Dragon Age: King in Exile

Part Seventeen

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King Cailan has written Alistair into the succession and is ready to recognize him publicly. Loghain will do almost anything to keep that from happening. The darkspawn give him the perfect opportunity. Alistair/Cousland, featuring F!Tabris.

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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize from Dragon Age belongs to me.

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When Elissa peeked out the cracked doorway the morning after the wedding, her dog, laying in front of the doorway, raised his head and gazed at her mournfully.

"Don't give me that look, Kitty," she said. "It was my wedding night! You really didn't want to be in there with us."

Kitty gave a low whine. Elissa kneeled down to pet him. "It doesn't mean I love you any less," she cajoled him. "It just means you have Alistair to pester now as well as me."

By the glimmer in Kitty's eyes, Elissa began to wonder if maybe that had been the wrong thing to say.

She straightened at the sight of a servant in the corridor. "Excuse me," she said softly. "Could you draw a bath for us, please? And find out what time Eamon plans to serve breakfast?"

The servant nodded and quickly moved on.

Elissa returned to bed and her new husband, snuggling up to his naked form.

"Mmm," he said, reaching under her nightgown.

"They're bringing up bathwater in a minute," she told him. "You're going to have to dress. I don't want to share my husband with the servants."

"One day I'll take you on a real honeymoon," he said, nuzzling her hair. "And we won't have to get up at all."

"I'll hold you to that," she said, tightening her arms around him.

When the newlyweds came down to breakfast, there was a bit of gentle teasing. But Alistair was too happy to care. Why had he been so nervous about marriage? Marriage was fantastic! He dug into his breakfast with a gusto that only served to create more amusement for his companions. Squeezing his wife's hand under the table, Alistair ignored them and was content.

…

Within a couple days of the wedding Kallian was anxious to move on, to continue gathering the forces needed to defeat the darkspawn. As they were making preparations to leave, Eamon asked Alistair and Elissa to come see him.

"I recommend you continue to travel with the Warden," Eamon told Alistair and Elissa. "This way Loghain won't know where to find you. If you remain in one place, Alistair, it is anyone's guess who or what he might send after you."

Alistair nodded. They had planned to do so anyway. This was something he and Elissa felt they should see through.

"But please," Eamon said, "let me reiterate to you to be cautious of your own safety, and be thorough in your attempts to beget an heir."

Elissa and Alistair both blushed at this, but Eamon ignored it as he continued.

"I do have another request of you," the arl continued. "While you are on your journey, if you find yourselves near the battlefield at Ostagar, see if you can find Cailan's chest. It would have been in his tent, and hopefully still remains at the camp. He feared what could happen on the battlefield and would have kept a copy of his Writ of Succession close at hand. I do not possess a copy, and it would be to our benefit to have one."

Elissa nodded. "I believe Kallian intends to go to the Brecilian Forest next. Perhaps we can ask her to make the stop on our way back."

"Please do," Eamon said. "The succession is the most important thing right now. Ferelden needs stability. We are only one generation removed from the Orlesian occupation. While I encourage you to make overtures of friendship to all our neighboring nations, including Orlais, Ferelden needs the stability that a clear line of succession can provide. You must survive your adventure, and you must beget an heir. For Ferelden's sake."

"I understand," Alistair managed, despite his embarrassment.

"That is all I ask," Eamon said, ignoring the blushes on the newlyweds' faces. "Good luck on your journey."

…

After a long day of travel, Alistair and Elissa retired to their shared tent together. They'd only had a couple nights to honeymoon at Redcliffe castle before Kallian had demanded they move on and head towards getting their next treaty fulfilled.

Elissa undressed silently in the tent, anxiety mounting about the night ahead. Not that she didn't want to continue exploring the body of her new husband—he was gorgeous, tan and muscled and strong, and a whole new world of pleasure had opened up to her since their wedding night. But there was one thing that made her hesitate. She stiffened when Alistair pulled her close.

"My love?" he asked, worried at her sudden change in mood.

"How are we supposed to do this with all of them just outside the tent?" Elissa whispered frantically. "They know we're in here trying to… make a baby."

