Cat climbed up the rope ladder, shivering in the early morning chill. Swimming early each morning was not her favorite activity, but she could find the good if she looked hard. She had to just keep reminding herself that this was to help her survive once they reached Kirkwall.
Every now and then, some of the crew would join her, though she assumed that was just a ploy to try to get their hands on a half naked, wet female, and she never gave them the chance. Arvid, one of the deck hands, was the only one who swam with her with any regularity, and the both of them were getting much better.
After stepping over the railing, she was surprised to find that no one was in sight, and her clothes and towel were also gone. She rolled her eyes, and started to head to the captain's cabin. Isabela had simply informed her to move her things in one day, after they had been at sea for three weeks. She had winked at Cat and said it was best to "remove temptation". It had taken longer than she wanted to admit to figure out what Isabela had meant.
Cat was pulled to a stop, a hand grabbing her right arm. She quickly spun to her left, bringing her left arm up to elbow her attacker. She looked around, as her arm was blocked and saw nothing that could help her. Making a quick decision, she bent forward putting her left hand on the deck, and kicked up with her feet. She grabbed around the attacker's neck and shifting her body weight, reached out and hit the man behind his knee.
She was just as surprised as he when his leg folded in, and he toppled to the ground, taking her along. She quickly sat atop him, putting her hands on his face with her thumbs above his eyes, ready to put them out if needed. Then she paused to assess the situation.
If there was one thing these raiders were teaching her, it was to strike quickly and not to stop until she had control. The second lesson, there was no such thing as fighting dirty.
Cat sat there tensed, as the remaining crew stepped out applauding. Isabela helped her stand, and shouted out, "All those who bet against Cat, pay up!" Cat could hear the victory cheers as well as the grumbling from those that had lost.
She stood upright and rolled her neck and shoulders, trying to calm the tenseness in her muscles. "Just how many of these tests am I going to get?" she asked, complaining.
"This wasn't a test darling," Isabela replied. "Now we're just keeping you sharp."
"Well, be a darling and wait until I'm dressed in the future, would you?" Cat asked with a roll of her eyes.
"But this is my favorite outfit of yours," Isabela smirked.
"I don't doubt that," Cat said as she walked off. She was really enjoying the friendship she was developing with the captain, and found herself wanting to channel her inner Isabela more often than not.
After cleaning up, Cat headed back to the deck. She had her hair in her hands, braiding it as she walked up the stairs, and stopped as she reached the top step.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Everyone was still, staring out into the water. Big Tom, the first mate, was standing by the captain and he waved her over. As she neared, she finished her braid, and flicked her hair over her shoulder, looking out beyond the ship. She turned in a small circle. There were ships all around them. They were surrounded.
"It's the Felicisima Armada, I think," he told her quietly. "That's the flags they're flying anyway. They must want something, otherwise they'd just attack."
"But aren't we part of the Armada?" she asked back, just as quietly.
"We've been working for them, aye" he responded, glancing at their captain who was unusually quiet. "Our last job didn't go exactly according to plan though."
Cat wracked her brain, but didn't know enough about Isabela's history to know exactly what was happening. So she stood there with the crew watching as a single ship came towards them. She supposed the others stayed back within cannon range in case anything went wrong.
"Velasco," Isabela murmured with a disgusted look on her face. She turned to look at Cat. "Stay behind Big Tom, and don't do anything to draw attention to yourself." Cat started to protest, but the look in the captain's eyes stopped her. "Velasco is not someone you want to tangle with just yet," she said. "Someday, but not yet," she added with a wink, causing Cat to smile as she side stepped behind Big Tom.
"I'll be boarding that ship," Isabela spoke up, so that her crew could all hear her. It said something about the atmosphere, that there were no objections but she wanted to put them at ease anyway. "Castillon obviously wants to speak about the last job before giving us any more. Be patient, and wait for my return, I'll be very upset if anyone were to get killed today."
Isabela looked around at her crew, seeing the nodding heads and looks of unease. They had never experienced something like this before, but she was sure she could handle it. Castillon was not one to throw tantrums, he used all of his tools to their limits. All she had to do was prove that they were still useful.
She stopped as she noticed the odd look on Cat's face, one of acceptance, and encouragement. Isabela wondered how she, out of everyone could know how bad this was going to be. But she smiled back, needing that vote of confidence right now.
Alistair panted, as they had killed all the darkspawn in the vicinity and had earned a slight rest. This battle was quickly becoming worse than even his imagination could conjure. Stories of war were always filled with heroes and villains, glory and sacrifice, and had not prepared him for what it truly was… death.
True, there were heroes, strong men and women who fought with all they had, gaining glory or sacrificing all in order to save their families, their country. But at this moment, all he could see was the death. Death of the potential as well as the death of the people.
