you join the Grey Wardens?"
"No. I managed to evade them…" I closed my eyes, counting, "two lifetimes ago. Not including this one. I have been a free agent, since. This was my first time as a human, and I had hoped to be a 'normal' girl. But I crossed paths with the Red Jenny group, while in Ferelden, and unofficially joined them. I doubt anyone officially joins a nonexistent group dedicated to helping the little people, though."
"Red Jenny? They are well-known by the Crows. Do you still aid them?"
"I, uh, haven't had the chance, since joining the Wardens."
He nodded to himself, deep in thought.
I picked at the grass around me, systematically shredding blade after blade.
"There have been many lives?"
"Yes."
"Dozens?"
I bit my lip, whispering, "Hundreds."
He stilled, staring at me. Through me, "This is a lot to take in, you understand."
"Of course."
"Do the others we travel with know?"
"No."
"Why tell me?"
I searched his expression, "Because… I had a feeling you would, at the very least, try to understand."
"If not believe." He finished my thought.
Nodding, I stayed silent.
"Well." He slapped his knees, rising to stand, "We should get back to the others before they convince themselves I've finished the job and killed you, after all. Shall we?"
I accepted his offered hand, letting him pull me to my feet, "We wouldn't want that, would we?"
He chuckled, "No, we wouldn't. Especially after you went through all the trouble of telling me such a lengthy secret. You'd have to find someone else to confide in, and none could hope to hold a candle to my perfection."
We were in good spirits when we arrived back at camp, parting ways soon after.
Alistair looked on with an unreadable expression, but didn't approach me. It seemed our talk would wait until another day.