"We can be quiet, love," Alistair said, stroking her arm.

"But they'll still know! How are we supposed to do this with them out there knowing?"

Alistair was silent for a moment before answering. "Liss, they're going to assume we're doing that, no matter what they hear or don't hear. So when you think of it that way, it doesn't really matter what we do!"

Elissa huffed. "Was that supposed to reassure me?"

Alistair let out a chuckle. Something about their marriage had seemed to bolster his confidence. He didn't seem as unsure as he had a mere two days ago.

"Let me help you forget them," he said, his hand sliding down her bare back. "Please?"

Elissa gazed into his warm amber eyes, bit her lip, and nodded. And while they didn't quite manage to be silent, Alistair was successful in making her forget about any audience they might have outside the tent.

…

The next morning the party continued their march towards the Brecilian forest, making good time until a bedraggled woman came running down the path towards them.

"Please!" she cried. "We need help! They've attacked the wagon! Hurry!"

Alistair and Elissa, at the front of the group, started running.

Leliana, watching from the back, grabbed Kallian's arm. "Something isn't right," she hissed quickly.

Kallian met her eyes for a brief moment, then shook her head. "Bloody innocent fools!" she growled before jogging after them. "Alistair! Elissa, stop!"

Leliana and the others followed, readying their weapons. As she came around a bend in the road, she saw an overturned wagon, seemingly deserted. And then a cracking sound made her look up.

A giant tree trunk fell from above, dangerously close to landing atop her. She pulled her bow taut, looking quickly around. There! She saw someone moving in the shadows of the overturned wagon.

"Trap!" she cried, and fired.

At once, a dozen men and women appeared from hiding places all around and began to attack.

"The Grey Warden dies here!" said one as he sent a dagger spinning towards Kallian's head. With lightning quick reflexes, Kallian deflected it with her own dagger and went on the attack.

Leliana stayed near the downed tree, keeping an eye on the battlefield and firing arrow after arrow at those who threatened her friends. The attackers seemed focused on Kallian more than anyone. Whoever sent them either didn't care about Alistair or didn't want to risk spreading the knowledge of his identity. The latter seemed most likely, unless the Wardens had more enemies than Leliana knew.

When the road was strewn with the bodies of their enemies, they walked around and took stock. Leliana was checking pockets, looking to see if anyone had been foolish enough to write down their orders. Kallian was checking pockets too, though probably for gold rather than information.

"Hey," the Warden said, nudging one attacker with her boot. "This one's not quite dead."

Leliana came over to take a look. He was elven, tanned and blonde with tattooing on his face that didn't quite look Dalish. His leather armor was finely made, with a small sigil on it that sparked her memory.

"Should I finish him?" Sten rumbled from behind her.

Leliana held up her hand. "Stop." Her heart was racing. "This is no ordinary murderer, no band of thieves. I believe this man is an Antivan Crow."

"Really?" asked Elissa with interest, leaning in a bit closer. Alistair hovered worriedly behind her.

"What is that?" Kallian asked, impatient.

"The Antivan Crows are the most highly regarded guild of assassins in Thedas," Leliana explained. "He told them to kill the warden. To kill you." She tilted her head. "Don't you want to know why?"

Kallian snorted. "I can make a guess. But maybe he has information to trade for his life." She glanced from Sten to Wynne. "Tie him up. Heal his wounds enough that he won't die before we're done interrogating him."

Sten's knots may have been tighter than necessary, but neither he or Kallian cared about their assassin's comfort. Wynne, not one to do a healing job halfway, cast magic over him until he looked as hale and hearty as ever. Leliana was glad of it, and hoped he would see reason. She had always disliked taking a life.

As Wynne finished healing him, the assassin began to come around. "Mmm… I… oh." He blinked at the many faces staring down at him. "I rather thought I would wake up dead," he said with a heavy Antivan accent. "Or not wake up at all, as the case may be. But I see you haven't killed me yet."

"That could change at any moment," Kallian said, arms crossed as she glared down at him. "I have some questions."

"Ah!" he replied brightly. "So I am to be interrogated? Let me save you some time. My name is Zevran Arainai, Zev to my friends. I am a member of the Antivan Crows, brought here for the sole purpose of killing the Grey Warden here and any who accompany her. Which… I have failed at, sadly."

