Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Vhenan'ara	By : Arcanis_Born Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 6576 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from this.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Dragon Age: Origins is owned by Bioware, as with all its characters, the story as it deviates from canon is mine, however, as with the personalities of characters as they deviate from those in the game.
Thank you all so much for your continued readership! It means so much! And a BIG thank you to everyone who leaves a review!
Translations:
Mi bella: Antivan. "My beauty." Endearment Zevran uses for Riel.
Messerre: King's Tongue. A title of respect similar to "mistress" or "lord."
Andaran ma'lathin: Elvhen. "Enter/welcome my love."

"Twelve silvers and not a copper less, you blighted elf!" the scavenger cursed, eyeing Zevran up and down as if he were sizing him up for a mark.
"You drive a hard bargain, but it seems that I will have to agree," Zevran smiled, his voice friendly even though he wished to gut the sniveling weasel before him.
"Damn right you do!" the man growled, holding out his hand.
Reluctantly Zevran parted with the coins, dropping them in the scavenger's dirty hand before walking away with his meager goods. It wasn't much; a few elfroots, cloth for bandages, and even a low quality poultice. Yet they were needed supplies for when he and Riel travelled west to Orzammar. Zevran had better luck with the merchant at the Circle tower, gaining several potions for his coin. However, Zevran wanted to limit his time there in case the Templars decided to start asking questions that he didn't want to answer.
Zevran had hoped to get some dried food from the Inn, however the man who owned the building flat out refused to let Zevran even enter, threatening to call the Templars if Zevran didn't leave. Apparently the events involving Riel the other day had pushed the man to his limit when it came to both he and his lovely Warden. Disappointed, he now needed to hurry back to the small camp where his Riel still slept.
Even if given good weather and few enemies, it would still take several days of travelling west to reach the Frostback Mountains, where the entrance to the dwarven city laid. It was there that Leliana had said that she would meet up with the two of them, and where the next leg of their journey against the Blight compelled them to go. And although the supplies that she had gifted them that first night would go a long way in helping to get there, Zevran did not want to take any chances.
Which is why he reluctantly left her warm body and ordered the mabari to be extra vigilant in protecting his mistress. Hidden away in the valley of a few small hills, the campsite he had chosen for the two of them the other day wasn't far from the Inn near the lake. However Zevran was anxious about the increased Templar presence since the incident at the Circle. With rumors of escaped blood mages, apostates, and abominations, the Templars were interviewing everyone, searching for possible leads. Which only made Zevran even more anxious to pack up his Riel and move her even further away.
To convince her of that though without adding to her own worry - that was the trick. The weight of all Ferelden already weighed heavily on her slender shoulders, and he wasn't about to add a bunch of overzealous Templars to her worries. Which is why Zevran was currently doing his best to gather as many supplies as he could before whisking her away from their nosy investigations.
"Good evening, friend. I recognize you from the Lady Riel's entourage."
Zevran eyed the mage who called out to him. He was one of the mages who worked for the secretive group called the 'Mages Collective'; a small yet connected group who worked to protect mages interests in Ferelden under the radar of the Templars. Or so they claimed. Leliana had first introduced Riel to their members in Denerim upon hearing that they were interested in skilled persons to help complete tasks. And with Riel being the person she was, of course she had agreed.
"Ah yes, good evening. Pardon my rudeness, however I am quite busy," Zevran quickly bowed, trying to keep his voice friendly. The last thing he or Riel needed was for any suspicious Templars to see him speaking with a possible mage or apostate. Not so soon after the incident at the Inn.
"If you have a moment, ser, it seems we have a mutual acquaintance who has taken an interest in your companions…" the human stated quickly, his eyes cold despite his generous smile.
Zevran focused on the mage, narrowing a deathly glare on the man. The Mages Collective claimed to have contacts throughout Thedas, yet there was only one group who would claim a connection to Zevran. And they were even more dangerous than the Templars for his precious Warden.
"Is that so?" Zevran smiled, belying the anger that boiled beneath his skin.
"Indeed. Normally we are the ones paying others for their services, however I was paid a rather nice sum to make sure that you - and only you - received this." The human reached into his pocket and Zevran immediately went for his blades at his back, causing the mage to startle and take a step back. In a blink, Zevran angled one of his blades at the man's throat with the other pointed directly over the heart.
"Forgive me, my friend, however I find that I am quite distracted today. Perhaps you would be so kind as to place whatever it is on that table there so I may see it for myself," Zevran replied, his light tone barely concealing the venom and threat behind his words.
"O-of.. of course, messere…" the man gulped as he slowly removed a small parchment from his pocket and placed it on the table.
