I do not own anything Dragon Age. Rights belong to BioWare.
I waved a hand to the plush chair across from me. "Join me, won't you? It has been a long time since I've met someone so intriguing." He sunk into the seat handing his staff to the elven man who took up position against the wall behind the seated magister.
Tipping my head back I drain the rest of the dark red juice in my cup before waving it in front of Zevran's face. "Make sure to bring one for our guest." I waved him away like ordering him around was the most natural thing in the world. He scurried off with a mumbled "Yes Mistress". He was the image of dutiful.
"Well met." My prey's voice was smooth as silk.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company surah?" I ask.
"We had such an interesting introduction I just had to speak with you one on one." He almost purred. Is he trying to charm me? The idea made my skin crawl. "Interesting is one way to describe it." I agreed. "Was there anything particular on your mind?"
I braced myself for the oncoming long lost niece questions. Dorian, Halward and I had spent several days working up my faux back story. It ran very close to my own history. Halward's little sister ran away from home to marry some Orlesian lordling hiding the affair from their family. I was raised in his estate never knowing where I came from. I had been traveling though Ferelden when the Blight began and lost every one to it.
"Fascinating. But, how did you discover your familial ties to the Pavus house?" he asked. He was almost sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for my answer. Zevran finally returned. He pushed a little cart in front of him. "Forgive me Mistress I did not know what kinds of refreshments your companion enjoyed so I brought a variety to offer." I almost didn't recognize his voice in that meek, quiet tone.
"Very well." I looked at Denarius expectantly. Zevran and I could poison him here and now and no one would be the wiser. I want him to know it was me though, and I want him to know why.
"Your Antivan is well trained." The comment from him genuinely sounds impressed. I smile at him. "Uncle Walward has friends in Kirkwall it seems. I mentioned my mother a few times in public and apparently, she has a unique enough name that when word reached him, he wrote me and the rest is history."
Zevran had finished mixing our drinks and served mine first bowing low. I gritted my resolve for what came next. I knew flattering this man wouldn't impress him enough to want me to visit him. Maker please don't let Zevran hold this against me too long. As my assassin friend moved closer to Denarius, he "tripped" spilling the intended refreshment all over the man.
"Clumsy fool!" I snarled, feigning anger. I reached out to grab Zevran by the hair to chastise him when Denarius' hand snaked out and backhanded Zevran across the face. The Crow fell backwards, knocking over the cart. He was the epitome of terrified submission begging forgiveness and blubbering for his mistress to save him from the stranger's wrath. The pretend anger turned into real fury that ran cold down my spine. The plan has changed. Using the lightning fast reflexes that helped me fight my way to where I was, I charged Denarius blades drawn. His odd body guard was almost as quick, the tip of his broad sword coming to my throat seconds after I had straddled his master's lap and pressed my blade into his throat.
I ignored him as if he wasn't even there. "You dare touch what belongs to me without my permission?" I snarled at the man before me. Fear flashed in his eyes for just a moment before he began to laugh.
"It looks like you are at a stale mate love." He crooned looking at his slave. "If I wanted you dead you would be bleeding out right now instead of facing my warning. Besides your warrior is not as fast as you think. Look again." I retorted.
The whole while I didn't look away from his face. His eyes traveled down the body of the tall lanky elf. Surprise and horror rounded his blood shot eyes. I had managed to bring my second blade between the quiet slave's legs. The hook at the end would do severe damage to the upper inner thigh. I had done it once or twice before to men who couldn't take no for an answer. He would have plenty enough time to kill me before he bled out true but I would have taken them both with me.
The next part is Fenris' point of view
I had never seen anyone move so quickly. If I hadn't already been looking at the captivating woman, I don't think I would have seen how smoothly she stood to pull the daggers from her waist and lunge at Denarius. The fury in her voice was undeniable.
Denarius' staff clattered to the floor as I moved forward to stop her. She didn't look at me, even after my swords point pressed against her neck. She thinks I am not a threat to her? I questioned myself.
"Look again." Was all I heard her say to him. My master's gaze swept down me his eyes widening in surprise. Glancing down I saw her second blade between my legs.
Those deadly hooks on the end of her blades could easily cut through my breeches. Fool. I would still have enough time to cut her before I died. It's not like I cared if I lived or died especially if I died knowing Denarius was dying as well. Would she really risk it?
Denarius laughs again raising his hands in submission and waving me back. I withdrew with a nod of my head, picking up his staff before returning to my place against the wall behind him.
She remained where she was in absolute defiance. "I expect an apology first. You didn't have the right." He chuckled at her again. "You're right. My apologies dear lady."