He hefted his shield back up, and called for his companions. He checked with each of them, Wynne, Oghren, Leliana and Shale ensuring that they could continue. They had found and killed the darkspawn general that had been plaguing Denerim's marketplace, and now needed to meet back up with Duran and his group.
A loud screeching sounded nearby, making Alistair wish his hands were free so that he could cover his ears. He winced then straightened, as he saw the Archdemon fly overhead. He heard Leliana and Wynne gasp, and Oghren cheered as the dragon went careening down atop Fort Drakon. He noticed as the women had, the small figure that fell hundreds of feet from the dragon. Another death, full of glory and sacrifice.
"We have to make it worth it," he said to himself.
"Alistair?" Wynne asked, coming forward to put her hand on his arm, and checking to see if he was all right.
He looked at his friends, and said louder with determination, "Someone just gave everything to get that dragon down. Let's make sure their sacrifice was worth it!"
He saw his determination burning in their eyes, and his confidence soared. He nodded, and led them through the streets, onward toward Fort Drakon.
Duran opened his eyes slowly, as he wasn't sure what he would see. A bright light? His ancestors that went before him?
"Duran? Can you hear me?"
He recognized that voice, but that shouldn't be possible. That meant… it meant that Morrigan had been right. He opened his eyes fully, staring at Alistair.
"You… you're alive. You're okay?" At Alistair's words, several other faces appeared above him, looking relieved.
"We thought you had left us Warden," Leliana said with a smile, a tear running down her face. Wynne gave her shoulder a squeeze before kneeling next to him, and checking him for injuries.
"It seems even my best efforts were not successful," He teased, wanting to make his friends smile, needing to lighten the mood around him.
Zevran smirked, and understanding his friend, added "Or perhaps the void didn't want you and simply spat you back out." Duran chuckled as he sat up, and his companions joined in. Seeing his master sit up, Dog jumped in with no remorse, causing all sorts of cursing and laughter.
"My friends, I must ask something of you," Duran said once Dog had settled down and he had stood. They all looked to him, and he looked around to ensure they were relatively alone. "I'm not sure how I am still here," he began. "Riordan told us that the warden who gives the final blow would not survive."
They looked surprised, and a few looked to Alistair for confirmation and he nodded. "When this gets out, we will have a lot of wardens here asking questions."
Duran paused, and waited for his friends to look back at him. "That's why I must ask that this not get out," he said. "We are the only ones to know what truly happened, but I would ask that you support us in telling the world that Riordan slew the Archdemon."
"Where is Riordan?" Wynne asked. "We haven't seen him since we split up."
"He fell," Zevran answered solemnly. "bringing down the dragon."
"That was him?" Alistair gaped. "We saw someone fall from the dragon, I had no idea it was Riordan."
"Yes," Duran stated. "So, in truth he did bring down the Archdemon. I am asking that we stick to that. Can you all do that?"
He was met with nods and comments such as "of course Warden," and "whatever you need of me". He was humbled at the faith and friendship that they shared with each other. After nearly a year of traveling, he was saddened knowing their time together was nearly up and they would soon be parting.
"Thank you, my friends," he said. They all stood there together, and he thought of those that were missing. Having them there would be the only way to make that moment better. He waited a few minutes, giving all of them the time they needed, then he spoke. "It seems that our allies are starting the celebrations. Shall we join them?"
Cat noticed the heavily bearded man that was eyeing her from the ship that was moored to the Siren's Call. She debated just returning below decks, but that felt like running away. If she had learned anything over the past few months, it was that she was done running.
So she stood her ground, giving him a glare, and turning to speak to Arvid. They spoke of nothing of consequence, each knowing that the other was simply passing time while waiting for their captain.
After a time, Isabela emerged from the cabin looking annoyed but unharmed. Cat could feel everyone around her relax as they saw their captain. She watched as Isabela was stopped by Velasco. Isabela gave her a glance before responding, then turned to return to her ship.
Velasco tried to stop her, but Isabela side stepped his hand. She gave some degrading remarks, if Cat was reading her expression correctly. Velasco's face grew angry and he was held back by a fellow crew member as Isabela walked away.
As Isabela came aboard the Siren's Call, her crew instinctively stepped closer, Cat included. They waited and watched as the ships that surrounded them left, and no one spoke, waiting for their captain. Isabela simply watched until the ships were barely seen on the horizon, then let out a sigh and she released all the tension she had been holding.
"We have a new job, fellows," she said. Cat could tell she was trying to make it sound like a good thing, but it obviously was not.
"What's our heading, cap'n?" Big Tom asked.
"Orlais," Isabela replied. Big Tom's eyebrow winged up in surprise, and he turned to the crew.
"You heard the Cap'n! Unfurl the sails! Get moving you lazy good fer nothin's!"