Zevran stepped closer, keeping on eye on the human while he quickly inspected the parchment paper. It looked like any other letter, however the seal in the wax told Zevran all he needed to know about.
"Open the seal!" Zevran hissed, keeping his blades drawn on the human.
The human looked surprised and confused at first, but he nodded and quickly took the letter, cracking the seal and unfolding it. However, there was no puff of vapor or release of powder, meaning that the letter itself wasn't the assassination attempt. Perhaps a warning?
"D-do you.. you want me to read it, m-messere?" he stuttered, looking ready to piss his robes in fear.
Zevran sighed in disgust as he sheathed his daggers behind his back before snatching the letter from the mage's hands. "Luck is with you this day, my friend. Perhaps in the future though, it would be wise in the interest of health to avoid anything containing that particular seal," Zevran hissed before turning his back and walking off.
Poisoning the paper would be ineffectual, seeing as how many hands it would have to touch in order to reach his. And seeing as there was no trap upon opening the letter, Zevran knew that it was a warning meant to be read, not just simply received. Cursing, he marched off into the shadows. Once Zevran was sure that he was out of sight of the Inn and the dock leading to the tower, he pulled out the paper and unfolded it.
A swell of bitter anger consumed Zevran as his eyes danced across the beautifully written words. What the cursive script described was far worse than he had imagined, igniting every protective and murderous instincts that Zevran contained. Void take them all! Zevran cursed to himself as he stuffed the letter back into his side pack.
Zevran knew that he was a fool to think that he was free of them. That he could hide in Ferelden under the banner of the Grey Wardens, the very ones who he was sent to kill. And now it seemed as if past friends have caught up with him and were determined to finish old business.
Cursing once more, Zevran knew he couldn't wait any longer before moving his Riel from the hidden campsite. He didn't dare to bring her to Redcliff. Not with that demon and those Templars marching about due to the increase of mages. Orzammar wasn't much better, truth be told. True the dwarves had an immunity to magic so the threat from Templars was minimal, however the carta and coterie there were nearly as connected as his friends. And while Zevran knew he was excellent with his blades, he also knew that he would have an easier time protecting Riel once the others joined with them in just under two weeks.
So that left only one option - to keep moving. To lose both himself and Riel within the wilderness and mountains of the area far away from any town or city where they could be recognized by those who would not question to commit any sort of horrid act for the right amount of coin.
Zevran forced his breathing under control before he continued on to the camp where Riel waited for him. Already she suffered under such a terrible weight of the Blight and war with Loghain. To add this to her shoulders would be a crime Zevran could not commit. She was to be his wife, and it was his job as her husband to protect her. Having her beautiful silver eyes searching the shadows for yet another enemy was unfair to her. Not when he knew their tricks better than anyone and was more than capable of watching for her.
After all, what better defence against an assassin than another assassin trained by the same master?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the time that Riel awoke again, it was dark outside. The sound of the waves beyond the tent beating against the shore mixed with the quiet chirping of crickets and other nighttime activities. Outside, Riel could see the light of a fire burning, the soft crackling sound of the wood a familiar and comforting balm to Riel's senses. Rolling over onto her back, Riel was surprised to see that was alone in the tent.
Zevran's absence from the tent hit a strange cord within Riel. It had been many days since Riel had awoken by herself, and the feeling disconcerted her. Sitting up, Riel pulled her tunic and small clothes to herself and quickly got dressed. However when she got to her leathers, she wondered if she should bother. It wasn't as if they were going to be travelling anywhere right now. Not with it being dark out, at least.
Suddenly, Riel realized that she had no clue about where the others were or what they were doing. She had been so wrapped up in her own feelings and the things with Zevran, that she hadn't even asked about her other companions. Heat rising to her face, Riel put her leathers aside and stepped out of the tent. She needed to find Zevran and find out where everyone was, and what their plans were.
Stretching to her full height, Riel greeted her hound with a friendly pet before taking in the area around her. Nestled in a small alcove by the shore, the area was shielded on almost three sides by small hills. Off in the distance across the lake, the island where the Circle Tower rested could still be seen despite the failing light. Riel shivered when she thought of the place, remembering the awful nightmares and demons they encountered there.
Great. Now I have another reason to hate the place she mused bitterly as she walked over to the fire. The flames were going strong and there was still a fair amount of wood to be seen, so that meant Zevran couldn't have been gone long. Left untended for too long, a small campside fire didn't last long. However, much of her memory from the night they returned to the Inn was still a blur to her, and so she had no clue how far away Zevran had taken her that night.