Almost immediately she stood, quickly tucked her weapons away and straightened her clothes. "You've made this party memorable Magister. I look forward to when next we meet." She bowed slightly to him and walked up to her servant who was still sniveling on the floor. How pathetic. At least Denarius allowed me to train as a man and not a plaything. Then again it didn't look like she needs anyone to defend her. I could feel the distain on my face as I watched her reach a hand down, grab hold of his chin and lift his face to look at her.
"You embarrass me like that ever again it will be the whipping post for you." She told him. There was no anger in her voice. Pure adoration shown in the other man's eyes as he mumbled "Yes Mistress." She helped him stand and right his clothes and hair. His lip was split and bleeding from the force master used.
I could not see his expression since he was facing away but he had brought his hands in front of him finger tips together as he watched her. The woman was a mystery. She was fierce and wild yet, at the same time soft and graceful. I could understand why Denarius was captivated with her. He had spent all evening trying to gather information about her. I had never before seen him this interested in another person.
After she was finished looking over her servant she looked over at Denarius. "He's quite the asset to you," her gaze moved from his to mine, "It is not often I come across someone almost as fast as me." What kind of woman makes direct eye contact with a slave?
His answering laugh was deep.
It was unsettling.
Hawke
I walked away with Zevran at my heels. I was done with this party, these people. I know a few people saw me threaten that disgusting man. Let me disappearing from the party after let them have the gossip they all seem to covet.
I stormed out the back of the main house. Once I thought we were out of ear shot I asked Zevran if he was alright. He did not answer me until after we entered the guest house. Halward and Dorian had warded the entire building to ensure our privacy. Once we were tucked safely inside and the door was barred Zevran spoke.
"That son of a bitch messed up my pretty face!" He was trying to lighten the mood with his joke. I knew it but it didn't stop the tears from falling. I turned to him and threw my arms around him. "I am so sorry Zevran! I didn't think he would do something like that in public."
He hesitated for a moment and returned my embrace. "I knew he would Hawke. It's ok. I've been through worse." The lightest kiss pressed against my forehead and I remembered he was still bleeding. "Let's go get you some ice."
A couple hours later Zevran and I sat in one of the lounging spaces laughing. He had convinced me to indulge a bit and I had enough wine to feel light headed and giggly. Zevran stood on a table a hand before him like he held a sword in his hand. "I'm telling you, the first time she ever tried that move she stabbed herself!"
He was telling me how he had met Isabella. I knew all about her horrid mother and abusive husband. What I did not know was she had learned how to dual wield her daggers from Zevran. "I did too!" we both howled again. "I had never seen Mother so furious. 'I just mended those trousers for you! Not only have you torn them again but now they are stained.' Asking me if I was ok was the last thing on her mind." I did my best impression of mother's voice. It felt good to laugh about a good memory of her. It had been a long time since I looked past the sorrow her loss had left in me.
"You were phenomenal by the way." He had drunk deep from his goblet and now his speech started to slur. 'I have never seen someone move that fast. I wouldn't have been surprised if Denarius had wet himself."
"That sentinel of his was quick too." I replied, reaching up to feel the tiny cut that was left on my throat from my confrontation earlier.
"Yes, your display was the absolute talk of the rest of the party." An amused voice spoke from the door way. "Varric! Join us!" I reached to my left and poured him a glass from the bottle we had brought up from the cellar. "Tell us, what did you learn from your gossip mongering?"
"Daddy Pavus is absolutely furious. He can't quite grasp that something had to have changed the plan and he will definitely be down here in the morning to tell you all about it. Little Pavus is jealous that he wasn't close enough to have watched it all unfold." He laughed as he stripped Bianca from his back and propped her up against the chair he sat in.
"Over all though you impressed the Imperial court. Your display of power and charm convinced everyone that you truly are descended from Tevinter nobility." He pulled a small stack of calling cards out of a pocket. "Pavus will want to look at these since we can pretty much kiss our way into Denarius' place good bye. Looks like we will have to come up with another way in." He stroked his chin as he thought.
I sobered instantly as I remembered a detail that I really wanted to forget. "I will have an invitation with a week." My stomach soured.
"How do you figure?" there was a slight edge of annoyance to Varric's voice. He thought I blew it.
"Because when I was …. Face to face with him…." I knew I was stammering. Embarrassment had never run so hot through my body before. My face felt like it was on fire. "He um… Well, he uh… I could feel his… I could tell he was enjoying himself!" the only full sentence came out high pitched and rushed. I hid my face in my hands trying desperately to hide from their incredulous stares. I peeked out from between my fingers. Varric's mouth hung open once he understood what I was trying to say.
Zevran on the other hand put two and two together almost immediately. He laughed so hard he had to wipe tears from his eyes. "If I had had such an ethereal beauty in my lap, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it myself." He laughed harder and made a vulgar gesture. I threw a pillow at him.