Chapter 44

With the element of surprise on the group's side, the bounty hunters didn't stand a chance. The swift and brutal combat lasted less than five minutes. Zevran wiped his blades and snorted in disgust as he sheathed them. "This is what they send at us? It is an insult."
Sten gave a short jerk of his head in agreement. "Indeed, hardly worth drawing steel from leather." He dropped the massive sword into the thick leather scabbard on his back, his muscles bunching impressively. Emma remembered they still needed to retrieve Asala for the big Qunari and luckily they were in the right place to talk to Faryn who'd scavenged the items after the fateful battle.

She moved to Aedan. "Have you spoken to Sten about his sword yet?"
"Yeah. Damn it, I keep meaning to head back to Lake Calenhad and check out the area, see if we can find it, or at least a clue as to its whereabouts."
Emma grinned. "Well, it just so happens that the man who found the item is here. He's a merchant named Faryn and he can give us a lead to the sword's location." Aedan chuckled and kissed Emma soundly. "You really are a little wonder." He turned to the others. "Okay, let's move on."

The resulting conversation with Faryn had Emma in stitches. Sten growled and intimidated as only a seven-foot Qunari could, and the guy didn't even have horns. She was pretty sure that Faryn would have passed out if that had been the case. All eyes turned towards Emma when they found out that Dwyn, the dwarf in Redcliffe, had the sword. She gave a sheepish cough and smiled. "Sorry, there was so much going on, it slipped my mind."
"It matters not. I am one step closer to retrieving my sword."

Afterwards, they browsed the store and Sten became as close to excited as possible for a Qunari when he spotted a medium-sized, round tin. He quickly picked it up and carefully removed the lid. Emma leaned over to see what had enraptured the big man. "This is vitaar." Emma eyed the thick red substance and took a cautious step back, remembering that the codex suggested vitaar could be poisonous to other races.
Sten turned his head to watch her. "You know of this?"
She gave a nod. "I've heard about it. Is it true that it contains poison?"
"Yes, it can cause damage to other races who touch it. Useful in a fight, wouldn't you agree?"
She chuckled. "Oh, without a doubt. I suppose it would be a good idea to let the others know, just to be safe."
"As you say."
At the end of the cart came a groan. She turned to find Aedan holding up a large pair of leather trousers. "These are so soft. Why don't they have them in my size?" Emma recognised the trousers as those belonging to the Qunari; at least those in the second Dragon Age game. A vision of Aedan in similar trousers and nothing else had her mouth watering with desire.

"I am taking these," Sten told the merchant, who looked pasty with fear.
"Er... Sten, I think you might need to pay for those."
He turned flat eyes toward Emma. "No! He stole them. I have retrieved them."
Before she could say anything more, Faryn spoke up. "Yes, yes. You keep them. No need for payment, just please leave." The man sounded close to tears as he flapped his hands at them, shooing them away from his stall.

"I don't think he liked us," Zevran said with a snigger, which was lost in a loud shriek. Everyone turned to see Sten removing his armour. "Whoa! I think you need to find somewhere more private before you start getting changed," Emma said, while mentally kicking herself for stopping him. She loved Aedan with all her heart, but she would most definitely have appreciated seeing the Qunari naked.
"Spoilsport," Zevran whispered from her right.
Morrigan stood on her left, a small smile playing at her lips. "Agreed. That could have been most entertaining."
It seemed rather than having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, Emma had the latter on both.

Sten stopped undressing and turned to her, his chest plate in one hand. "I do not understand your concern." Emma shifted and desperately looked around for somewhere less public. "I think you might shock a few people if you just strip down in front of everyone."
Zevran grinned and added, "I think you might also get a few proposals."
Sten's brow lifted. "What kind of proposals?"
Emma didn't know whether to laugh or groan. Thankfully Morrigan answered Sten. "I believe he means you may receive offers for sex."
The big Qunari looked around speculatively before returning his attention to the group. "I do not think that would be wise. They are quite... small people."
Emma couldn't hold it back any longer and started laughing. She beckoned to Sten and walked over to a merchant's stall which had a cloth hanging over the back. She figured he could change behind there without causing too much of a stir. "This should work."
Sten shrugged but went willingly.