Not knowing where he was caused a strange ache in Riel's chest. And it wasn't just him, either. Over the past few months, all of her companions have somehow become a part of her everyday day life and thinking. Even Alistair, as bizarre as that was to her mind. Each new day brought something new for Riel to consider and act upon, whether it was which direction to take, who to take watch, or whose turn it was to keep Morrigan from outright murdering Alistair.
Here…. All there was was the crackling of the fire and the slight snore of her hound lazing beside it.
And while Riel supposed that she should find the peace restful, she couldn't help but worry over her companions and where they were.
Did they go to Redcliff? Seems like the most logical thing. Irving said that they would travel there as soon as they could to help with the boy Connor. Not to mention that Riel doubted that Alistair would abandon his uncle and nephew in such a state. Riel wondered what the others would say to Teagan about her absence, though. And whether the ashes they found would really help Eamon, if he indeed still lived at all.
Riel sighed as she sat down by the fire, pulling her knees up to her chest. Zevran was right, there was still a lot of work still to do. Forming an alliance with the dwarves and the Dalish elves were only really the beginning. Judging from the pattern this blasted war was taking, no doubt there were problems that needed to be solved on both those ends as well. And then there was the problem of dealing with Loghain on top of all that.
All which needed to be done before Riel could face off against the Darkspawn and the Archdemon that led them. On a dwindling timeline, no less. After all, it wasn't as if the Archdemon was just going to sit around and wait for an army to be built against it. Riel's nightmares were proof enough of that.
Yes, it wasn't just the horrid dreams of former masters and unwelcome and painful touches that woke Riel in the middle of night drenched in sweat. Being a Warden also carried along the perk of being connected to the Archdemon itself, sensing it as she could sense the Darkspawn. Only in her dreams, she could almost feel it talking to her.
Which was another reason why Riel dreaded the underground tunnels known as the Deep Roads. Ever since the First Blight when the Darkspawn first appeared, the dwarves who built the massive marvels of engineering had lost major ground to the foul beasts. Now much of their old territory was crawling with Darkspawn, with only a few remaining cities remaining of the once great dwarven empire.
"Mythal… guide me…." Riel whispered to the ancient Elvhen goddess.
Out of all the Creator gods that Riel had learned about since joining the Dalish, Mythal - the goddess of protection, family, and hearth - was the one Riel enjoyed learning about most. Her beauty and kindness called out to Riel, and in some strange way she always felt connected to the goddess.
"It seems I was not quick enough in my tasks, mi bella…."
Riel turned her head and smiled, a feeling of relief and happiness washing over her at the thick Antivan accent. Approaching her out the darkness beyond the fire she spotted the familiar predatory gait of Zevran, his timing almost an answer from Mythal herself.
"Andaran ma'lathin," beamed Riel as she stood.
"Such a warm greeting from a woman so lovely," Zevran purred, pulling Riel against him and placing a soft kiss against her lips. "You honor me, mi bella."
"When I awoke and found you gone, I was worried… Did you go back to the Circle?" Riel asked quickly, trying to not get distracted by the feel of his warm body against hers.
"Forgive me for not being here, however I went to see what the news was as well as gain a few supplies for our travels."
Even without the explanation, Riel could easily find herself forgiving him for leaving as she felt his strong arms circle around her waist and hold her close. Riel sighed happily against his chest, surprised at the amount of relief she felt just being in his arms gave to her. It was if all her earlier worries seemed less pressing now that he was holding her. Even the idea of Templars and what happened at the Inn seemed far away to her at that moment.
"I hope that I didn't cause you too much worry mi bella."
"No," Riel answered, straightening to look up at him.
Strange how much could change in just a matter of weeks, Riel mused to herself. Days even, when she thought about it. How long had it been since Zevran's ambush on Riel and the others? How long since he had come upon her at the river outside of Haven and he learned of her secret? Since Honnleath when he started sharing her tent with her? The more Riel thought about it, the more she realized just how short of time the two of them had known each other. Going from enemies ready to kill each other, to now in love and promised to be wed. Riel would never had believed such a thing if someone had told her just half a year ago that something like this would happen to her. She probably would have fought the person and tried running in the opposite direction, in fact. Away from the idea of soft touches and whispered words and a deep love that she couldn't even begin to understand let alone explain.
Perhaps Mythal had answered her prayers afterall. In the form of a charming, laughing handsome elf assassin with sun kissed skin and eyes the color of honey infused amber. A man who tested her patience, her anger, and her veritable views of the world and how it worked. And yet somehow made everything make so much sense at the exact same time.
"I did worry a bit while you were gone, but I had Fen with me," Riel added, a smile on her face.
"Well I am glad that I left you in such good company then," he laughed, motioning down to the hound by the fire.
"Did you find anything out?" Riel asked, going serious for a moment.
