Chapter 102
The sound of merriment and raucous laughter filled the Hanged Man as Varric finished telling one of his tales. Emma took a mouthful of ale, still chuckling and thinking that Varric's reputation as a storyteller was well-deserved. "Is there something on my face, Feathers?"
Aedan raised an inquiring brow. "Feathers?"
Varric looked over to Merrill. "Daisy, tell the Warden what you would name your griffon."
The elven mage smiled innocently. "Oh, if I had a pet griffon, I'd call him Feathers."
Emma burst out laughing. "That's perfect, Merrill."
"Anyway, back to my initial question. Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Well, I've never seen a dwarf without a beard before."
Emma thought of something a friend had once told her, and being slightly tipsy, she just blurted it out. "Oh, it's because his beard thought his face was too handsome to cover up, so it took up residence on his chest instead." She wasn't sure she'd got the words exactly right, but she was certain that was the gist of the comment. Varric stared at her for a moment, and then burst out laughing, slapping his hand against the table at the joke. "Oh, that's a good one. I might even use that in a story." His words reminded her of something she'd always wanted, and she asked him for an autographed copy of Hard in Hightown, which he gave her with a chuckle.
Carver, who looked relaxed and happy for once, asked Aedan if he had any good stories from when he was defeating the Blight. Aedan glanced sideways at Emma, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, the first time I saw Emma fight, she held her staff in both hands, and beat the crap out of the wolves attacking us."
Emma groaned and dropped her head in her hands. "Why did you have to tell them that story? I'm sure I had better moments than that."
Aedan chuckled. "You're right. There was that time you jumped into a river, and then ran back out when you realised how cold it was, and most of the camp saw you naked."
"Oh, that's much better, thanks." She slapped him playfully on the arm.
Carver looked a bit disgruntled at the lack of action. "But what about the fights you were in? I hear you took down a Broodmother?"
Varric smiled and shook his head. "Kid, those are the type of fights people would rather forget about."
A game of Wicked Grace was soon underway, and Emma was glad that Zev had taught her the basics of the game, although Varric and Isabela pointed out that her poker face was terrible. After losing at a couple of games, she sat back, content to just watch and listen to the conversation. Aedan dropped out after the next round and he leaned into Emma. "I can't concentrate – every time Fenris speaks I get distracted, and I keep thinking of that phrase you shouted when we killed the dragon. What was it again?"
Emma whispered the words to him, and due to the amount of alcohol he'd imbibed, he repeated them in a slightly louder voice than he had intended. "Taarsidath-an halsaam." Fenris looked up quickly, his eyes wide, and a slight flush on his cheeks. Emma burst out laughing and smugly explained to Aedan that Fenris had some knowledge of Qunlat. Aedan groaned, his own face heating up. "You could have told me that before, Angel."
She sniggered. "Well, this is what you get for telling those stories about me." She stood up, pulling Aedan with her. "If you'll excuse us, I think we could do with some fresh air."
Varric nodded. "Okay, but will someone translate what Feathers said? I have a feeling I just missed out on something good."
Emma shook her head. "I'll let Fenris tell you."
They stepped out into the cool night air, and a full moon lit the way for them as they wandered through the streets until she led him down a steep flight of stairs heading towards the docks. "Why is that area blocked off?"
Emma followed his pointing finger. "The Qunari are camped there at the moment."
"Is Sten there?"
"Unfortunately not, but the Arishok is."
Aedan frowned. "That can't be good. I can't see him leaving Par Vollen unless there was a damn good reason."
"Yeah. It's not going to end well, and unfortunately, I don't think there is anything we can do to help. This is something that Hawke and his friends will have to deal with."
Aedan sat down on the steps, and Emma sat between his legs, resting her head against his chest, and for a while, they were content to watch the reflection of the moon shimmer across the sea. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "This is a nice quiet spot." Turning his head slightly, he teased the shell of her ear with the tip of his tongue, before travelling down the length of her neck. She sighed and tilted her head to the side to allow him better access. His hands slipped beneath her tunic to cup her breasts, and his fingers stroked over the silken material of her bra, causing her to squirm with need. His mouth found hers, muffling the hungry whimpers that fell from her lips as he pulled his hands free and lifted her onto his lap, turning her around to face him. Her knees rested against the cool smooth stone, but she felt no discomfort, only a desperate desire to have him inside of her.
Emma smoothed her hands down his torso, feeling the ripple of muscles beneath the shirt, and her fingertips brushed against tight pebbled discs as she moved lower. A teasing scrape of nails at the waistband, and then she slid her hand over his firm erection which pressed greedily against the soft leather. He groaned, and hitched his hips forward, pushing his aching cock into her touch. With a growl and a sharp tug, he ripped her knickers off, and she freed him from the confines of his trousers. She reached down and massaged his cock with long, slow strokes, enjoying the feel of the hot velvet skin beneath her fingers. She positioned the flushed head against her wet sex, and then slowly lowered herself, moaning with pleasure as she took him to the hilt.
"Oh, Maker, I love being inside of you," he whispered as he wrapped her up in his arms. He captured her lips, kissing her passionately, his tongue tangling with hers. She responded with equal fervour, gripping his shoulders and riding him with abandon. He roughly pushed up her tunic and dragged the cups of the bra down to release her breasts, so that he could taste and tease the soft skin. His tongue slid around the areola before moving inward and sucking on the bud. She exhaled sharply at the pleasurable sensation that shot down to her groin, and her fingers dug into his firm muscled back. His large hand stroked and squeezed her other breast, and warm fingers tugged at the nipple, drawing a needy whimper from her. "Harder! Oh, God, yes!"
All too soon the familiar tingling spread throughout her body, and she rolled her hips seeking a rougher touch to her clitoris. Aedan's hands dropped to her ass, and he pulled her tightly against him, sinking deeper into her, providing the extra pressure she needed. Her eyes widened and her head jerked back as a powerful orgasm roared through her body, tightening her muscles and stealing her breath. Aedan's fingers dug into her hips, and he uttered a long, deep groan as his cock throbbed and spilt within her. He rested his forehead against hers. "I think I like Kirkwall."
The next morning, they found Varric sitting at a table eating breakfast. He beckoned them over. "So, how long are you guys going to be staying around?"
"Not long. We have a couple of things to do, and then we'll be heading back to Ferelden."
Varric took a drink from the mug at his side. "Are you sure you don't fancy a trip to the Deep Roads?"
Aedan chuckled and shook his head. "No, thanks. We've had our fill of the Deep Roads."
Varric gave an understanding nod. "Anders said the same thing." He looked into his mug of ale, a contemplative expression on his face. "I'm not claiming to have the same gift as you," he said as he glanced up at Emma, "but I have a feeling there's a storm on the way, and we might need some help."
Emma met his gaze. "You've got good instincts, Varric. When you need us, we'll be here, but for the most part, the task of keeping this city safe will fall to Hawke and the friends that he's gathered around him."
The dwarf took another mouthful of ale. "I guess it's his time to shine, huh?"
She chuckled. "Something like that."
He sighed. "I didn't even get time to think of a nickname for you, Emma."
She patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Varric. You've got plenty of time to think of one before we meet again."