Isabela smirked at her first mate, gratitude shinning in her eyes. She gestured for Cat to follow her, and they headed to their cabin.
"Oralis was never my destination, so it will be a short stop to pick something up for Castillon," she told Cat. "However, you are free to make your own decision, and if you want to stay there-"
Cat cut her off with a wave of her hand. "No need," she stated. "Orlais is no place for me. I'll be staying, for now… if that's okay," she added.
Isabela laughed. "You almost had me convinced you were a raider, until that last part," she said. "But you're coming along."
Cat grinned back. "I'm working on it," she said. "So, we just need to get something for Castillon?" She wasn't ready to share that she already knew what it was, and had in fact spent a long time wondering if she should convince Isabela of all the trouble stealing this particular item would cause. In the end, she thought of how different Kirkwall would be if the Qunari never landed there.
Isabela probably would never be in Kirkwall either, and that would be a loss for Hawke and her future companions. She finally decided that if she couldn't decide one way or the other, then the story should remain as it was. Erring on the side of caution, as it were.
"Yes," Isabela replied. "An ancient book, a relic of sorts."
"What would he want with a book? Is it valuable?" she asked.
"To the right people it is," Isabela replied opening the door and letting Cat walk through. She closed the door behind herself, and crossed her arms pinning Cat with a glare. "The crew doesn't need to know the particulars. We will go to Orlais, and we will get the book, and return immediately to the ship. With any luck, no one will even know who took it, and the less people who know, the better."
"All right," Cat replied.
"If I don't do this, we're all dead." Isabela voice was grave, looking at Cat like she expected her to run away.
"Then we'll do it," Cat answered. "I can't just let my friends die."
Isabela looked skeptical. "Friends or no, we'd understand if you want out."
Cat smirked, "I already told you, Isabela. I'm in."
Duran enjoyed a good party, and always had. The pomp and circumstance before the party however, he dreaded. The long boring speeches, the way the nobles patted each others' backs as if they had won the victory themselves, it bored him to tears. If there was one good thing about being a Grey Warden, it was that he no longer had to participate in the politics of a nation.
In fact, when he had been exiled and sent to the Deep Roads, he had been more upset about what his father thought of him, then about losing his title. Even now, though Bhelen had restored his family name upon him, the best part of returning to Orzammar had been when he had learned of his father's change of heart.
He stood on the balcony, overlooking the ruins of the city around him. It had been a victory, and the newly appointed Queen had given Rendon Howe's lands and titles to the Grey Wardens. He had been named the Warden Commander of Fereldan, and Alistair the Constable of the Grey.
None of these things made him happy however, as one by one, his companions had come to him and given their farewells. They all had important tasks to see to, and he couldn't begrudge them that, he just wasn't ready for them to go.
"Warden?" Duran turned at the voice, and his heart sank and Zevran stepped forward to stand next to him. He turned back around, not wanting to hear another goodbye.
Zevran didn't require an explanation, he felt the same way. He had never a had a friend such as Duran. Not even Taliesen and Rinna had understood him as Duran did.
"I swore you my allegiance, Warden, if you do not want me to go…"
Duran turned, and smirked at his friend. "No way you're going to put this on me, Zev."
"Ah, you see right through me as always, mi amico."
"So, what are your plans?"
Zevran took a moment to situate himself, leaning back on the railing with his arms resting on it at his sides. "The Crows will find me eventually, I think I shall find them first. There are a select few that I wish to speak with… personally."
Duran grinned. "Be sure to say hello for me," he said. "Though you may want to invest in some new armor, yours was fairly tattered if I recall."
Zevran laughed, "True, true! Those ogres pack quite the punch, yes?" He smiled as he thought of new armor. "Perhaps my new armor will help me blend into the shadows. I find the idea of frightening the Crows before I kill them quite delightful."
"Only you, Zev," Duran said with a shake of his head and a laugh. He stood straight and faced his friend. "It has been an honor, and my utmost privilege to have you with me Zevran."
Zevran froze. No one had ever given him such praise before, had ever seen him as anything but the son of a whore. Well, besides Catarina. He had always wondered how she had seen such good in him, and now the Warden had seen it as well. Perhaps… there was something good in him after all.
"The honor, my friend has been mine," he said with a smirk. "Did you hear that Leliana will be returning to the chantry?"
Duran wondered why the subject change, but nodded. "Yes, something about leading an expedition to the temple for Andraste's ashes?"
"Indeed," Zevran nodded. "We agreed to keep in touch, to call on each other if needed. I cannot say where my travels may take me, nor can you. But Leliana will remain with the chantry I have no doubt. I will keep her apprised of my movements, so that if you ever have need of me you can call on me and I will answer."
"Thank you my friend." Duran held out his arm, and Zevran grasped it.
"I did not think to ever have a friend," Zev mused. "Farewell, Warden. Until we meet again."