"Well that was easy," Elissa murmured.

This attracted Zevran's attention, and he turned his eyes to her, giving her a charming smile. She frowned, taking a step back. Alistair wrapped his hand around her arm protectively.

"Who sent you?" Kallian demanded bluntly.

"A rather taciturn man in the capitol. Tall, angry. Loghain was his name."

"Are you loyal to him?" she asked immediately.

Zevran shrugged the best he could despite his bindings. "I have no idea what his issues are with you. You threaten his power, I imagine?" He paused a moment, but didn't wait for an answer. "I was contracted to perform a service. I am not loyal to him."

"And now that you've failed?" Kallian snapped out, her dark eyes hard.

He tilted his head. "Well, that's between Loghain and the Crows. And then the Crows and myself."

"Is Loghain expecting you to report back to him?"

Zevran shook his head. "If I had succeeded, I would have returned home and the Crows would have informed your Loghain of the results. If I had failed I would be dead… or I should be, as far as the Crows are concerned. If they hear reports of my survival, they will ensure it."

"What was the price of my life?" Kallian asked with false lightness. "I'm curious."

"I don't know," he said. "I'm sure the Crows were paid quite handsomely."

"You don't get the money?" Elissa jumped in to ask. "If they're not paying you, why are you even a Crow?" She looked angry on his behalf, which was somewhat amusing considering he'd been trying to kill them a few minutes earlier.

"I suppose it's because I wasn't give much of a choice," Zevran said slowly. "The Crows bought me young. The Crows aren't so bad, though. They keep me well-supplied. Wine, women, men. Whatever I need. Though the whole severance package is garbage."

"And you're telling us this why?" Kallian demanded.

"Well, why not?" he said, amused. "She asked, and I was not paid for my silence."

Kallian shrugged and glanced at the others. "So we've got a chatty failed assassin. What should we do with him?"

"I have a proposal for you," the assassin spoke up from his place on the ground, before anyone else could answer. "If you do not mind…"

Kallian crossed her arms. "This should be good."

Ignoring her, Zevran explained. "Here's the thing. My life is forfeit. If you don't kill me, the Crows will. Even if you let me go, they'll catch up to me eventually. But I like living, and you are the type to give the Crows pause. So let me serve you instead."

"You have no loyalty to them?" Leliana spoke for the first time.

"I happen to be a very loyal person… up until I'm expected to die for failure. Somehow I don't see you treating your companions in such a way." His eyes focused on Kallian. Despite her small stature, it was obvious that everyone in the group deferred to her.

"And what's to stop you from trying to kill us later?" Alistair asked over his wife's shoulder.

"As I said, I like living. I might get a few of you," Zev said, looking around at them, "but I doubt I'll make it out alive."

Kallian, who had been watching him silently, nodded. "Untie him," she ordered, and turned to Sten. "And you… watch him."

Leliana relaxed a little, satisfied. She was glad to give him a second chance… even though she'd be watching him too.

…

Leliana kept an eye on Zevran as they traveled the rest of the day. He seemed an interesting character.

Kallian, more annoyed than angry about his earlier attempt at murder, seemed to enjoy bossing him around to see if he'd do what she said. He followed her every whim and order to the letter, smiling to himself as if the tasks provided him with some sort of private amusement.

His sharp eyes seemed to study each of the companions in turn as they walked. From what Leliana could see, he was trying to determine what kind of threat each posed to him. His eyes lingered a little longer on Morrigan and Alistair, and he spent a much longer time surveying Elissa's figure, or what he could see of it despite the armor.

Noticing her friend's discomfort at his blatant perusal, Leliana sidled up to the assassin.

"She's married," she said quietly, raising a brow at him.

"That need not be an obstacle," he said cheerfully.

"To a prince." Her lips were twitching now.

"Which one?" he asked casually, glancing at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Some are more dangerous than others."

"That one," she said, pointing at Alistair who was glaring at Zevran and fingering his sword.

"Ah," Zevran said, somehow both amused and disheartened. "How disappointing."

…