Emma rejoined the group, still chuckling to herself when numerous sounds of shock and disbelief interrupted the general hubbub of the market. Emma looked over her shoulder. "Oh for crying out loud!" The shadow of Sten's body was on full display for everyone as he stripped down. She hadn't considered the sun's position, but it was setting behind the merchant's stall and giving everyone quite the show.

"Oh my."
"Is that his...?"
"I'm surprised they don't smile more often if they're all so blessed."
"Dear Maker, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if they invaded Ferelden?"

Emma walked out to the front of the crowd, turning her back on the magnificent display and stood in front of the counter with her arms spread. "All right, folks, move along now. Nothing to see here."
A chunky dwarven woman with deep red hair stepped forward in an aggressive manner. "Sod off, lass. You can't say that when the big fella is flaunting it all. Stop ruining the fun."
Emma felt her temper slip a little. "Look, lady, this isn't a bloody show, and he's not there for you all to gawk at. Now bugger off and give him some privacy."
A few grumbled and skulked off, but the redhead wasn't ready to leave and took another step towards Emma, pulling a large, heavy mace off her back in the same instance. Before a fight could erupt, Emma's fellow companions moved to her side. "I'd think twice before you do anything rash." Aedan's deep calm voice held just enough sharpness to give the woman pause.
She eyed the group and shrugged. "Aye, I suppose it's good that he's got such decent friends to stand up for him." She laughed and put out her hand to Emma. "No hard feelings, lass?"
Emma grinned and shook her hand, wincing at the strong clasp. "None at all."
The woman put her mace away and looked wistfully past Emma's shoulder. "Bloody shame though, he's got a mighty fine body."
Emma chuckled, unable to deny the statement. "Well, nothing's stopping you from talking to him once he's finished."
A wicked gleam lit the woman's eyes. "Aye, you're right, lass. I think I'll check out the goods at the next stall. Perhaps you could point him in my direction."
Emma readily agreed, figuring Sten could do with some stress relief and a bit of fun after everything he'd endured since arriving in Ferelden.

Emma took a step forward and turned to face her friends, who all stood together. She felt a little emotional at their immediate support, and yes, she also felt rather cool. Honestly, who wouldn't? She stood, with a group of the most experienced combatants in Ferelden, who also happened to be some of the sexiest people too. She grinned at them. "You guys are the best!"
They all looked a little startled by her exclamation. "We are?" Zevran asked.
"Yes, most definitely."
"Well, I'm never one to refuse a compliment, but I'm curious what brought this on?"
She looked at them all, her smile unwavering. "You all had my back."
"But of course, that is what we do, yes?" Zevran answered, still looking a little confused.
Aedan came to her rescue, stepping forward and pulling her close. "I don't think Emma has had much experience with people standing up for her."
Leliana moved in quickly. "We are friends, and this is what friends do, no?"
Emma chuckled and blinked back the sting of tears as the bard hugged her tightly, which led to hugs from everyone, except Morrigan who settled with a pat on the shoulder.

Just as they were all disentangling from each other, Sten stepped out, unaware of the stir he'd caused by getting changed. Zevran let out a low whistle and Morrigan looked a little flushed at the sight of the fully painted and half-naked Qunari. Emma had to admit he looked breathtaking. She remembered the red-headed dwarf and discreetly pointed her out to Sten. "I am unsure if this will work due to the difference in our sizes."
"Oh, she's well aware of your size and seems rather excited about it," Zevran piped up with a smirk.
Sten appeared to be nonplussed by the assassin's comment and decided to ignore it. "Will we be setting up camp near here?"
Aedan grinned. "We'll be over there." He pointed to a clearing that would accommodate all of them.
Something close to a smile hovered on Sten's lips and then, with a nod, he walked over to the dwarf. The rest of the group made their way to the area and began setting up camp as dusk darkened the sky. "Do you think we'd make it to Redcliffe before nightfall? We could pick up Sten's sword and be back at camp early in the morning. Also, I should go and pay my respects to Arl Eamon."

Bodahn approached them. "I couldn't help overhearing you, and if there are only two or three of you going, then I could drive you down there in the cart."
Aedan shouted over to Alistair. "Are you up for a trip to Redcliffe? It might be better if you're there to do the introductions."
The young warrior gave a nod and twenty minutes later, Aedan, Alistair, and Emma climbed into the back of the cart. They'd each brought a blanket which they tucked in around their legs, then with a click of the tongue, Bodahn got the cart moving and set off down the mountain path.