"Some…" Zevran replied with a sigh, debating with himself on how much he should reveal to her. And how exactly he was going to broach the subject of their need to travel so soon without worrying her.
Riel stared at him as silence filled the small space between them as Zevran struggled for words. "They know, don't they?" Riel's voice was hard as a sharp fear came over her. "The Templars. They know about me and my magic…." Riel's head lowered into her hands as she again cursed herself and the power that hid inside of her. She may not remember exactly what happened at the Inn, but why else would they be out here hiding?
"No, no they don't," he replied quickly. Still she shook her head, fear welling up.
"How could they not?! Oh dear Creators, does everyone else know? Leliana? Morrigan? Alistair?"
Riel was in full panic now. To have so many know about her curse, not just friends but Templars and even an active member of the Circle…. Perhaps Leliana and Morrigan wouldn't turn her into the Chantry and its rules. However Alistair trained as a Templar before becoming a Grey Warden. And Sten had once remarked about how the Qunari actually leash their mages, trapping them within their bodies and only used when they were needed. Wynne might even tell the Templars herself, being a mage who spent her whole life amongst them!
"Oh by the Creators! They are going to come for me, aren't they?" she cried out, hyperventilating from the fear that clutched at her chest. "That's what you were doing! You were finding out how close they were in finding me! Why else would everyone have left, going to Redcliff alone? Mythal help me, I need to leave!" Riel exclaimed in horror, trying to pull away from Zevran. She needed to pack everything up and escape. Did she even have time for that? How close were they to the tower? Did the Templars know where they were even now?
"Mi bella! No one is coming after you, I swear it!" Zevran hurriedly replied, holding fast to her even as she struggled. "I would never let them come for you!"
"But they know, don't they Zevran? They know about me and this curse upon me!" Riel was crying now, hysterics clouding her mind just as tears clouded her sight.
"Riel, please, listen to me!" Zevran firmly yet gently took hold of her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. The look of pure fear he saw in her eyes twisted his stomach and called out his protective instincts demanding that he care for this precious woman. "The Templars do not know of you. I and the others made sure of it. And even if they did, I would never let them hurt you, mi bella. You must believe that."
"But the others? Leliana? Morrigan?"
Zevran sighed before he answered, hating it. "Yes, they know." Riel tried struggling in his arms again, yet he gently held her still. "However, it doesn't matter to them. Not to Leliana or the mages. Not to the rock giant Shale. Sten only mumbled in his own language yet said nothing else."
"What of Alistair? He was a Templar, Zevran!" Riel interrupted, barely containing herself.
"Grey Warden or no, I will gut him if even thinks of alerting his former brothers of you, mi bella. There is nothing - nothing - that I would not do to keep you safe. Please, you must believe me."
Riel quit struggling against him and instead leapt into his arms. Fear, grief, guilt, and love swirled around inside of her as she held onto Zevran for dear life. Zevran held tightly to her, letting her tears come as she cried away her fears. He absolutely despised the amount of terror she lived in, and how he was powerless to do anything about it. Templars were a constant threat everywhere except the Imperium, where instead of magic being shunned it was celebrated. However, the cost of such a freedom often came in the form of power struggles, blood magic, and demonic deals for power over their fellow mages.
Templars in the Tevinter Imperium were nothing more than puppets to the mages who controlled everything, even the Chantry there. However, it was still a dangerous place for anyone who was not of status or played the dark and deadly games of power that permeated the culture there. In truth, there was no where in all of Thedas that a mage living outside of the Circle was safe. And even a great many of those within the many Circles were not safe, either.
However, Zevran knew he would take them all on just to keep his Warden happy and free from harm. Mage or no, he loved her. To him, she was simply Riel. His goddess. When it came to her, Zevran knew he would render the Maker himself unto the world if it meant keeping Riel free.
"The others," Riel whispered against his chest after several moments, her voice still wavering but calmer than it had been. "They left for Redcliff, didn't they?"
"Yes. Leliana came and spoke to me before they left. She said that they were going to go and help the child Connor, as well as do what they could for the arl. Afterwards, she said they would meet with us outside of Orzammar."
Riel shuddered against him, a release of tension escaping her body. She was then quiet for several minutes before her soft voice reached up to his ears. "I don't want to stay here, Zevran. Not so close to the Templars. Or the Circle. It's all just… too close…"
"Of course, mi bella. We can leave in the morning, or if you prefer, even this evening. I need you to know something, though, mi bella…" Zevran tilted her face up to meet his again. "You are safe with me."
"I know," she replied even as tears still ran down her cheeks. "And yet…"
"When do you want to leave?"
"Now."
- 20
- 21
- 22
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Vhenan'ara